Betws y Coed Codi Pac

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-Welcome to Codi Pac.

-I'm Geraint Hardy,

-and I'm travelling across Wales...

-..to find some of our treasures.

-If you want a weekend away,

-you needn't travel far.

-It's all on the doorstep.

-Places to eat, places to stay,

-things to do and see.

-They're all here on Codi Pac.

-This week, I'm in Betws-y-Coed.

-A temporary stop for hikers,

-a haven for adventurers...

-..the gateway to Snowdonia

-and much, much more.

-Betws means chapel of ease,

-a small church or house of prayer.

-Betws-y-Coed means

-a house of prayer in the trees.

-It's a convenient place

-to stay in North Wales.

-Before finding my hotel, I went

-for a stroll with Edmwnd Rees...

-..from the local information centre.

-He knows quite a bit

-about the village's history.

-Edmwnd,

-we've gone past the train station.

-Where are we headed next?

-Where are we headed next?

-

-We're just passing the old church.

-St Michael's Old Church is

-Betws-y-Coed's original church.

-It dates back to the 14th Century.

-There was probably

-a church here before then.

-It does get used, but doesn't

-belong to the Church in Wales.

-The Friends of St Michael's Church

-look after it.

-They hold services here.

-A candlelit Christmas service.

-And on St Michael's Day

-in September.

-Here we are

-nearing the first bridge.

-Yes, the suspension bridge.

-Am I right to say that this was

-the main way in to Betws-y-Coed?

-Yes, it was one of the main ways...

-..for people to come to the church

-in Betws-y-Coed.

-People could make their way over

-to Pont Y Pair.

-The road came around the mountain

-over from Capel Garmon.

-They'd cross the river here

-on stepping stones.

-Those would be dangerous,

-particularly when there was a flood.

-During the First World War...

-..soldiers from the Royal Engineers

-were billeted here.

-They built a wooden bridge

-across the river here.

-It was short-lived. I think it was

-swept away in a flood in the 1920s.

-This bridge was then built

-in 1930 by the town council.

-Is there a record of when tourists

-started coming to Betws-y-Coed?

-I would have thought it started

-during the Napoleonic Wars.

-Before then, it was traditional

-for rich people...

-..to go on the Grand Tour of Europe.

-That period of war

-brought an end to that.

-People turned to places

-in this country to visit.

-The Lake District and Snowdonia

-were popular.

-As a result of all these people

-touring North Wales...

-..a lot of artists

-came to stay in Betws-y-Coed.

-Famous people like David Cox stayed

-at the Royal Oak and other places.

-They would create paintings

-and then people would see them.

-When the railway came

-to Betws in 1868...

-..that enabled more ordinary people

-to come here on holiday.

-Most of the artists

-were from wealthy families.

-Different people came then

-and the village grew.

-It grew to the size you see now.

-Most of the buildings were built

-shortly after the railway came here.

-A lot of people have done

-the hike that I'm doing today.

-Where do I go next?

-For which bridge do I aim?

-You can head up towards Pont Y Pair,

-over the Llugwy river.

-It's the village's oldest bridge.

-It dates back to the 15th century.

-If you fancy

-an extra two miles...

-..you can head up the river

-to Miners bridge.

-That's a wooden bridge

-built on an old Roman road.

-I've got quite a journey

-ahead of me today.

-It's a wonderful day

-so why not go for it.

-Thanks very much, Edmwnd

-for the history and advice.

-Are you heading back to the office?

-Are you heading back to the office?

-

-Yes. It was nice to meet you.

-Good luck with the programme

-and your journey.

-It's great to meet local people.

-They're full of interesting

-and useful local knowledge.

-Betws is a pretty village.

-The Conwy and Llugwy rivers

-are very popular attractions.

-Waterloo Bridge

-is well worth seeing.

-It was built by Thomas Telford.

-I'm walking out of the village,

-past Pont Y Pair.

-It's worth pausing here

-to enjoy the views.

-I head along the Llugwy river...

-..to another impressive bridge.

-The Miners Bridge

-was originally built...

-..for the men who worked

-at the nearby lead mines.

-It's the perfect spot

-to take a photograph.

-After the Miners Bridge...

-..it's worth the effort

-to visit the Swallow Falls...

-..about three miles west

-of Betws-y-Coed.

-It's been a popular attraction

-since the 19th century.

-Without a doubt, it's stunning.

-It's the perfect end

-to a wonderful hike.

-This really is beautiful.

-The next step of my journey

-is the Olif guesthouse.

-I've seen people throw coins

-into the water.

-Why not?

-After my long hike...

-..I can't think of a better place

-to put my head down than Olif.

-This guesthouse

-is also a Welsh tapas restaurant.

-It is apparently Betws-y-Coed's

-first boutique townhouse.

-Each en-suite bedroom

-has been designed individually.

-Mine is on the top floor.

-I'm already happy!

-Look at this.

-This looks like a French bed.

-There's Welsh tapestry on the bed.

-There's plenty of light in the room.

