Beddgelert travel guide

Beddgelert is a village in Gwynedd, Wales, lying in Snowdonia. It is rumoured to be named after the legendary hound Gelert. The name is Welsh for "Gelert's grave".
The so-called grave is now a tourist attraction, but there is no truth in the Gelert legend, which was fostered by local innkeeper David Prichard during the 19th century. The village is probably named after an early Christian missionary and leader called Celert (or Cilert) who settled here early in the 8th century. The earliest record of the name Beddgelert appears on a document dated 1258, and the name recorded is 'Bekelert'. In a document of 1269 it is recorded as 'Bedkelerd'.http://www.gwp.enta.net/walhist.html
The village is a significant tourist attraction, its picturesque bridge crossing the river Colwyn just upstream of its confluence with the river Glaslyn. It is also the nearest village to the scenic Glaslyn gorge, an area of tumultuous river running between steep wooded hills. Much of the area is however becoming invaded by the alien plant, Rhododendron ponticum which provides a covering of pink blossom in May and June, but which is slowly blanketing out the native flora. To this end attempts have been made to control its spread by cutting and burning. (...) more....