Charming leafy town with cosy coffee shops named one of the best places to visit this autumn

As autumn begins to roll in, those thinking about a seasonal escape should look towards Wales.

With crisp air, golden leaves crunching underfoot, and landscapes bursting with colour, the Welsh countryside becomes a breathtaking mix of reds, oranges and golds.

The country is full of perfect autumn spots where visitors can admire the scenery, sip hot chocolate in cosy cafés, and browse independent shops for local treats.

One particularly beautiful town is Betws-y-Coed, known for its alpine charm, stone buildings and pretty bridges.

Often called the gateway to Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), its name means “prayer house in the woods” and is thought to come from the 14th-century St Michael’s Church, where ancient yew trees have stood for more than 500 years.

For centuries, St Michael’s Church was the heart of the community until the village grew. In 1873, the larger St Mary’s Church was built to take its place.

Both churches, along with the railway station completed in 1869, were designed by Owen Gethin Jones, a well-known local figure.

When new roads and railways arrived, they completely changed Betws-y-Coed, drawing artists, poets and writers to the area, inspired by the fresh mountain air and forest views. Before long, the town became Britain’s first artists’ colony, a place where creativity thrived.

By the time of the Victorian era, this once quiet village had turned into a fashionable holiday destination for wealthy visitors looking for rest and relaxation.

Hotels began to appear, offering horse-drawn carriage tours to show off the area’s natural beauty. By the 1930s, steam trains were bringing factory workers from Lancashire to Betws-y-Coed, giving them a peaceful countryside break away from the busy city.

Remember - LeaveNoTrace!

As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!

Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.

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