[1] Attractions near the village include the Rhaeadr Cynfal waterfalls and the remains of the Tomen-y-Mur Roman fort and amphitheatre.

Situated in the square opposite the Pengwern Arms, is the oldest dwelling and established business in the area, Meirion House, a Grade II* listed building.

There is a headstone inlaid in the slate floor, part of which is under the second stairway, believed to have been constructed in the late 19th century.

It was to turn her thoughts from her bereavement that she took her husband's advice and began to write her first novel, Mary Barton.

George Borrow wrote briefly about Ffestiniog and its church-side pub, the Pengwern, in his travelogue Wild Wales.

[2] The area is connected with Blodeuwedd, Lleu Llaw Gyffes and Gronw Pebr, all characters in the Four Branches of the Mabinogi.