Welsh Highland Railway (Porthmadog),
Tremadog Road,
Porthmadog,
LL49 9DY
Tel: 01766 513402
Fax: 01766 513402
Email: info@whr.co.uk
Web: http://www.whr.co.uk
Map Link: Here

The Welsh Highland Railway (Porthmadog) is a small, friendly railway where the train ride is just part of the experience. Our vintage train also stops at the sheds, where you can get off for a guided, hands on tour.

Our trains are pulled by vintage steam locomotives, or by heritage diesel engines. Climb on board one of our old fashioned carriages, some of which are over 100 years old. You could travel in the coach that used to carry bombs, or see where the Prime Minister sat when he visited the railway in 1892!

A countryside extension takes us past the future Pen-y-Mount Junction, and along the original WHR trackbed to a temporary terminus at Traeth Mawr. Look out of the window and see the mountains and towering cliffs. At the end of the line, the train pauses so that you can enjoy the quiet meadows full of Welsh sheep, and perhaps see rock climbers on the Tremadog cliffs to the West.

On the return journey, the train stops at the sheds, where you get a free guided tour. Climb into the cab of our steam locomotive "Karen" and find out what makes her a tank engine. Meet "Beano" the horse and see how narrow gauge railways worked before steam locomotives came along....

....You can also sit at the controls of our small blue shunting locomotive and discover why you drive it sideways. Or climb into the cab of one of the largest narrow gauge engines in the UK.

Outside the sheds, have a go at working the buttons and switches inside our diesel shunter "Badco". On certain selected days, you can also have a ride on our new miniature railway.

Back at Porthmadog (WHR) Station, you can browse in one of the best railway book and souvenir shops in Britain, or enjoy a snack or meal in the “Russell Tea Room”.

Royal Sportsman Hotel Porthmadog 01766 512015 www.royalsportsman.co.uk 10% off standard room rate
Isallt Guest House Blaenau Ffestiniog 01766 832488 www.isallt.com 10% off 2 nights or more
Wenydd B&B Minffordd, Porthmadog 01766 771542 http://snipurl.com/1qytc 10% off. Other offers also available. Please phone for details.
Tyddyn Iolyn Farmhouse Pentrefelyn, Criccieth 01766 522509 http://www.tyddyn-iolyn.co.uk 10% off 2 nights or more
The Don Bed & Breakfast Blaenau Ffestiniog 01766 831032 www.the-don.biz 10% off

Your GLTW Discount Card also entitles you to discounts at these accommodation providers. Please Note: You must disclose that you are a GLTW card holder at the time of booking and show your card on arrival.

Whilst you are in the area, why not visit some of the other nearby places of interest:-

• The closest beach to Porthmadog is at the sleepy, seaside village of Borth y Gest. This small resort is older than its neighbour, and two hundred years ago it was the regular haunt of smugglers. There was once a thriving boat building business here. A walk round the bay takes you to a clifftop path which leads, in a few minutes, to small, sandy coves. Borth y Gest is a short walk from Porthmadog harbour, but it also has its own car park. Two miles away in Morfa Bychan is Black Rock Sands, a popular wide sandy beach with a rocky headland at the western end of the beach and a backdrop of sand dunes that are a site of special scientific interest. When the tide recedes you can explore the rock pools and exposed caverns.

• Portmeirion, stands on a rugged clifftop on its own private peninsula overlooking Cardigan Bay. It is surrounded by 145 acres of sub-tropical woodlands and miles of sandy beaches. Portmeirion was built by visionary Welsh architect, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, who wanted to prove that development did not have to mean destruction of the natural environment. He started work in 1925 and completed the village during the early 1970's. He died in 1978, aged 95. Portmeirion is now acknowledged as a unique architectural work of art. Many know Portmeirion for its role as "The Village" in Patrick McGoohan's television series "The Prisoner". It is also known for the Portmeirion Pottery, designed by Clough's daughter Susan Williams-Ellis (1918-1997).

• The Glaslyn Osprey Project is less than three miles from Porthmadog, and is the place to see the only pair of breeding ospreys in Wales.

  Through telescopes at the viewpoint you can enjoy watching these impressive birds as they carry food to their developing chicks. You may even be lucky enough to catch the youngsters first flights.

  Three large, widescreen plasma monitors in the hide broadcast live images and sound directly from the nest, getting you even closer to the nesting family.

  As you watch the ospreys, don't forget to also take in the amazing views of Snowdonia and surrounding mountain ranges. Glaslyn Valley offers you some of the most scenic and wildlife rich areas in Wales.

  Over 180,000 people have visited the Glaslyn osprey project since the birds first arrived in 2004.