Wales Link

Bala is located at the head of Llyn Tegid – its famous lake. It is an ideal location for touring both North and Mid Wales. The town has a range of interesting shops, inns, restaurants and a historical Town Walk.

Bala is a historic market town and resides within the boundaries of Snowdonia National Park (a designated an area of outstanding natural beauty). It is also within a one hour drive of the coastal regions and attractions. The area is famous for water-sport activities which centre around the lake and nearby rivers. Visiting the lake and seeing the amazing range of water craft is well worth the effort. Fishing is plentiful as are walking, cycling and other activities.

Bala Lake Railway

A miniature steam railway is well worth the ride and accommodation offers value for money all year round.

Street Layout
The street layout, set up by Roger de Mortimer from Chirk Castle in the 14th Century (See history below), is marked out in square courts. Stryt Fawr, the main street, is wide and has shops along its length - it is where the original markets were held.

Two side lanes, Arenig Street and Plase Street were attached to the old Tomen. This being ‘Tomen y Bala’ a typical large Norman castle mound or "motte" which was located at one end of the town and is now accessible as a public garden. This is worth visiting as from the summit you can see wonderful views of Llyn Tegid (Lake Bala) and the mountains beyond

The Lake
The ‘lake of the five parishes’ Llyn Tegid is over four miles long and a mile wide at its widest and is the largest natural lake in Wales. It is home to a unique fish called the Gwyniad, considered to be a form of Herring and apparently a relic of the ice-age. Arrangements have been made to ensure its survival should there be a crisis in Llyn Tegid incidentally!

The lake’s name comes from ‘Tegid Foel’ a character in the “Mabinogi” – a series of Welsh stories and legends from around the 6th Century in King Arthur’s time.