Mae’n wyrth bod Betws-y-Coed wedi cadw’r Gymraeg o gwbl, wrth ystyried y pwysau enfawr gan yr holl dwristiaid sy’n llifo i mewn i’w meysydd parcio a’i palmenti cul bob dydd, ac yn bennaf ar benwythnosau.
Er fod Betws yn dref Fictorianaidd ar gyfer twrisitiaid, mae’r Cymraeg dal i’w glywed yma, yn rhai o’r siopau lleol, busnesau twristiaid, ac i’w glywed yn rheolaidd yn y caffis, os ydych yn barod i addasu eich clyw y tu hwnt i’r acenau Scouse a Brummie gellir eu clywed yn aml.
Fel llawer o lefydd gyda gormod o dwristiaid, y gyfrinach i werthfawrogi Betws yw ymweld yn ystod yr amserau distaw – cyn 11 o’r gloch y bore, neu ar ôl 6 yr hwyr; yn ystod y wythnos; neu yn y gaeaf. Dyna pryd ydych yn fwy tebygol o ddod o hyd i galon Gymraeg Betws. Gallwch glywed y pobol lleol yn siarad eu hiaith, a gallwch siarad â nhw yn Gymraeg hefyd.
It’s a miracle that Betws-y-Coed has retained any Cymraeg character at all, given the immense pressure of the hordes of tourists that pour into its car parks and onto its narrow pavements every day, and particularly at weekends.
Although Betws developed as a Victorian tourist resort, Cymraeg can still be heard here, in the local shops, tourists businesses, and regularly heard in the cafes if you care to retune your hearing beyond the Scouse and Brummie accents that dominate.
Like many over-touristed places, the secret to appreciating Betws is to visit off-peak. Before 11am, or after 6p; during the week; or in winter. That’s when you’re more likely to find Betws’ Cymraeg heart. You can hear the local speak their language, and you can talk to them in Cymraeg too.
Mynd am dro. Best walks around Betws.
Llyn Elsi. A stiff uphill slog followed by a gorgeous walk around the lake.
Pont y Mwynwyr. Lovely walk along Afon Llugwy from Pont-y-Pair in town to the extraordinary Miners Bridge.
Sarn Helen a Rhiwddolion. Walk through history to an abandoned village high above Betws.
Cyrau. A steep but short walk up to the Cyrau viewpoint above town. Golygfeydd arbennig o Betws.
