7 Night Heritage Trains of Snowdonia for Solos
Ride the rails through Snowdonia’s spectacular scenery aboard full-size steam engines, narrow-gauge trains, and cliffside funiculars - all while connecting with fellow solo travellers and railway enthusiasts. Exclusively for solo travellers, this holiday sees you journey through ancient oak woodlands, by thundering waterfalls, and over dramatic ridges aboard the Ffestiniog Railway and Welsh Highland Railways beautifully restored carriages. You’ll also enjoy Victorian charm as you chug through the countryside on the Talyllyn Railway and top it all by taking the Snowdon Mountain Railway to the dramatic summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) itself.
What you’ll love
- Ride on the Talyllyn Railway, the world’s first preserved railway
- The scenery in the Vale of Rheidol
- Experience a trip on the Ffestiniog Railway, the world’s oldest narrow-gauge railway
- Journey on the Welsh Highland Railway, a stunning highlight of the week
- Taking the Snowdon Mountain Railway up to the summit of Snowdon
- A more personalised experience thanks to small group sizes (maximum 21 people)
What’s included
- En-suite accommodation in our 4-star country house
- Cream tea on arrival day
- Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
- Daily packed lunches
- Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee
- Guided sightseeing with an experienced HF Holidays leader
- All transport included in the itinerary
- All entrance fees and rail tickets
- Easy-to-follow routes, maps and information in our Discovery Point if you want to explore independently
Trip Notes
Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date.
Check-in at the hotel is available from 4pm. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea on arrival.
To begin our holiday, we head almost back to England to the charming Welshpool and Llanfair Railway, travelling through delightful pastoral scenery. This line has an eclectic range of rolling stock drawn from around the world. Then it’s on to the Bala Lake Railway - a narrow-gauge line re-opened on the former Great Western main line.
Today we start with the relatively short Corris Railway and its museum and engine shed. Then it’s on to the Talyllyn Railway which boasts of being one of the longest operating heritage railways – a delightful experience. Finally, we go down to the coast at Fairbourne to take a ride on the miniature railway to the river mouth and back again.
Discover more about Dolserau Hall and the local area for ideas on how to make the most of your free day.
We visit the narrow-gauge Llanberis Lake railway today and head along the shores of Llyn Padarn. Then, weather permitting, we will ascend Snowdon on the unique rack railway where we will have time to visit the highest visitor centre in the UK before taking the return journey down.
This morning, we go south to Aberystwyth for a visit to the Cliff Railway, Britain’s longest electric funicular railway. Next up is the Vale of Rheidol Railway which opened in 1902 for the transportation of lead ore and was operated by British Rail until 1989. We take a trip through beautiful scenery to Devil’s Bridge before our return.
Our final day is a journey on the two lines around Porthmadog. First, the Ffestiniog Railway from which includes dramatic scenery and a spiral curve at Dduallt, part of the ‘Deviation’ built by volunteers in the 1960s and 70s. The double-ended Fairlie locomotives are another special feature of this line. Our journey continues aboard the Welsh Highland Railway, which passes stunning mountain scenery with views of Snowdon on its way to Caernarfon.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
Dolserau Hall
Reopening in 2026, Dolserau Hall enjoys arresting countryside views at this Victorian manor house at the southern end of Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park. The location is idyllic; think ancient woods and craggy uplands in all directions (parts of the park served as the inspiration for Middle Earth in JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings). There’s no shortage of things to do, either, including following the Mawddach Trail along the edge of the Mawddach Estuary, discovering the compact range of hills known as the Rhinogs, and climbing the rugged foothills of Cader Idris – the highest mountain in southern Snowdonia (Eryri) at 893 metres. You’ll also be close to Dolgellau, the small market town best known for its once flourishing woollen industry (ruins of the Pandy fulling mills used to remove fats and grease from the wool cloth can still be seen along the Afon Aran River).
With only 21 rooms, it's one of HF Holidays' smaller country houses and 40% of it's rooms are reserved for singles, making it easier than ever to have your own space.
Rooms
A choice of guest rooms at Dolserau Hall
Designed with your comfort in mind, Dolserau Hall has 21 well-appointed guest rooms available in two categories: Classic and Premium.
Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV.
Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
We love: The rooms in the main house or converted coach house. Some come with standout views of Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park.
| Premium single | Premium double/twin | Choose your room |
| £20 pppn | £20 pppn | £30 per room |
*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location
Choose Your Room Service
Some guests love choosing a particular room, for the view, a quiet spot in an annex, or to be close to the dining room. Many return to the same room time and again, creating a familiar and comforting sense of place for only £30 per room.
About your stay
A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out).
Evening entertainment
While evening entertainment varies from house to house, HF Holidays Inter-House Quiz night held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided waking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.
Walks talks
Our HF Holidays walk leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on guided walking holiday arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s guided walks (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.
The walking day
Prior to setting off on guided walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house.
