Ashley’s North Wales guidebook
Beaches
Abersoch is approximately an hour from the property however it’s well worth it and is known as the Welsh Riviera which pays gratitude to its unique micro-climate. Abersoch boasts miles of sandy coastline and the beach huts are extremely cute. Water sports are very popular in the area and boats and canoes are available to hire along the seafront. Again, there are tonnes of places to eat, Micky’s Boatyard & Beach café is a firm favourite, they offer good quality and value for money food and drinks as well as picturesque views as a reward after a stroll down the coast.
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Abersoch
Abersoch is approximately an hour from the property however it’s well worth it and is known as the Welsh Riviera which pays gratitude to its unique micro-climate. Abersoch boasts miles of sandy coastline and the beach huts are extremely cute. Water sports are very popular in the area and boats and canoes are available to hire along the seafront. Again, there are tonnes of places to eat, Micky’s Boatyard & Beach café is a firm favourite, they offer good quality and value for money food and drinks as well as picturesque views as a reward after a stroll down the coast.
Portmeirion arguably one of the most interesting things to see in North Wales, an Italian style village. It will take you around 45 minutes to get here from the property however you will feel like you have arrived in Italy, Portmeirion is owned by a charitable trust and is open daily 09:30 until 17:30, tickets are required so ensure you book in advance to avoid disappointment.
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Portmeirion
Portmeirion arguably one of the most interesting things to see in North Wales, an Italian style village. It will take you around 45 minutes to get here from the property however you will feel like you have arrived in Italy, Portmeirion is owned by a charitable trust and is open daily 09:30 until 17:30, tickets are required so ensure you book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Llandudno is the closest beach to the house taking 20 minutes by car or train. There are two beaches in Llandudno, North Shore and West Shore. North Shore is a pebbled beach and is where the pier is located, this is your more traditional seaside resort beach with fish and chip shops, amusement arcades and rides. Should you have the idea of Fish and Chips on the beach be prepared to share them with the overly confident seagulls, a friend and I had this idea and she lost half her fish to the brave seagull who had no fear and swept down was off, we resided to the car after this experience. West Shore beach is where I spent an extensive amount of my childhood there is a sandy beach as well as a large children’s play park. As well as having miles of coastline Llandudno also offers much more, shopping, cable cars or Victorian tram journeys up to Great Orme, an all-weather ski and snowboard centre, a number of museums and art galleries, a 700-metre toboggan run as well as botanical gardens. Llandudno is a very good day trip. If you are visiting at the start of May make sure you check out the Victorian Extravaganza which is Wales largest free event, the town is overruled and taken back in time to Victorian times, there are pre planned events as well as street performers and market stalls, it’s one of the best weekends of the Welsh tourist calendar.
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Llandudno
Llandudno is the closest beach to the house taking 20 minutes by car or train. There are two beaches in Llandudno, North Shore and West Shore. North Shore is a pebbled beach and is where the pier is located, this is your more traditional seaside resort beach with fish and chip shops, amusement arcades and rides. Should you have the idea of Fish and Chips on the beach be prepared to share them with the overly confident seagulls, a friend and I had this idea and she lost half her fish to the brave seagull who had no fear and swept down was off, we resided to the car after this experience. West Shore beach is where I spent an extensive amount of my childhood there is a sandy beach as well as a large children’s play park. As well as having miles of coastline Llandudno also offers much more, shopping, cable cars or Victorian tram journeys up to Great Orme, an all-weather ski and snowboard centre, a number of museums and art galleries, a 700-metre toboggan run as well as botanical gardens. Llandudno is a very good day trip. If you are visiting at the start of May make sure you check out the Victorian Extravaganza which is Wales largest free event, the town is overruled and taken back in time to Victorian times, there are pre planned events as well as street performers and market stalls, it’s one of the best weekends of the Welsh tourist calendar.
Towns worth a visit
Only a 10 minute drive or train journey from the property is the lovely village of Betws-y- Coed. You could even cycle as its only 4 or 5miles depending on the route you choose, both have some hills, Google says just over 20 mins but allow a bit longer if you aren’t Bradley Wiggins. Betws-y-Coed is an extremely popular place to visit and is full of loads of cute shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. There are heaps of walks too, a nice pleasant short walk is one to Swallow Falls, its approximately 2 miles from the town but is an area of outstanding beauty and well worth the visit, when I last visited the entrance was £2 but it may of gone up, it is however a lovely site to see and dogs are allowed in too.
