Courses
We are pleased to be able to offer you new and exciting courses this year led by new local experts as well as a wide range of other popular courses led by our regular team of enthusiastic tutors who have a wealth of experience and knowledge on different subjects between them.
Our courses are open to everyone, and no background knowledge is required in most cases only an interest in the subject and a willingness to learn.
Below is a list of links to all of our courses, and are categorised in groups according to subject. They are:
« Walking
« Craft
« History and Archaeology
« Wildlife
« Painting and Illustration
« Photography
« Special Interest
Walking
6 September to 8 September 2019
This course is to give participants the opportunity to learn something about the history of the area and some of the folklore while practicing their Welsh.
28 October to 1 November 2019
Explore the Snowdonia National park from the seaside too the mountains, visiting some of our famous heritage locations and hidden gems.
10 January to 14 January 2020
What better way to burn off the excesses of the Holidays than to walk in Eryri?
Craft
29 July to 2 August 2019
An opportunity to design and stitch your own cross-stitch in inspirational surroundings.
Three Dimensional Woven Containers
18 October to 20 October 2019
Using a range of recycled, new and decorated paper; explore how paper can be used to make a number of different containers and baskets.
22 November to 24 November 2019
Leather is a wonderful medium to work with and personalisation can be as broad as an individual’s imagination.
29 November to 1 December 2019
This course for beginners is an introduction to the art of Tiffany stained glass making.
History and Archaeology
14 June to 16 June 2019
Are you looking for a gateway into the Welsh language, literature and song from earliest times to the present day?
Practical Industrial Archaeology
23 June to 30 June 2019
There is still much to learn about the all-important slate industry, now nominated for World Heritage status.
26 July to 28 July 2019
Visit the boyhood home of David Lloyd George who as a fiery Welsh radical won us the Old Age Pension and as Prime Minister in WW1 was acclaimed, "the man who won the war!"
NEW! A glimpse at the slate industry - Social Trauma
9 August to 11 August 2019
The history of the slate industry of Northwest Wales is often seen through the prism of the Penrhyn Quarry strike of 1900 to 1903.
11 August to 18 August 2019
A long-established and friendly course, which offers the opportunity to spend a week travelling and exploring the preserved railways of North and Mid Wales.
NEW! Darwin Geologising in Snowdonia
30 August to 1 September 2019
In 1831, the budding naturalist is assistant to Professor Adam Sedgwick on an expedition to North Wales. Our first-hand experience of where they went will contextualise key events in the life of the most famous scientist in the western world.
NEW! Signalling the Narrow Gauge
6 September to 8 September 2019
For those interested in how single-line railways are controlled with specific focus on the Ffestiniog Railway.
11 October to 13 October 2019
This course examines how railways in North Wales built for horse and gravity operation were adapted or replaced by new systems altogether between 1840’s and the 1870’s. Site visits and talks will illustrate how this change took place and why it was needed.
8 November to 10 November 2019
Are you looking for a gateway into Welsh language, literature and song from earliest times to the present day?
8 October to 10 October 2019
Geology makes landscape and the landscapes of Gwynedd is made extra special through the eyes of artists. We shall explore the response of visiting painters to the rocks and deep history of these Welsh mountains.
NEW! Hillforts and Welsh Castles Weekend
8 November to 10 November 2019
Walking in the foothills of Snowdonia discovering the hillforts and castles of the Welsh Prince’s.
NEW! The Discovery of Wales, the Discovery of Britain
22 November to 24 November 2019
This course looks at Wales and Snowdonia in the early 'age of discovery' under the Tudors and the Stuarts, at a time when geographers were studying the first 'British Empire' and sea-explorers were re-envisioning the world known to Europeans.
Folklore (course taught through the medium of Welsh)
7 February to 9 February 2020
Names early please to ensure a place on this highly popular convention run jointly with Cymdeithas Llafar Gwlad.
16 February to 21 February 2020
A look at the earliest slate quarries in the various slate districts of North Wales.
13 March to 15 March 2020
Wales’ Tales of the Mabinogion feature prominently among the most important mythologies of ancient Europe.
Wildlife
7 June to 9 June 2019
Enjoy this opportunity to see many of the special species of Snowdonia and the Great Orme.
26 July to 28 July 2019
This is an informative, entertaining and enjoyable introduction into the world of trees. Aimed at non-professionals it will cover native trees, evergreens, deciduous trees, ornamental garden trees and conifers.
29 July to 2 August 2019
Enjoy this opportunity to see many late summer butterflies on the Great Orme, Llandudno including Wall Brown, Grayling, Brown Argus and a chance of Silver Studded Blue and Dark Green Fritillary.
18 August to 23 August 2019
Why not join World Fly Casting Champion and TV presenter Hywel Morgan on this wonderful fishing experience in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park.
Autumn in the Gardens of Snowdonia and North Wales
28 October to 1 November 2019
A fascinating autumn course on the gardens of Snowdonia and North Wales led by gardens expert Tony Russell.
17 February to 21 February 2020
By now, the winter bird population will still be at its maximum.
Painting and Illustration
27 May to 31 May 2019
This course is suitable for all painters.