-This is clever,

-rather than fitting a cupboard...

-..they've kept it fresh and clean

-with a pole to hang your clothes.

-Let's check out the bathroom.

-It's nice and modern.

-There's a wonderful shower here.

-Dear me, check out this bath!

-In addition to bedrooms...

-..the restaurant is decorated simply

-with open fireplaces...

-..wooden floors

-and tasteful furniture.

-Mari and Aubrey Martin-Matthews

-own this wonderful place.

-Mari was raised in Manchester

-in a Welsh-speaking Lleyn family.

-For years,

-we've considered opening a B&B

-We collected recipes for years with

-a view to opening a restaurant.

-We saw this place

-and thought this was it.

-We decided that to start,

-we'd open a bed and breakfast.

-When we saw this place,

-it was nothing like it is now.

-We thought, it'll be a lot of work.

-We've had to renovate it all.

-Every wall, everything.

-It took time for us to do it.

-I thought it was worth it.

-I see that a lot of the things

-you have here are from Wales.

-Was that a deliberate choice?

-We thought it was important

-that we used local produce...

-..to support local businesses.

-The quality of food

-in North Wales...

-..indeed, throughout Wales,

-is amazing.

-We use Welsh produce

-for everything we can.

-We heard about this guy

-who produced Welsh chorizo.

-I thought why don't we do tapas.

-Then we can do all kinds of things

-to show off the Welsh food.

-We can showcase them

-in different ways.

-We wanted to do something

-a bit more quirky.

-Thanks for the chat, Mari,

-and thanks for letting me stay.

-Thank you.

-There are plenty of places

-to stay in Betws-y-Coed.

-Like this place.

-This is the Vagabond Bunkhouse.

-A lot of mountain bikers

-and young people stay here.

-There are also family rooms.

-The big question is,

-who gets the top bunk?

-People from all over the world

-have signed this flag.

-I think it's important

-for Codi Pac to sign it too.

-We move on now

-to The Ferns Guesthouse.

-It's run by Sarah Jones

-who is learning Welsh.

-Sarah, we're here at your hotel,

-The Ferns.

-Thanks for the welcome.

-For how long

-have you been learning Welsh?

-I've been learning Welsh

-for six years.

-From where do you come, originally?

-Originally, I lived in Oxford.

-Did you move here to Betws-y-Coed

-to run the hotel?

-Yes, my husband and I

-wanted to run the hotel.

-We also wanted a change.

-Do a lot of people

-come from abroad?

-People from all over the world

-come to stay here.

-We get a lot of people here...

-..who have travelled

-across the sea to The Ferns.

-A lot of people

-come from the Midlands.

-Around two years ago...

-..I had a lady from Japan

-staying at the house.

-It was quite interesting because

-the woman was learning Welsh.

-She was from Japan and spoke Welsh.

-She'd learned like you.

-She'd learned like you.

-

-Yes.

-I was impressed.

-What's the best thing about

-Betws-y-Coed in your opinion?

-Why do people come here?

-There are a lot of things to do

-in the village.

-You can go walking in the forest.

-You can walk along the river.

-You can play on Cae Llan.

-Of course, a lot of people

-want to walk up Snowdon.

-For you, do you speak Welsh

-in and around the village?

-Of course.

-I try.

-I like speaking Welsh

-with the ladies in the paper shop.

-I like to speak Welsh

-with the ladies in Spar...

-..when I'm buying bread and cakes.

-What advice would you give someone

-who wants to learn Welsh?

-I'm not sure what the Welsh is,

-but in English, go for it.

-"Cer amdani" - go for it.

-"Cer amdani" - go for it.

-

-Go for it.

-I'd like to take a picture,

-before I go, if that's OK?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-

-OK, one, two, three.

-If you need more information about

-places to stay head to our website.

-Ah, great. Wonderful.

-Great. Lovely.

-After a wonderful day in

-Betws-y-Coed, I'm a little tired.

-I'm lucky I can escape

-back to the hotel.

-I've had a relaxing day today

-in sunny Betws-y-Coed.

-In part two,

-things get more exciting.

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-After a good night's sleep, I face

-another busy day in Betws-y-Coed.

-First things first, breakfast!

-First things first, breakfast!

-

-Good morning!

-Here we go.

-Great, thanks.

-I'll put the toast there

-for a minute.

-It's a nice day, isn't it?

-Yes. What are you up to today?

-Have you planned?

-I'm going to Zipworld today.

-A bit of an adventure today.

-Eat that and rest for a bit.

-Thanks very much, Mari.

-Thanks very much, Mari.

-

-Sauce?

-I'm fine, thanks.

-Traditionally,

-the views and mountains...

-..attracted people

-to this part of North Wales.

-People come here

-to walk and climb mountains...

-..and to enjoy

-the breathtaking beaches.

-There are now new activities

-to appeal to a new breed of tourist.

-I'm looking forward

-to learning more from Rhys Watkin.

-Exactly what is Zipworld?

-It's a company that offers

-alternative experiences.

-There are three different locations.

