I’m fortunate sufficient to have lived in North Wales for almost all of my life. When requested the place my favorite place on this planet is, I at all times say North Wales! Folks typically have a look at me in disbelief. Absolutely my favorite place could be someplace extra unique just like the Caribbean or South East Asia?
No, my coronary heart lies in North Wales and, by the tip of this submit, yours will too!
Vibrant fishing villages. Lengthy stretches of craggy coastlines and tender white sand seashores. Historic steam trains providing panoramic views and the mountains and shoreline. Not one, however six UNESCO World Heritage websites. The tallest mountains, the smallest homes, the quickest zip traces, and the longest place names. It’s time for everybody to lastly uncover precisely what North Wales can provide!
You may be stunned, however this area is without doubt one of the most enjoyable and diversified elements of the UK. Whether or not you’re a seaside bum or a mountain goat, a tradition vulture or adrenaline junkie, you’ll discover all of it and extra in North Wales.
Don’t imagine me? Listed here are 25 of the very best issues to do in North Wales. I’ve little question that you simply’ll discover a lot of actions on this lovely a part of the UK that the entire household will take pleasure in.
25 issues to do in North Wales
1. Climb Mount Snowdon
Let’s begin with top-of-the-line and hottest actions in North Wales. The pièce de résistance of Snowdonia Nationwide Park is Mount Snowdon. With a 1,085m/3,560ft elevation, It’s the tallest mountain within the nation.
You probably have fairly good well being and health ranges, there’s no cause why you shouldn’t be capable to climb and summit Snowdon. There are round six completely different paths you possibly can select that start in several cities and the most well-liked is from Llanberis.
But when that’s not your cup of tea, there’s a prepare you possibly can hop on from Llanberis Station that may take you straight to the highest (climate allowing!). There’s even a restaurant on the summit too. You don’t get that form of service on Scafell Pike!
Learn extra: What to put on to climb Snowdon
2. Portmeirion Fishing Village
It’s troublesome to think about that an Italian Riviera-style village would ever exist in North Wales, but it surely’s true. Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis constructed Portmeirion on his non-public property within the mid-Twentieth century. He needed to show that a stupendous place may very well be constructed with out spoiling the pure great thing about the panorama.
And he was proper! The village’s brightly colored cottages, retailers, galleries, and different buildings match proper into the woodland behind the city and the shoreline in entrance.
Learn extra: Visiting Portmeirion, the Italian model village in North Wales
3. Conwy Citadel
Conwy Citadel is considered one of 4 castles in North Wales that make up the “Castles and City Partitions of King Edward in Gwynedd” UNESCO World Heritage Web site. These are remarkably well-preserved medieval castles constructed through the Thirteenth and early 14th centuries.
Conwy Citadel is without doubt one of the hottest with guests. Not simply due to how well-maintained the fortress is, however as a result of its city partitions, suspension bridge, and general magnificence additionally draw individuals to Conwy. You can even climb to the highest of the fortress’s towers for beautiful panoramic views alongside the River Conwy.
Learn extra: 20 of one of the best castles in Wales you must go to
4. Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Llangollen Canal
Already we’re onto the following UNESCO World Heritage Web site in North Wales! Courting again to 1805, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is an 18-arch bridge constructed to hold coal barges through the Industrial Revolution. Immediately, it largely serves canal boats and walkers having fun with a enjoyable time out.
Apparently, it’s the world’s highest navigable aqueduct (although what number of aqueducts are there, actually?). Whether or not you stroll or sail alongside the aqueduct your self or witness it from afar, you’ll little question be impressed by the scale and scale of this construction.
Learn extra: Tips on how to have an ideal weekend in Llangollen
5. Garth Pier in Bangor
There are many issues to like about Bangor. It’s a college city, the oldest metropolis in Wales, and it has a lot of great inexperienced areas and wildlife reserves. Way more than your common coastal metropolis! However top-of-the-line issues to do in Bangor is to stroll alongside Garth Pier.
It’s a 1,500ft Grade II-listed pier relationship again to the flip of the Twentieth century. What makes it so distinctive and cute are the small rainbow-coloured huts that line both aspect of the pier. Each is a teeny tiny cafe, restaurant, or store. You gained’t be capable to preserve your self from exploring each single one.
6. Caernarfon Citadel
The subsequent UNESCO fortress of North Wales is Caernarfon Citadel close to Anglesey. Additionally it is a miraculously conserved fortress contemplating it’s round 80 years outdated. Like Conwy Citadel, it sits on a stupendous stretch of shoreline subsequent to an enthralling seaside city.