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Betws-y-Coed
Only a 10 minute drive or train journey from the property is the lovely village of Betws-y- Coed. You could even cycle as its only 4 or 5miles depending on the route you choose, both have some hills, Google says just over 20 mins but allow a bit longer if you aren’t Bradley Wiggins. Betws-y-Coed is an extremely popular place to visit and is full of loads of cute shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. There are heaps of walks too, a nice pleasant short walk is one to Swallow Falls, its approximately 2 miles from the town but is an area of outstanding beauty and well worth the visit, when I last visited the entrance was £2 but it may of gone up, it is however a lovely site to see and dogs are allowed in too.
20 minuets by car or around an hour by train or bus, the bus is also departs from the station, if you opt for train you will have change at Llandudno Junction. Conwy is home to a beautiful 13th century Conwy Castle, built by King Edward I over 700 years ago the castle still very much dwarfs the narrow street of the town, amazingly the castle and the town walls only took 4 years to build between 1283 & 1287, it is truly breath taking when you stop and admire this fortress. Admission is £10.40 pp but with discounts for families, students, juniors and seniors, under 5 entry is free. Equally impressive but the polar opposite in its size is Great Britain’s smallest house, Quay House. Even though its small it’s hard to walk past with radiant red exterior you will defiantly notice it if not confuse it with a post box. Entry is only a pound for adults and 50p for under 16’s, you can’t take cats in though as there is no room to swing them. Another slice of history can be found in the Elizabethan property Plas Mawr meaning Great Hall. Built in the 16th Century Plas Mawr is an opulent townhouse enriched in history. Combination tickets can be bought with you Conwy Castle entrance but also can be purchased on their own, adult entry is £7.70 but again there are discounts for groups and age ranges. Conwy does have much more to offer than different sized historic property’s though and the harbour is great place to sit and relax with some refreshments.
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Conwy
20 minuets by car or around an hour by train or bus, the bus is also departs from the station, if you opt for train you will have change at Llandudno Junction. Conwy is home to a beautiful 13th century Conwy Castle, built by King Edward I over 700 years ago the castle still very much dwarfs the narrow street of the town, amazingly the castle and the town walls only took 4 years to build between 1283 & 1287, it is truly breath taking when you stop and admire this fortress. Admission is £10.40 pp but with discounts for families, students, juniors and seniors, under 5 entry is free. Equally impressive but the polar opposite in its size is Great Britain’s smallest house, Quay House. Even though its small it’s hard to walk past with radiant red exterior you will defiantly notice it if not confuse it with a post box. Entry is only a pound for adults and 50p for under 16’s, you can’t take cats in though as there is no room to swing them. Another slice of history can be found in the Elizabethan property Plas Mawr meaning Great Hall. Built in the 16th Century Plas Mawr is an opulent townhouse enriched in history. Combination tickets can be bought with you Conwy Castle entrance but also can be purchased on their own, adult entry is £7.70 but again there are discounts for groups and age ranges. Conwy does have much more to offer than different sized historic property’s though and the harbour is great place to sit and relax with some refreshments.
It is no surprise that because Wales has more castle’s than any other European country that I mention another castle this time, Caernarfon Castle. It’s under an hour’s drive from my property and is accessible via public transport but it will take you a long time. The castle was again built by Kind Edward I in the 13th Century and again is awe inspiring how a building of
its gigantic size was built by pure people power and no machinery. The town itself I’m afraid doesn’t have the same impact, I wouldn’t recommend going here with the intention of spending the day but is worth a visit if you find your popping to the beaches of Angeslsey or part of your lovely time the day you go to Bangor.
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Caernarfon
It is no surprise that because Wales has more castle’s than any other European country that I mention another castle this time, Caernarfon Castle. It’s under an hour’s drive from my property and is accessible via public transport but it will take you a long time. The castle was again built by Kind Edward I in the 13th Century and again is awe inspiring how a building of
its gigantic size was built by pure people power and no machinery. The town itself I’m afraid doesn’t have the same impact, I wouldn’t recommend going here with the intention of spending the day but is worth a visit if you find your popping to the beaches of Angeslsey or part of your lovely time the day you go to Bangor.
Again, not advisable by public transport but only a 30 minute drive away is the village of Begggelrt. Although it’s a pain to get here by public transport it’s your most convenient place to embark on a journey on the Welsh Highland railway a spectacular steam train journey through the heart of Snowdonia. To discover the whole line will take hours so please head to their website to plan your journey in advance. I would recommend tying in a visit to Caernafon castle as the views are excellent make sure however you have enough time to get back for some award-winning ice cream in Glaslyn, their pizzas are yummy too and topped with local ingredients.
