Things to do in Tywyn

15 activities, venues and outings in Tywyn, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Do
Tonfanau Road Races
4 motorbike race meetings a year (Easter, Spring Bank Holiday, July, August Bank Holiday) are held by Crewe and South Cheshire MCRR at the Tonfanau cicuit. Tonfanau is a 1-mile, clockwise circuit, built on part of a former military base.
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AC Adventures
Run by experienced adventurer Ross Ashe-Cregan. Offers tailored activity breaks, activities include climbing, gorge walking, mountain biking, navigation skills training and more.
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Angling/fishing
Very popular in the area. Sea, river, coarse, and lake fishing are all available.
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Bro Dysynni Leisure Centre
Canolfan Hammden Bro Dysynni
Excellent council-run facility. 25-m swimming pool, sauna, 4 badminton courts, 2 squash courts, full-size outdoor floodlit synthetic football/hockey pitch, floodlit tennis courts.
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Cycling
An excellent way to see more of the area. The narrow, quiet lanes of the Dysynni Valley and Happy Valley are particularly suited to a day out on 2 wheels. There are plans for a dedicated cycle path southwards to Aberdyfi.
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Mountain Biking
Tywyn is an ideal base for a mountain biking holiday, with a number of trails in the area. The ascent of Cadair Idris from Llanfihangel y Pennant is classified as a bridleway, and therefore can be used by mountain bikes. It's a tough slog up (you'll be carrying in places), but the descent (from 892 m at the summit to only a few metres above sea level in the valley) must rank as one of the finest in the country. Bear in mind that the right of way does not follow the farmer's gravel track for the whole length - be sure to look out for signs and/or use a map in order to stick to the legal route. Not recommended for summer weekends due to the number of hikers. There are other ancient roads in the area which can be used by mountain bikes. The pass of Nant Braich y Rhiw from Rhyd-yr-onnen, south of the village of Bryncrug, through the Tarren hills to Happy Valley is a popular route, though it can be very muddy after rain as it also used by 4x4 vehicles. The Ffordd Ddu (Black Road) leads from the village of Llanegryn, across the western flanks of Cadair Idris and down to Dolgellau via the Cregennan Lakes. Ordnance Survey Explorer Map sheet OL23 Cadair Idris and Bala Lake is essential to follow these routes. There are a number of marked trails in the Dyfi Valley, centred around Machynlleth, 15 miles to the south-east, including the purpose-built CliMachx route. Coed y Brenin, near Dolgellau, 20 miles to the north, has 6 waymarked trails.
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Pony trekking
Available at Bwlchgwyn Farm, 10 miles to the north in Fairbourne.
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Race The Train
Every year on the 3rd weekend of August since 1983. Hundreds of runners attempt to beat the Talyllyn Railway on a 14-mile cross-country course following the tracks up to Abergynolwyn and back again. Some (but by no means a majority) succeed! There are activities associated with the race all weekend on the Sports field adjacent to the Wharf Station. Seats are available on the "Race" train, which gives a great view of the event - early booking advised.
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Rock Climbing
Craig yr Aderyn in the Dysynni valley is a popular site for climbers with 35 routes of varying difficulty levels. Parts of the rock are out of bounds from 1st April to 31st July to protect nesting birds. There is an information sign at the foot of the cliff detailing which parts of the rock this applies to. The Cyfrwy Arete and Craig Cau on the flanks of Cadair Idris have been popular with climbers since the mid-19th century and have over 60 routes between them. There are also some routes at the old quarry workings above the villages of Abergynolwyn and Friog, while the sea cliffs at Cae Du, near Rhoslefain, and Allens Sun Beach, near Llwyngwril, offer some entertaining bouldering opportunities.
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Talyllyn Railway
Rheilfordd Talyllyn
This narrow gauge railway was the world's first to be saved from closure and run by volunteers. It follows the Fathew valley 7 miles inland to the village of Abergynolwyn. Most trains are hauled by steam locomotives, and some of the locomotives and rolling stock date back to the original opening of the railway in the 1860s. Readers of the "Railway Series" of books by Rev W Awdry may recognise it as the Skarloey Railway, which Awdry based on the Talyllyn Railway after working as a volunteer in the 1950s. An enjoyable excursion from the railway is to alight at Dolgoch, where a woodland walk gives access to some spectacular waterfalls.
Wharf Station open all year except January. Train service March–November plus specials around Christmas period. Peak season 1st train leaves Tywyn 10:10AM, last train leaves Abergynolwyn 1733Day Ticket £28
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The Beach
In fine summer weather, Tywyn's more than 4 miles (6.4 km) of sandy beach are a magnet for sun-seekers. In 2007, The Daily Telegraphs Alf Anderson wrote "I think this is about as good as a British beach gets" in the paper's "Beach of the Week" feature. The area around the main promenade can become very busy, but a short walk to the south will bring peace and quiet if desired. It's possible to continue walking all the way to Aberdyfi. If there have been recent storms, look out for the petrified forest, which is normally buried under the sand but is sometimes exposed as the sands shift, especially in winter time. The existence of this forest is sometimes held up as evidence for the existence of Cantre'r Gwaelod, a mythical lost land beneath the waters of Cardigan Bay. The beach shelves quite slowly out to sea and is regarded as safe for swimming, though as always, sensible precautions should be taken.
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The Tywyn Wurlitzer
Wales' only Wurlitzer organ
Concerts and dances take place regularly, especially in summer. The Tywyn Wurlitzer used to be known as "The Mighty Wurlitzer" and was installed in the Granada Cinema in Woolwich, London in the 1930s. As cinema attendances declined in the 1960s, the cinema became a bingo hall, and the organ was eventually removed. Over the years many of the parts lay in storage and deteriorated, until in the 1990s it was brought to Tywyn, restored, and installed in this hall. The famous old organ attracts nationally and internationally well-known organists.
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Tywyn Cinema
The Magic Lantern
Very friendly independent cinema open every evening throughout the year. Shows a wide range of films, from commercial to arthouse, world cinema and occasional old classics. It has a bar and stage, a live schedule with music, comedy and spoken word performance, and a regular quiz night!
Doors open 6:30PM, film starts at 7PM. Afternoon and evening matinees also show during school holidaysBalcony £6; stalls £5 (adults), £4 (children)
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Tywyn Leisure Park
Putting green, tennis courts (hard and grass), bowling green.
Open in the summer only
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Tywyn Skate Park
Outdoor skate-park, open day and night. Features a Quarter-Pipe side by side to a Flat-Bank Roll-In (with a Grind-Rail), Funbox, Raked-Tombstone Half-Pipe with a Quarter-Pipe leading on 1 side. Popular with both boarders and BMXers.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Tywyn (CC BY-SA 4.0).