Beddgelert is a little out of the way place that probably gets a lot less through traffic than the near by Capel Curig and Llanberis. It's a village nested snuggly south-west of Snowden, deep in the Snowdonia National Park. It is very picturesque and is a good starting point for innumerable walks, both low level saunters and mountainous climbs. The Saracen's Head is a lovely inviting stone building. Tasty sounding 'winter warmers' advertised on the board outside and proudly announcing - 'dogs welcome'. The ideal place for a cuppa after a challenging 10 mile trek? Well the tea was most welcome and perfectly decent, the food menus were less attractive and the staff were all smoking outside on my arrival, not the best start. But, they were friendly and were surprisingly equally friendly and welcoming to my extremely soggy and worn-out mongrel.
They allow dogs in the rooms too, good to know if you need a mountainous base for a walking trip with your four-legged friend. The place was clean and the basics were there, but somehow seemed old and quiet (admittedly everywhere is quiet on a rainy Friday in January!), tired and distinctly average. I probably wouldn't stay there just not inviting enough. But for a refreshing pot of tea, I would certainly return. read more