One of many the explanation why guests adore these castles a lot is as a result of they exceed your expectations and look far larger in individual than of their images. Together with the fascinating exhibitions, you’ll study lots about Caernarfon’s historical past and gained’t depart disenchanted.
Learn extra: Staying in a Bathtub Towel in town partitions of Caernarfon Citadel
7. Ll?n Peninsula
The Ll?n Peninsula is a large space, so it’s in all probability dishonest to incorporate the entire chunk as top-of-the-line issues to do in North Wales! However it’s an official “Space of Pure Magnificence” which simply goes to point out how a lot of North Wales is totally gorgeous.
You’re not often greater than a 10-minute drive away from the shoreline in any city on the peninsula. And there are tons of mountaineering trails, just like the Ll?n Coastal Path. The 4-mile Porth Neigwl seaside is especially lovely, as is Traeth Porthor seaside.
Learn extra: Two of my favorite seashores on the Llyn Peninsula are Porth Iago and Llanbedrog Seashore.
8. Holyhead in Anglesey
Anglesey is an island and essentially the most north-westerly level in Wales. There may be a lot to do on this island however in the event you’ve by no means visited earlier than then you must undoubtedly take a look at Holyhead. It’s the biggest city in Anglesey with a lot of good museums, eating places, and monuments.
One of the vital picturesque elements of Holyhead is the South Stack Lighthouse. It’s a pristine white constructing perched on prime of a hill surrounded by nothing however sea and there are guided excursions within the peak summer time season.
Learn extra: Glamping in Anglesey with Splendidly Wild
9. Adventures at Zip World
If leisurely hikes and charming seaside villages aren’t thrilling sufficient for you, North Wales can nonetheless ship. Zip World gives zip-lining, underground trampolining, go-karting, and extra in 5 areas like quarries, slate caverns, and forests.
The Zip World at Penrhyn Quarry in Snowdonia is the quickest zip line on this planet. It’s over 1.5km in size and can make you journey sooner than 100mph!
Learn extra: An adventurous highway journey by means of North Wales (together with mountaineering up Snowdon and doing the massive zipline at ZipWorld!)
10. Llandudno Pier
However who doesn’t love charming seaside resort cities?! Among the finest issues to do in North Wales is to go to Llandudno with its pastel seafront buildings, two massive seashores, and Victorian options. You’ll be able to nonetheless catch a Punch and Judy present on Llandudno Promenade and journey the Victorian trams that date again to 1902.
However one of the best factor to see in Llandudno is the pier. It undoubtedly seems precisely because it did within the Victorian period full with novelty shops and meals stalls.
Learn extra: A day visiting Gwyrth Citadel, Llandudno and Conwy
11. Beaumaris Citadel
If Conwy and Caernarfon didn’t satiate your need for medieval castles, take a look at Beaumaris Citadel. It’s located on the jap coast of Anglesey overlooking the Menai Strait and is not any much less spectacular than its UNESCO brothers.
In the course of the peak summer time season, Beaumaris Citadel hosts a lot of enjoyable actions and occasions too.
Learn extra: A weekend glamping at Splendidly Wild (which is in Beaumaris)
12. Erddig Corridor in Wrexham
Owned by the Nationwide Belief, Erddig Corridor is a big manor home relationship again to the seventeenth century round two miles outdoors of Wrexham. Not solely is the home and its interiors lovely, however the 12,000-acre backyard alone is price a go to.
Enjoyable reality: The Yorke household owned the property for 240 years after the unique proprietor went bankrupt constructing the property. And each single proprietor both had the title Simon or Philip! Christmas dinner should’ve been so complicated for his or her household.
Learn extra: 10 unmissable Nationwide Belief points of interest in North Wales
13. Longest Place Title in Europe
Are you able to go to Anglesey with out stopping by the village that has the longest place title in Europe? Completely not! It’s absolutely on each British individual’s bucket checklist to make a pilgrimage to this tongue-twister of a city and take a selfie with the prepare station signal.
The village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch didn’t at all times bear this comically lengthy title. In 1860, they determined to mix the names of a number of cities as a PR stunt. And it labored! There are a number of shorter variations however they’re nowhere close to as enjoyable.
So, what does it imply in English? One thing like “St Mary’s Church within the Hole of the White Hazel close to a Speedy Whirlpool and the Church of St Tysilio close to the Crimson Cave.”
14. Bodnant Backyard
Simply outdoors of Snowdonia Nationwide Park is Bodnant Backyard, an 80-acre backyard with crops collected from all around the world. There are many paths so you possibly can simply entry the well-manicured lawns and flowerbeds.
With so many crops and evergreen species, there’s a lot to see in each season.
