The drive down from Chester, Mold and Ruthin down to Mid Wales on the A494 is a most pleasant drive passing through relaxing hilly country The White Lion Royal Hotel in Bala near Lake Bala provides suitable stop for refreshment. Bala is a busy little town frequented by many tourists who are either passing through are visiting Wales's largest natural lake, Lake Bala, a very popular tourist destination, which you pass on the way to Dolgellau and other parts of central Wales.

Dolgellau is a good place to pause if journeying down into Mid-Wales from the north-west. There are quite a few places to eat and find suitable refreshment. Crasdy'r Gader, in the market square? is a convenient bakery cafe and takeaway. Dolgellau is a solidly built small town, mostly using the grey slate or granite rocks.

Y Sospan Bwyty Restaurant and Ystafell Tea Rooms 'reside' in a building dated 1606. To the right of these is The Royal Ship Hotel and all three are just off the market square in the direction of the fine building of St Mary's Church.

The Kings YHA Youth Hostel near Penmaenpool, Wales,  is right down in a secluded valley on a narrow road between the Dolgellau to Ty-nant road and the Dolgellau to Fairborne road near Penmaenpool on the River Mawddach Estuary. It is a good base for exploring the Mawddach Estuary - Barmouth - Cader Idris region.

Penmaenpool, Mawddach Estuary, Wales: The 17th century George III Hotel at Penmaenpool, set on the banks of the lovely River Mawddach Estuary near the Toll Bridge across to Barmouth, four miles west of Dolgellau, Wales.