-Can you explain

-the difference between them?

-This is Zipworld Fforest

-outside Betws-y-Coed.

-We offer a lot of experiences

-up in the trees.

-We have a site in Bethesda

-in Penrhyn Quarry.

-That's where the long Zipworld line

-that everyone's seen is.

-We also have the slate caverns

-in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

-They're similar,

-just set in old caves.

-A lot of fun.

-You're open all year too.

-If people travel from far, they can

-get here from the village for free.

-We offer a park and ride

-from Betws-y-Coed.

-If you fancy coming to Fforest...

-..you can jump on the park and ride

-and come on up.

-It looks like a lot of fun.

-Where do we start?

-We'll start on the nets.

-Let's go for it.

-There's a definite bounce.

-You're better at bouncing.

-The corners are the trick.

-The corners are the trick.

-

-The corners are hard.

-As you can see, there are paths

-that go around the forest.

-They lead to larger squares

-like this square.

-In some of the squares or rooms,

-there are balls.

-High knees! Boom boom!

-If you do come here

-with your children...

-..I'll say one thing,

-it's hard work.

-I'm out of breath.

-A tip from the top.

-Once you are tired...

-..this is the perfect place

-to lie down and enjoy the view.

-I don't need a hotel.

-I'll just sleep here.

-There's traffic on the road,

-down I go!

-Excuse me, excuse me.

-Since I was a young child,

-I've always enjoyed slides.

-There's only one way

-to finish the journey. Bye!

-Rhys, that was amazing.

-There is one small thing left.

-Yes, the plummet. Ready?

-Yes, the plummet. Ready?

-

-Yes.

-Before plummeting,

-you have to climb.

-You climb a 106-foot high tree.

-One, two, three.

-Oh, that's horrible.

-Thank heavens I'm safe.

-That excitement has made me hungry.

-There are lots of places to eat

-here in Betws-y-Coed.

-There's a wonderful coffee shop

-near the old station.

-Or you can enjoy

-an old-fashioned train carriage.

-After the excitement of Zipworld,

-relax at Betws-y-Coed's pizzeria.

-There's a warm welcome

-for the whole family.

-A percentage of profits go towards

-protecting animals like orang-utans.

-If it's cold,

-borrow a blanket to sit outside.

-As it's warm, I'll sunbathe!

-If you like ugly houses,

-there's one outside the village.

-If you prefer pub grub...

-..the Ty Gwyn

-is over the Waterloo Bridge.

-A warm, cosy place

-that offers traditional fare.

-Bye!

-It's been a full day

-to say the least.

-I've had some food.

-I'm travelling in style now.

-I'm on Betws-y-Coed's

-small steam train.

-It's perfect for the big kids,

-like me, and the small kids too.

-Choo-choo!

-After relaxing on the steam train,

-you can visit the museum.

-There's plenty of history

-and big children's toys.

-Next, we're heading out

-of Betws-y-Coed to Ffin y Parc.

-It's a grand house

-on the road to Llanrwst.

-It's a unique place

-that's worth a visit.

-I've heard a lot about this place.

-Everybody says it's worth a visit.

-That's certainly true

-as you walk in.

-Look at these great stairs

-and there's art on every wall.

-Over here, there's a small

-welcoming cafe in the sunlight.

-It's peaceful,

-relaxing and elegant.

-It's all encompassed in one place.

-This place is awesome.

-Rowland, Ffin Y Parc

-is an incredible building.

-Tell me some of its history.

-We moved here around ten years ago.

-We decided to open a gallery.

-We're now in our sixth year.

-We have a dozen different shows

-every year.

-Every month, we take everything

-off the walls and replace them.

-What kind of work

-do you accept here?

-Is there a theme?

-The artist has to have

-a link to Wales.

-They've either lived here

-or worked here.

-Some of them paint landscape.

-Some of them do portraits

-or abstract art.

-There's no overarching theme

-for all the work.

-But the artist

-must have some link with Wales.

-It's wonderful.

-What big or exciting names

-have you had displayed here?

-Chloe Holt, she's a young artist.

-She's attracting

-a lot of attention at the moment.

-And then there's Elfyn Jones.

-We also have Elfyn Lewis.

-We have two Elfyns.

-Elfyn Lewis is from Porthmadog,

-his work is exciting.

-He's won a gold medal

-at the Eisteddfod.

-A lot of people come here

-once or twice a week.

-There's a coffee shop here

-so people come to sit and chat.

-They view and buy

-what's on the walls.

-What kind of food do you do?

-We do tea and coffee.

-There's a selection of cakes

-every day.

-We make everything here.

-Between 12.00 and 2.30,

-we have sandwiches, quiche.

-There are specials every day.

-Soups, burgers, pasta, salads,

-that kind of stuff.

-Rowland, it's been a pleasure

-to be here today.

-I'm going to wander around

-the place. Thanks for the chat.

-It's been an adventure from start

-to finish here in Betws-y-Coed.

-I've found a haven.

-A quiet place to look back

-on my journey with a smile.

-S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.

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