This is the beautiful village with an incredible attraction tucked away among the trees
- UK Hidden Gems
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Nestled quietly in Gwynedd, Wales, this village sits by the river and hides far more than you might expect at first glance.
Located between Dolgellau and Machynlleth, this hidden gem is a lovely village with two amazing nearby attractions that make a brilliant surprise for any keen walker.
By following a winding path beside streams and through woodland, you will come across the Abercwmeiddaw quarry.
This striking site, found at Corris Uchaf, was once a slate quarry that operated from the 1840s until 1938.
You can reach it by walking from a lay by on the A487, taking the track towards Corris Uchaf and continuing along the bridleway.
The quarry remains were once used to help the Corris Railway transport goods to the Cambrian Railways. Today, they lie deep along a popular walking route where visitors can explore what used to stand there.
Writing about the route on AllTrails, one walker said: “Steep incline to start but rewarded with Little Italy, which was really cool! Beautiful path through the woods with other structures to look at.
“Through fields before entering the quarry. The binoculars are a must if you can clamber up the path. A small waterfall and farmlands to finish. Our favourite walk from a week in Wales – so much variation and interesting things to see!”
Hidden away in the countryside around the village is an unexpected gem: a tiny Italian style settlement built from detailed handmade models.
Known as Mark’s Folly, this unique spot contains replicas of famous Italian buildings and other well known landmarks, all carefully crafted over many years by the late Mark Bourne and his wife Muriel.
Local volunteers later discovered this miniature village and have worked hard to restore it, with around 200 pieces now set across the site.
Alongside recreations of Florence’s Duomo and Venice’s Rialto Bridge, visitors can also spot a sweet English model village.
Nature has grown around much of the area, with ivy, weeds and plants weaving through the structures, meaning it takes time to find each piece and admire the incredible detail of these tiny sculptures.
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.
Download the official APP!
Gain access to over 1,600 hidden gems and their co-ordinates all over the UK when you download our app. Add gems to your bucket-list and tick them off as you go along, as well as earn rewards/badges when you visit a certain amount.
Users will also have acess to over 9,000 parking spots across the UK as well as over 1,600 staycations in the UK.