Food & drink
Seasonal dining, tailored for you
Our team of skilled chefs design our dinner menus to showcase the best of each season, from warming winter comfort food to vibrant summer dishes, including vegetarian, vegan and high-protein options. We also source fruit and vegetables within a 40-mile radius of each house, open every break with a Chef’s Special menu inspired by dishes and flavours of the local area, and are able to adapt dishes to suit special dietary requirements.
Welcome Cream Tea
What better way to start your stay than with a cream tea, served fresh on arrival to make you feel instantly at home. A quintessentially English tradition, our scones are baked in-house and served with preserves and clotted cream, providing the perfect opportunity to meet fellow walkers.
A hearty breakfast to start the day
Start the day with a freshly-prepared cooked breakfast and a wide choice from our continental buffet, including hot drinks, juices and fresh fruit. Our team offer a quick and friendly service, leaving you fuelled and ready for your day’s adventures.
Our famous picnic lunch
Our personalised picnic lunches are perfect for a day out walking, ready to enjoy when hunger strikes. Choose from a large selection of fresh sandwiches and salads, freshly baked cakes and snacks, including the ever-popular Freddos chocolate bar! Everything is designed to fit neatly into your rucksack, and all of the packaging we provide is recyclable or compostable.
3-course evening meals
Our à la carte evening menus feature a wide choice of starters, mains, and desserts, made with seasonal ingredients and, wherever possible, herbs and vegetables from our own gardens. Shared around sociable tables, dinners are relaxed occasions, with drinks available to order at the table or from the bar, and a traditional Sunday roast to round off the week.
Accessibility
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Dolserau Hall
Getting to Dolserau Hall
Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.
More InformationAddress
Dolserau Hall
Dolgellau
Gwynedd LL40 2AG
Tel: +44 (0)1341 422522
By train
The nearest station is Machynlleth.
For train times and to plan your route check National Rail.
By taxi
The 16-mile journey from Machynlleth railway station takes about 30 minutes.
For pricing, please contact Cader Cabs* and Mach Taxis* directly.
Cader Cabs
A local, 24/7 firm, who can provide transport from nearby train stations and bus stops. No pre-booking is required.
Tel: +44 (0)7766 983 103
Email: info@cadercabs.co.uk
Mach Taxis
We recommend pre-booking your taxi at least seven days in advance.
Tel: +44 (0)1654 702048
Email: taxi@machtaxis.com
A return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the HF Holidays House Manager at Dolserau Hall.
*Cader Cabs and Mach Taxis are not owned or managed by HF Holidays.
By bus
From Machynlleth take the T2 bus to Dolgellau. You can complete the two-mile journey to Dolserau Hall by taxi. Or if you alight at Dolgellau Starbucks, it’s a one-mile walk along a quiet country lane to the house.
By car
It takes about 90 minutes to drive from the M56 at Chester or the M54 at Telford to Dolserau Hall.
From the north
Head to Chester, then take the M53 and A55 to join the A550, followed by the A5104 for about 20 miles, then finally the A494 signposted to Bala.
Stay on the A494 through Bala heading towards Dolgellau. A mile after going past a junction for the B4416 to Brithdir, take the next turning on the left to follow the country lane for half a mile to Dolserau Hall.
From the south
Take the M54 and A5 to Shrewsbury to join the A458 towards Welshpool. Continue on the A458 through Welshpool and after 27 miles turn right at a roundabout onto the A470 towards Dolgellau. As you come down a steep hill before Dolgellau, look out for a petrol station on the right. Take a right turn immediately before it, then you’ll find Dolserau Hall is about one mile along this country lane on your left.
By air
The nearest airport is Manchester Airport.
You’ll need to allow around five hours, firstly taking the train to Chester, changing to the Sapphire bus to Wrexham, and from there taking the T3 bus to Dolgellau.
The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather that’s sunny one minute and raining the next. To make it easier, here’s a list of items you should consider packing.
Essentials
- Suitable, sturdy footwear with a good grip. You’ll be on your feet for much of the day
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof overtrousers
- Sunhat
- Rucksack
- Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)
- Sunscreen
- Mobile phone
- UV sunglasses
Recommended
- First aid kit, including plasters
- Sit mat
- Waterproof pouch for valuables
- Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace)
- Wallet/purse
Optional extras
- Walking poles,
- Flask for hot drinks
- Durable lunch box
- Waterproof rucksack liner
Dolserau Hall Calendar
- Guided Walking
- Self-Guided Walking
- Special Interests
- Unavailable to Book
Guest reviews
All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.
Members save £30 on all prices. Join today! Click here or call us to find out more.
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take an alternative route, or vary the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Holiday prices
| Date (Start - End) | Itinerary | Double / Twin Room | Single Room | Notes / Offers | Trip Notes | Book | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ||||||||
|
19 Jun - 26 Jun 2026 7 nights |
Itinerary
Single Call to Enquire
Double Call to Enquire
|
Call to Enquire | Call to Enquire |
Trip Notes
|
||||