Shopping in Beddgelert: Gifts, Crafts, Ice Cream and Independent Shops We Loved

One of the things we enjoy most about travelling is discovering independent shops. Every town and village has its own personality, and nowhere was that more obvious than in Beddgelert. Unlike many tourist destinations dominated by chain stores, Beddgelert is filled with family-run businesses, artisan makers, cosy cafés and gift shops where every visit feels personal.

We originally stopped in the village for lunch. By the time we left, we’d spent hours wandering from one shop to the next, picking up local treats, browsing handcrafted gifts and enjoying some of the best ice cream of our North Wales holiday.

If you’re planning a visit to Beddgelert, here are the places that made our day so enjoyable.

Start at the Tourist Information Centre

Our shopping trail began at the Beddgelert Tourist Information Centre, conveniently located beside the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways station. Although we weren’t looking for directions, it turned out to be the perfect place to begin exploring.

Inside you’ll find:

• Walking guides
• Maps of Eryri (Snowdonia)
• Books on Welsh history and wildlife
• Local crafts
• Welsh gifts
• Souvenirs
• Cards
• Information about attractions throughout the national park

It also provides inspiration for places you may not have considered visiting. Even if you’ve already planned your route, it’s worth stepping inside.

Holiday Rule Number One: Ice Cream First

It didn’t take long before something else caught our attention. Hufen Ia Café and Ice Cream Parlour.

The name itself made us smile. In Welsh, hufen iâ simply means “ice cream”, so the café’s name literally translates to “Ice Cream Café.”

Inside we discovered Glaslyn Artisan Ice Cream, one of the highlights of our visit. Their award-winning ice cream and sorbets come in a tempting selection of flavours, all beautifully presented.

Standing in front of the display cabinet quickly became the hardest decision of the morning. Choosing just one flavour wasn’t easy. The quality certainly lived up to its reputation.

If you’re visiting Beddgelert during the warmer months, this should be near the top of your list.

Coffee at Ty Coets Coach House

Just along the street we found another gem. Ty Coets Coach House Coffee Shop immediately stood out because of its welcoming atmosphere. Inside, comfortable seating, exposed timber and soft lighting created the sort of café where it’s easy to lose track of time.

The menu featured:

• Artisan coffee
• Speciality teas
• Freshly made bagels
• Homemade cakes
• Light lunches

Since our Yorkshire Terrier, Ollie, was travelling with us, we chose takeaway coffees and enjoyed them outside in the sunshine. Many visitors did exactly the same. The relaxed pace perfectly suited the village.

Emrys House Village Shop

No village feels complete without a traditional local shop. Emrys House fills that role perfectly. Visitors staying in Beddgelert will find everything needed for self-catering holidays, including groceries, snacks, drinks and everyday essentials.

It is one of those useful places you’ll be glad to know about if you’re spending a few days exploring Eryri. Located beside the Tanronnen Inn, it’s also convenient for walkers and visitors staying nearby.

Crib Goch Outdoor Shop

Beddgelert is one of the gateways to some of Wales’ finest walking country. It is no surprise, therefore, that outdoor shops form an important part of the village.

Crib Goch Outdoor Shop stocks clothing, footwear and equipment suitable for exploring the mountains and valleys surrounding Beddgelert. Even if you’re not climbing Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), it’s a fascinating shop to browse.

Walking poles, waterproof jackets, backpacks, guidebooks and outdoor accessories remind you that adventure begins just beyond the village streets.

Riverside Gifts

One shop we spent quite a while exploring was Riverside Gifts. The shelves were filled with carefully chosen Welsh souvenirs and locally inspired gifts. Among the items we found were:

• Welsh mugs
• Slate gifts
• Handmade jewellery
• Greetings cards
• Home décor
• Wooden keepsakes
• Local artwork
• Welsh dragon souvenirs

It is exactly the sort of independent gift shop where you’ll almost certainly leave carrying something.

Craft Coed – Beddgelert Woodcraft

Next door, Craft Coed (Beddgelert Woodcraft) offered something completely different. Beautiful handcrafted wooden gifts filled the shop.

The workmanship immediately caught our attention. From decorative carvings to practical household items, every piece reflected traditional craftsmanship and natural materials.

Rather than mass-produced souvenirs, this felt like a shop celebrating the skills of local makers. It became one of our favourite shops in the village.

I was particularly drawn to the wooden birds painstakenly craft and painted by hand. We have seen these on our visit to James Pringle Weavers Shopping Centre in Llanfairpwll.

You might have noticed that we are a little bird mad and have made many of our artful illustrations available on T-shirts. These are perfect as gifts for for nature lovers and walkers, who love spending time out in woodlands and countryside. Check out our Wild Birds Collection. If you are a big fan of Scottish or Welsh species, see Scottish Bird T-shirt or Welsh Bird T-shirt series.

Waterloo House

After crossing the stone bridge towards Stryd Smith, we came across Waterloo House, another excellent stop for visitors searching for Welsh gifts and holiday souvenirs.

Shops like this are one of the pleasures of exploring Beddgelert. Each has its own character. Each offers slightly different products. Browsing them becomes part of the experience.

Rather than rushing from one attraction to another, we found ourselves happily wandering from shop to shop, discovering something new every few minutes.

Shopping That Reflects Wales

One thing we particularly appreciated was how many products genuinely reflected Welsh culture. Instead of generic souvenirs, many shops stocked:

• Welsh language gifts
• Locally produced crafts
• Artisan foods
• Handmade candles
• Regional artwork
• Slate products
• Books about Snowdonia
• Local photography
• Traditional Welsh textiles

These are the sorts of purchases that continue reminding you of your holiday long after you’ve returned home.

More Than Shopping

What makes shopping in Beddgelert enjoyable isn’t simply the shops themselves. It is the setting.

You can browse a gift shop, step outside to admire mountain views, cross a centuries-old bridge, enjoy an artisan coffee and finish with award-winning ice cream, all within a few minutes’ walk.

The village encourages you to slow down. There is no rush. Every street seems to invite another look.Every corner offers another photograph.

Wish We Knew Before Visiting

Looking back, here’s what we’d recommend to anyone planning a shopping trip to Beddgelert:

• Allow at least half a day rather than squeezing the village into a lunch stop.
• Many shops stock locally made products that you won’t easily find elsewhere.
• Bring an insulated bag if you’re buying artisan food or ice cream to enjoy later.
• Most shops are independently owned, making every purchase a great way to support local businesses.
• Several cafés and pubs welcome dogs in outdoor seating areas.
• Visit outside peak lunchtime if you prefer quieter browsing.
• Don’t forget to look up from the shop windows. The mountain views, colourful flower displays and rivers are every bit as memorable as the shopping.

Our Favourite Discoveries

Every visitor will leave Beddgelert with different favourites.

For us, it was the combination that made the village special.

Award-winning ice cream.

Excellent coffee.

Friendly independent businesses.

Beautiful riverside scenery.

Traditional Welsh craftsmanship.

A relaxed atmosphere that encourages you to stay longer than planned.

We arrived expecting little more than a lunch stop. We left wishing we’d had another day. If you’re exploring Eryri, make time for Beddgelert.

Browse the shops.

Support local businesses.

Treat yourself to an ice cream.

Then simply wander.

You never know what you’ll discover next.