Abercelyn Country House is a Grade-II listed, former rectory built in 1729

Visit Wales (WTB)

Country House (5-Star)
and Cottages (4/5-Star)

Five Star rating by Visit Wales

 

Improvements at Abercelyn have been assisted by Visit Wales

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About Us

Mrs Lindsay Hind

Abercelyn Country House

& Cottages

Llanycil, Bala, LL23 7YF

Gwynedd, Wales, UK

Phone: 01678 521109

Phone (int.): +44 1678 521109

Fax: 01678 520848

Fax (int.): +44 1678 520848

 E-mail: info@abercelyn.co.uk

 

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Abercelyn is located near Bala in Snowdonia, Wales, UK

Bala is located in the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales, UK

The Snowdonia National Park provides outstanding opportunities for mountain walking, white-water-rafting, mountain biking, sailing and more

Walkers WelcomeCyclists Welcome

Green Dragon Environmental Award

Green Dragon Award

Credit and Debit cards accepted

Terms & Conditions

Bed and Breakfast in Snowdonia

Self catering in Snowdonia

Cottages in Snowdonia

Biking in Snowdonia

Guided walking in Snowdonia

Self-guided walking in Snowdonia

Things to do in Snowdonia

Things to do around Bala

© 2005 Abercelyn Country House

Outdoor activities in the Bala area


We offer guided walking and canoeing at special prices for Abercelyn guests and we can book rafting sessions at advantageous prices, for example:

Whitewater Rafting Prices

Raft sessions with a guide in the raft (min 4, max 7) lasting 2 hours, normally 4 runs:

  • Extravagance Midweek: £255/raft, including all equipment

  • Extravagance Weekend: £330/raft, including all equipment

  • Extravagance Weekend: £285/raft, including all equipment (early session, 0830 or 0900)

Orca (2-man raft) sessions for the adventurous with a guide nearby in a kayak:

  • Orca Adventure half-day: £77/person, minimum of 2, including all equipment

  • Orca Adventure full-day: £110/person, minimum of 4, including all equipment

The above rafting prices include all equipment, buoyancy aids, crash hats, wet suits and footwear.

Guided Walking with a qualified Mountain Leader:

  • Half-day: £40, e.g. scenic walk

  • Day: £60, e.g. high-level route

Kayaking with a qualified BCU Coach:

  • Half-day: £40

  • Day: £60

  • Kayaks, paddles, buoyancy aids: £10/person (up to 3)

  • Water fees £3-£5 if applicable

Canoeing/Open Boating: as above plus open boat hire (around £50/day for a large open boat)

The above prices are per group maximum 6 persons.

We can also assist with arranging many other activities including: off-road driving (4x4), quad trekking, go-karting, pony-trekking, and more.

Call to book or for more details: 01678-521109 (Lindsay or Ray)

White-water kayaking, canoeing and rafting

The National Whitewater Centre on the River Tryweryn, is less than 10 minutes by car from Abercelyn, and provides some of the best "reliable" white-water (grade 3-4) in the UK, with regular releases guaranteeing good water conditions. The River Tryweryn has hosted not only many national slalom & white-water racing events but also the World Championships in 1981 and 1995 and the Junior white-water racing World  Championships in 2002. The River Dee flows out of Lake Bala and further downstream the Serpent’s Tail and Llangollen Town Falls have hosted many national and internal slalom & white-water racing competitions. At Mile-End Mill in Llangollen there is a permanent white-water site.

Open canoe or sit-on kayak hire from Paddleworks or Bala Adventure & Watersports.

White-water rafting on the River Tryweryn is available from the National White-water Centre and Influence Rafting.
 

At Llangollen, JJ Canoeing and Pro Adventure provide canoe, kayak and rafting including courses on the River Dee, at Mile-End Mill. Llangollen is around 30 minutes drive from Abercelyn.

Lake Bala is an ideal venue for beginners or for more experienced paddlers to work on paddling technique before venturing to the River Tryweryn or Dee. Bala Adventure & Watersports Centre, located on Bala Lake Foreshore, have canoes and kayaks for rent and also provide courses.


Sailing

Lake Bala, the largest natural lake in Wales, is a very popular venue for sailing. Access is provided at the Lake Foreshore only a few minutes from Abercelyn. Bala Adventure & Watersports Centre, located on Bala Lake Foreshore, have windsurfers, dinghies and catamarans for rent and also provide courses. They also have a large sailing boat which will take up to seven adults for a cruise on the lake.

The Bala Sailing Club is located on the north-east end of Bala Lake only 5 minutes drive from Abercelyn.


Biking

There are several quiet local roads for cycling, e.g. around Lake Bala and the Dee valley and also quiet roads over mountain passes with spectacular scenery. There are six “Bike Routes around Bala” which are signed. The Mawddach trail (18 km, 11 miles one-way) is car free and runs through the Mawddach estuary, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the country. There are many excellent locations for Mountain Biking in the Berwyns and Penllyn Forest near Bala and specialised mountain bike sites at Coed-y-Brenin Forest Park near Dollgelau, Gwydyr Forest Centre, Penmachno and Llandegla Forest.

Mountain bikes can be rented from the Bike shop in Bala (R H Roberts). More information on biking


Walking

Abercelyn is within the Snowdonia National Park and offers both strenuous walking or relaxed scenic walks suitable for young children. Mt. Snowdon, Cadair Idris and the Rhinogs are within easy travelling distance by car for a day’s walk. To the west of Bala is the Arenig mountain range with 13 summits above 2000 ft (610 m). To the east of Bala is the Berwyn mountain range with 24 summits above 2000 ft. To the south of Bala is the Aran mountain range with 14 summits above 2000 ft including the famous Aran ridge. A feature of local walking is that it is un-crowded. There are walks directly from Abercelyn and other local walks include lake walks which can be combined with a ride on the Bala Lake Steam Railway. More information


Rock Climbing & Abseiling

Bala Adventure & Watersports Centre provide instruction in rock climbing & abseiling in the Snowdonia National Park.


Orienteering

An easy route, suitable for beginners/children, and two harder routes at Coed-y-Brenin Forest Park near Dollgelau.


Other Activities:

High Ropes Course: Glan-llyn (5 minutes by car)

Get Wet (paintball, high ropes) Coed Craig-Crogen near Llandderfel  (15 minutes by car)

Canyoning with Influence (based in Bala at Yr Aran outdoor shop)

Adrenalin Antics from their location near Trawsfyndd (15 minutes by car) provide: Canyoning, gorge walking, cliff jumping, rock climbing, abseiling, raft building, mountain/hill walks, zip lines and more

 


Go to map showing outdoor activities near to Abercelyn

What's on around Bala

Canoeing: Paddleworks Shop in Bala                        Outdoors & Walking Shop in Bala: Yr Aran