15. Harlech Citadel
Harlech Citadel is the ultimate fortress of the 4 medieval castles constructed by King Edward I that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Web site. That is essentially the most southerly of the castles and, just like the others, is in spectacular situation.
You’ll be able to climb the town partitions for views throughout Snowdonia to the east and the shoreline to the west. Citadel workers gown up in medieval costumes so it’s a enjoyable time out for the entire household!
Learn extra: Exploring Harlech and Harlech Citadel
16. Nationwide Slate Museum
I’ll admit, visiting a Nationwide Slate Museum sounds as enjoyable as a Watching Paint Dry Museum. However slate quarries are tremendous necessary to the historical past of North Wales and there are lots of interactive shows that make studying about slate rather more attention-grabbing.
The museum is definitely a former Victorian slate quarry in Llanberis. So not solely does the positioning have a lot of the outdated equipment and artefacts within the place they’d have been used, it’s on the foot of Mount Snowdon too.
17. Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways
I don’t know what it’s about children and trains, however for some cause, they adore a prepare journey! Particularly when it’s an old-timey steam prepare like those they’ve at Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways.
There are many steam trains and railway traces used as vacationer points of interest versus public transport in North Wales. However what makes this one stand out is its location. This journey will permit you to journey 14 miles with phenomenal countryside views.
18. Smallest Home in Nice Britain
Would you be capable to dwell in a home that measures 1.8m vast and has simply two rooms? A fisherman in Conwy did! Immediately, this Sixteenth-century cottage is open for guests through the peak summer time season.
Begin getting ready to listen to feedback like “I can’t imagine it’s so small!” and “there’s not even room to swing a cat!” now.
19. Nice Orme Summit Cable Automobile
When you’re in Llandudno and having fun with the Victorian pier, you possibly can head barely out of the city and hop on a cable automotive as much as the highest of Nice Orme. It first opened in 1969 and gives pretty views of the coast and Llandudno.
20. Penrhyn Citadel & Backyard
It’s not North Wales’s fault that it’s overflowing with unbelievable fortresses that they’re all price visiting. However Penrhyn Citadel may be very completely different from the medieval castles on this checklist as a result of it solely dates again to 1820.
It’s a Neo-Norman construction with genuine and surprisingly ornate interiors. It’s the reward that retains on giving with lovely gardens, a railway museum, and an honest paintings assortment too.
21. Traeth Abermaw (Barmouth) Seashore
One of many prime issues to do in North Wales is to go to a seaside. Any seaside! There are actually tons of of gorgeous and pristine seashores in North Wales and most of them gained’t disappoint.
However since it will take weeks to checklist all of them, let’s begin with one. Traeth Abermaw in Barmouth is without doubt one of the most highly-rated, well-loved seashores because of its tender sand, clear waters, and native city.
22. Plas Newydd Home and Gardens
This historic mansion sits on the coast of Anglesey overlooking the Menai Strait not too removed from the Pont Britannia bridge. It’s a stupendous stately house relationship again to the 18th century with a modest manicured backyard and an in depth artwork assortment.
Lots of the properties on this checklist, together with Plas Newydd Home, are run by the Nationwide Belief. You probably have a membership, you would take pleasure in many days out in North Wales with out spending an additional penny!
23. Gelert’s Grave in Beddgelert
Do you wish to take pleasure in a stroll in Snowdonia Nationwide Park however don’t fancy tackling Mount Snowdon? You might have loads of choices, however one which comes with a little bit of native folklore is close to Beddgelert.
Lengthy story brief, Gelert was the Thirteenth-century Prince Llywelyn’s searching hound. The prince mistakenly thought that his devoted canine had damage his child and tragically killed him, solely to find too late that his child was nice. Immediately, there’s a monument and tombstone devoted to the canine simply outdoors the city that bears Gelert’s title.
There’s a stunning riverside stroll from the grave and the primary half is a clean path so it’s completely accessible.
24. Welsh Mountain Zoo
Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay is a good time out in North Wales for the entire household. Not solely is it in a stupendous coastal location, but it surely additionally homes uncommon animals you may not see in different UK zoos like purple pandas, camels, and snow leopards.
25. Aber Falls Waterfall and Distillery
One thing slightly extra uncommon to do in North Wales is to take a look at the Aber Falls Distillery. Aber Falls is a stupendous waterfall and the distillery close by is housed in a contemporary, Scandinavian-style constructing with massive home windows overlooking the shoreline.
You’ll be able to take pleasure in a tasting of their whisky, gin, and liqueurs onsite. And in the event you’re driving, you should buy some to take house with you from their reward store.
Learn extra: 10 issues it’s essential to know earlier than visiting Aber Falls