Buildings and Gardens in Pen and Wash
7 June to 9 June 2019
The aim of this painting course is to explore techniques with watercolours and ink.
Drawing and Painting in Pen, Ink and Watercolour
7 June to 9 June 2019
A lovely combination of black outlining and transparent colour washes, pen work gives added strength to a picture and sharpens detail and textures. A steel nib can be loaded with watercolour as well as ink. Pen and watercolour is an excellent combination.
8 July to 12 July 2019
A course of painting and drawing out of doors in the varied Snowdonia landscape, with the accent on its weather – from sunny calm to cloud-filled drama. A chance for you to find an artistic response to nature’s changing moods in the hills, on the coast, along the estuary and river banks. Outdoor studies will serve as inspiration for studio compositions and experiments.
NEW! Painting Flora and Fauna – Plants and Pollinators
21 July to 26 July 2019
If you are interested in combining botanical art and natural history/wildlife painting together then this is the course for you.
NEW! Transforming the Artist – ‘Outside the Box’
4 August to 9 August 2019
This workshop is a creative approach for students who feel their painting needs. The vitality and verve demonstrated in contemporary art including abstraction.
Botanical Art in Coloured Pencil: Changing Seasons – Summer into Autumn
6 September to 8 September 2019
A chance to capture some of the plants at a time of transition where summer begins to fade into autumn with changing leaves, the colourful burst of fruits, nuts, seeds and vegetables plus the final fling of flowers.
The Society of Botanical Artists Residential Course
15 September to 20 September 2019
We are offering this highly successful course in association with the Society of Botanical Artists Distance Learning Diploma Course, now in its 14th year and highly acclaimed worldwide.
Creating Quick Powerful Paintings and Drawings with Rollers and other Non – Art Implements
11 October to 14 October 2019
Make wonderful drawings and paintings using small rollers and scrapers and discover an ideal way to express ideas quickly and loosely. The work produced will have immediacy and freshness and demands little in terms of skill.
Drawing and Painting in Mixed Media
18 October to 20 October 2019
The emphasis will be the colourful Autumn scene. With woodlands, lakes and gardens all around us, there is much to entice the artist inside us.
Exploring with Mixed Media and Collage
22 November to 25 November 2019
This exciting course is for painters who are willing to explore new ideas and experiment with a variety of media.
13 March to 17 March 2020
A painting course/workshop, which will enable you to relax and enjoy a few days exploring a variety of subjects and painting media.
Photography
21 October to 25 October 2019
Autumn colours are everywhere giving an extra glow to this beautiful landscape. Come and explore the fascinating craft of recording a landscape with a camera in hand. Learn how this process can open your eyes to so many different new vistas.
Creative Landscape Photography
13 March to 15 March 2020
Bring your camera, come, and explore the magnificent Snowdonia landscape, with the early greens and clear light of spring.
Special Interest
4 October to 6 October 2019
Over the weekend, there will be a choice of activities: a chance to relax, entertainment and an opportunity to catch up with old Friends, as well as the AGM.
25 October to 27 October 2019
Following three highly successful string orchestra courses, this fourth musical weekend will again be conducted and tutored by Louise Latham from Manchester.
21 February to 23 February 2020
Drumming is great fun, very focusing, and a powerful way of making music with other people.
We are thankful for the continued support of our customers, new and old over the last few years and hope that we can welcome you on one of the courses included on this site.
Plas Tan y Bwlch Team
Most courses, except those obviously held indoors, involve walking at various levels of strenuousness. Our experienced course leaders can assess the ability of participants and pitch the activity accordingly, taking into account the vagaries of the weather and other conditions. The individual detailed course programme indicates the level of fitness required.
Our Courses
The fee for your course covers accommodation, all meals from dinner on the day of arrival to lunch on the day of departure, tuition and transport on field visits. A few courses may incur additional charges for admissions and extra travel; this will be clearly indicated on the individual course programme.
Bookings
Bookings can be made online or by completing the official booking form and sending it with a non-returnable deposit of £50 (cheques to be made payable to Snowdonia National Park Authority). You will receive acknowledgement of your booking and a programme for the course. The balance of the course fee becomes due six weeks before the start of the course.
Non Residents
Non Residents are welcome to join any course for whole or part days if it is not full. The day fee is £45 plus optional meals - lunch £15.50, packed lunch £7.15 and dinner £18.50.
Cancellation Conditions
In the event of cancellation the following charges will be applied.
- Cancelling more than 6 weeks before the course - deposit only
- Cancelling between 6 and 4 weeks before the course - 60% of the course fees
- Cancelling less than 4 weeks before the course - 80% of the course fees
- Non-arrival or curtailment - full fees
We recommend that you take out your own holiday cancellation insurance. If it becomes necessary for us to cancel the course you will be informed in good time and a full refund of fees and deposit will be made. Recreational courses include V.A.T. at the standard rate.
Discounts
Return visit - this is available on your second and subsequent residential attendance on a public course.
Introducing a friend - to qualify, introduce a friend as a first time attendee to any residential course chosen from this programme. Send your friend’s booking form with your own. To claim either discount tick the appropriate box on your booking form.
The following discounts are available:
- £20.00 off courses up to 3 days
- £50.00 off courses of 4 days or more
