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Town in Gwynedd, Wales
Photo: George Tod, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Bala (Welsh: Y Bala) is a picturesque town of 2,000 people (2021) on the shores of Lake Bala (Welsh: Llyn Tegid) in Gwynedd, North Wales. It lies at the south-eastern edge of the Snowdonia National Park. Excellent national centre for white water rafting and canoeing nearby.
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Llyn Tegid
3.7-mile-long glacial valley lake
Canolfan Tryweryn
White-water rafting and canoeing on the River Tryweryn. The flow of water in the river is governed by a dam controlling the flow of water from the Llyn Celyn reservoir, meaning that conditions in the water are predictable, though this does not make the experience any less exhilarating once you are actually on the river!
Aran Fawddwy, at the southern end of Bala Lake, is the highest mountain in the old county of Meirionydd (Merionethshire, the southern part of the modern county of Gwynedd). Bala is the main centre for walking in the Aran and Arenig mountain ranges, which are considerably less frequented by walkers than Cadair Idris to the south or the ranges around Snowdon in the north of Snowdonia, and can therefore offer a peaceful days walk.
It is possible to fish Bala Lake from a boat or from the shore. River Angling is also available in the area.
Held in Bala on three occasions, including 2009. An Eisteddfod is a traditional festival of literature, music and performance, conducted in the Welsh language.
Siop y Gornel, Chwarae Teg, Fair Play
A delightful, refurbished, more than 200-year-old bake-house deli, has life breathed once more into it. Offering freshly prepared on the premises; homemade soup and specials of the day, along with carvery baps of butcher-roasted joints. Try the oven-baked meats and farm-house cakes, made from natural local ingredients. Freshly ground coffee beans.
Palé Hall is a privately owned luxurious Victorian country manor near Bala in North Wales, set amongst 16 acres of gardens on the edge of Snowdonia National Park.
A five-star holiday park with caravans and lodges set in woodland scenery. Has a beautiful collection of holiday homes set in stunning natural surroundings.
Ty Newydd Bed and Breakfast Bala
Offering two double rooms, one with en-suite and one with its own private bathroom. Decorated to a high standard all rooms have a TV, and wireless internet access with tea and coffee available on request. Off-street parking is also available. Ty Newydd has a no-smoking policy throughout.
Camping and caravan site at the south end of Bala Lake, open May-Oct.
Mefus Yr Haf
A shop selling gifts, complemented by a range of greeting cards. Stockists of Gisela Graham and Yankee Candle.
Welsh bookshop selling much more besides Welsh books.
By bus
Bala is served by TrawsCymru T3, between Wrexham and Barmouth. Connections with services from South Wales and North-West Wales can be made at Dolgellau.
By train
Bala is not connected to the national rail network. The nearest connections are at Wrexham or Blaenau Ffestiniog.
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Liverpool · International · LPL
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