The Local Land owning family, the Oakleys, built Dolawel (Dol - awel, meaning breeze on the meadow), as the residence for the Manager of their Slate Mine at the end of the 19th century. This mine is still in use today, and is still the largest Slate mine in the world. Close by is the former miners hospital and other senior managers houses. Today, all of these buildings

are now family homes in residential use, and several, like Dolawel, are in the process of being restored to their former glory.

Today, Dolawel Guest House is family owned and run by Alister and Pat Haveron. Many of the original house features are still in place or have been restored sympathetically, but modern additions to ensure the comfort of our guests have also been added. We serve a choice of hearty traditional breakfasts in the dining room, along with cereals and fruit juice. If you have any special dietary requirement, please let us know and we will try and cater for them.

The area

Blaenau Ffestiniogs importance in the past as a slate producing town is evident by the investment raised to build the Ffestiniog Railway - the world famous narrow gauge railway that meanders gracefully down the valleys to the coast at Porthmadog. Ffestiniog slate has been transported all over the world, even as far afield as Australia!

The value of slate today is probably greater now than at any other time, particularly with the present resurgence in its use for both architectural and decorative applications.

Today, the mining operations are less labour intensive, but a visit to the Llechwedd Mine - just a short distance from Dolawel Guest House - and you can step back in time - see the traditional slate workers skills demonstrated at the award winning visitors centre, then maybe take a guided tour down the slate caverns.

The Ffestiniog Railway runs return trips most days from Blaenau Ffestiniog (Check the links page for details); the station just a leisurely 10 minutes walk away from Dolawel. Your journey down the valley takes you past Portmeirion, the Italianate village and gardens designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis and made famous in the cult TV series 'The Prisoner'. Passengers can alight here and continue their journey after visiting the village. If walking is your passion, then there are few better places to be based. Here in the Moelwyn Mountains, there are lakes, cwms, and waterfalls a plenty - all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Snowdonia National Park. A short drive or

bus-ride away are castles, historical sights and beaches, as well as game and sea fishing.

And of course Wales wouldn't be Wales without Male Voice Choirs, and Blaenau Ffestiniog is lucky enough to have two prize winning choirs. The Moelwyn and the Brythoniad choirs are based here; practising weekly when not touring and visitors are always received with a warm welcome!