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
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
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
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.
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 Princes.
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
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
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
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
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
