Galeri Betws-y-Coed

Overview

Galeri Betws-y-Coed is an independent craft and design gallery in the heart of the beautiful village of Betws-y-Coed, the gateway to Eryri National Park (Snowdonia). The gallery showcases paintings, prints, and photographs by artists from Wales and further afield.

It’s a fun, free thing to do in North Wales and is also the perfect activity for a rainy day since it’s all inside. Adults will enjoy spending some peaceful time admiring the artworks during their explorations of Betws-y-Coed in this welcoming space.

Art and crafts lovers, visitors on a hike, and travellers interested in the creative culture of Snowdonia will all love this contemporary gallery.

About Galeri Betws-y-Coed

The gallery was established to support local artists and celebrate Welsh artistry. The artworks displayed include a mixture of emerging and more well-established artists, and there’s a focus on work that’s inspired by Welsh landscapes, nature and wildlife, and Celtic traditions.

Many of the works you’ll see in Galeri Betws-y-Coed are made from local materials that the area is known for, such as slate, wood, and wool. Displays are updated regularly, and so each visit here is different.

The gallery is also a shop selling items ranging from affordable prints and small gifts to high-end art pieces. There is no obligation to buy, and you are welcome to look around and browse at your own pace.

Where is Galeri Betws-y-Coed?

Galeri Betws-y-Coed is on Holyhead Road, in the centre of the picturesque Welsh village of Betws-y-Coed. It is close to cafes, parking, public footpaths, and public transport, making it an ideal stop during a day out in Eryri National Park.

What’s inside Galeri Betws-y-Coed?

Inside the gallery, you’ll find:

Original paintings
Prints and limited-edition prints
Photography
Handmade jewellery
Unique Welsh crafts
Contemporary ceramics
A wide range of gifts and souvenirs for all budgets

There is a wide range of artists in the gallery, including those who were born and bred in Wales, and others who hail from further afield. Artists displaying their works here include:

Matthew Snowden: landscape acrylics artist
Hannah Doyle: printmaker and illustrator
Anita Woods: figurative artist working with watercolours and mixed media
Liz Bolloten: watercolour artist capturing the beauty of the natural world
David Cartlidge: sculptor using a range of recycled materials, including metals, wire, and wood

Can I get something to eat at Galeri Betws-y-Coed?

Although there is no café at Galeri Betws-y-Coed, there are plenty of places to eat nearby. Choose from cosy village pubs serving hearty meals, friendly cafes and coffee shops, and fine dining restaurants.

Some of the best places to eat in Betws-y-Coed include:

Y Stablau: modern dining venue serving local produce, cask ales, and cocktails
Hangin’ Pizzeria: traditional Italian pizza, salads, wine, beer, and desserts
Pont-y-Pair: seasonal menus featuring pub classics and your favourite tipple

Galeri Betws-y-Coed opening hours

Galeri Betws-y-Coed is open every day from 11am until 4.30pm.

Other galleries in Betws-y-Coed

For a small village, Betws-y-Coed really packs a punch when it comes to art. Not only can you visit Galeri Betws-y-Coed, but you can also pop into some of the other art galleries here during your visit to the village.

Betws-y-Coed has a rich history of art. It was home to the first British artists’ colony, and the area has inspired many famous artists, including J.M.W. Turner, David Cox, and Thomas Collier.

Platform Galeri

Platform Galeri is housed in the station buildings at the Betws-y-Coed railway station and is run by artist and conservation environmentalist Jacha Potgieter. The gallery showcases the work of its award-winning photographer owner and hopes to spread a strong conservation message.

Platform Galeri is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10.30am until 5pm and is free to visit.

ArtWorks2

ArtWorks2 is a not-for-profit organisation that helps to support local artists by displaying and selling their work in its galleries in Betws-y-Coed and Aberdyfi. This space featuring art, textiles, and jewellery is free to visit.

ArtWorks2 is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am until 5pm.

How to get to Galeri Betws-y-Coed from YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass

Galeri Betws-y-Coed is around 10.4 miles (16.7 kilometres) from YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass. One of the quickest and easiest ways to get there is by public transport.

Cycling: It takes about 44 minutes to cycle from YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass to Galeri Betws-y-Coed.

Public transport: Catch the S1 bus to Betws-y-Coed at the bus stop outside YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass. Alight at Pont-y-Pair and from here, walk for around a minute until you reach the gallery. The whole journey should take approximately 26 minutes.

Driving: Driving between the Youth Hostel and the art gallery should take around 18 minutes. There are several pay and display car parks in Betws-y-Coed, including: