Backed by mountains and home to several heritage railways, this town is a magical place to visit
Porthmadog Marina, Gwynedd.(Image: Daily Post Wales)
Without a doubt living by the coast has its perks. Beaches are within easy reach, the lifestyle is more laidback compared to urban living and often the views are amazing.
In fact recent research conducted by Regency Living, property specialists for the over-50s, found that the seaside was the second happiest location to live, beaten only by the countryside.
Using data from the UK House Price Index and happiness score data sourced from the UK Government’s Annual personal well-being estimates, they found the cheapest and happiest seaside locations in the country.
Porthmadog in North Wales was found to be the most affordable seaside location, with properties on average prices at £196,584.
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With a happiness score of 7.51, it ranked higher than the average seaside happiness score of 7.33 and beat the likes of Whistable, Bournemouth, Torquay and Crosby.
It’s just a stone’s throw away from the mountains of Snowdonia (Image: Daily Post Wales)
Perched on the edge of Cardigan Bay and a stone’s throw away from Eryri (Snowdonia) national park, Porthmadog is surrounded by breathtaking scenery and it’s easy to see why people who live there are so happy.
Even if you’re not looking to relocate anytime soon, there’s plenty of reasons why you should plan a visit to this stunning harbour town.
Porthmadog doesn’t have roots dating back centuries, in fact the town only sprang to life at the start of the 19th century when William Maddocks built a seawall called the Cob, creating a natural harbour.
This transformed the area into a bustling transportation hub for nearby slate quarries including Ffestiniog and Llanfrothen, and the port flourished.
In 1836 the Ffestiniog Railway opened to transport slate and today it’s one of the area’s major tourist attractions, starting at Porthmadog and ending at Blaenau Ffestiong, taking passengers on a scenic journey through Snowdonia National Park.
The marina is full of coastal charm(Image: Hadyn Iball / North Wales Live)
It’s not the only railway route in the area. Porthmadog is also home to the Welsh Highland Railway and the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway. Lonely Planet even named the Welsh Highland Railway among the best rail experiences in Europe in 2022.
Although not right by the beach, Porthmadog is brimming with coastal charm. It boasts a stunning marina where you can see boats of all shapes and sizes moored up.
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There’s the charming maritime museum which tells the story of the port’s shipbuilding and slate exporting heyday. The Cob is also worth checking out, providing a mile-long embankment across the estuary with flat paths and dramatic views.
Not far away from the town is Black Rock Sands beach, a two-mile stretch of sand named after the dark-coloured headlands which surround it.
It’s backed by a dune system – a Site of Special Scientific Interest – home to a variety of wildlife. Motorists can even park up on the beach when it’s safe to do so, giving visitors easy access to the shore.
Back in Porthmadog there’s no shortage of cafes and pubs, including The Australia and Y Llong (The Ship). Beer fans can even get their hands on award-winning beers produced by Purple Moose Brewery, which uses water from the Snowdonia mountains and has a shop in Porthmadog, as well as nearby Betws-y-Coed.
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