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Beddgelert
Again, not advisable by public transport but only a 30 minute drive away is the village of Begggelrt. Although it’s a pain to get here by public transport it’s your most convenient place to embark on a journey on the Welsh Highland railway a spectacular steam train journey through the heart of Snowdonia. To discover the whole line will take hours so please head to their website to plan your journey in advance. I would recommend tying in a visit to Caernafon castle as the views are excellent make sure however you have enough time to get back for some award-winning ice cream in Glaslyn, their pizzas are yummy too and topped with local ingredients.
Local attractions
Originally called Surf Snowdonia it got a rebrand in 2019 to Adventure Parc Snowdonia. Surf Snowdonia was the worlds first inland surf centre, they offer lessons if you are a beginner but also have intermediate and advance zones such you be a more experienced surfer. The reason for the rebrand was they now offer much more than just surfing and even some that involve not getting wet. Indoor activities include a Ninja assault course, some inspiration has been taken from the TV Ninja Warrior so embody your inner Ninja and attempt to tackle the Ariel assault course, extreme slides and the UK’s only kicker flight slide. Indoor climbing with 10 challenging climbing walls and for the braver climbers a leap of faith. Indoor caving burrow your way through meters of indoor caves although they are artificial you will still be forced to clamber and squeeze through the caves. High ropes embrace your fears and take on the challenge of the indoor high ropes, they will test the nerves even if you don’t suffer with vertigo. Back outdoors there are 12 climbing walls and a zip wire that send you plummeting across the surfing pool as well as giving you a bird’s eye view of Snowdonia. For smaller visitors there is a great soft play area and for the scardy cats amongst us the café is great. All activities are priced individually, and all are not suitable for everyone so please head to their website to check out the prices and restrictions as well as pre booking any activities that may get your adrenaline pumping. Adventure Parc is only 10 minuets from the house by car and you can also jump on the 19 bus from the Watling Street which is just a 5 mins from the house near the Coop, the bus will only take 20 minuets. I would advise you check the bus times before booking any activities to ensure they fit in with your bookings.
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Adventure Parc Snowdonia
Conway RoadOriginally called Surf Snowdonia it got a rebrand in 2019 to Adventure Parc Snowdonia. Surf Snowdonia was the worlds first inland surf centre, they offer lessons if you are a beginner but also have intermediate and advance zones such you be a more experienced surfer. The reason for the rebrand was they now offer much more than just surfing and even some that involve not getting wet. Indoor activities include a Ninja assault course, some inspiration has been taken from the TV Ninja Warrior so embody your inner Ninja and attempt to tackle the Ariel assault course, extreme slides and the UK’s only kicker flight slide. Indoor climbing with 10 challenging climbing walls and for the braver climbers a leap of faith. Indoor caving burrow your way through meters of indoor caves although they are artificial you will still be forced to clamber and squeeze through the caves. High ropes embrace your fears and take on the challenge of the indoor high ropes, they will test the nerves even if you don’t suffer with vertigo. Back outdoors there are 12 climbing walls and a zip wire that send you plummeting across the surfing pool as well as giving you a bird’s eye view of Snowdonia. For smaller visitors there is a great soft play area and for the scardy cats amongst us the café is great. All activities are priced individually, and all are not suitable for everyone so please head to their website to check out the prices and restrictions as well as pre booking any activities that may get your adrenaline pumping. Adventure Parc is only 10 minuets from the house by car and you can also jump on the 19 bus from the Watling Street which is just a 5 mins from the house near the Coop, the bus will only take 20 minuets. I would advise you check the bus times before booking any activities to ensure they fit in with your bookings.
A chain of 3 unique exhilarating adventures sites across North Wales with none being more than 30 minuets away from the property. Zip World offers more activities for the adrenaline hungry tourists.
1. Zip World Fforst – they have 6 adventures here that will keep you busy for the day. Tree Hoopers, the title sums up what is involved really, hop between trees using a series of methods always ascending until you reach the treetops, a few zip wires are thrown in for good measures. Freefall 2, stand on the trap door and then descend at a rate of knots for 100ft, this is just one of the many “World firsts” Zip World have brought us. Fforst coaster, a UK first this time is an Alpine coaster that whips through the forest, travel alone or share your cart they also offer a filming facticity to film your journey. Treetop Nets, think a hammock but higher up and less relaxing. The bouncing nets are nestled 60 feet above the forest floor and is fun for all ages. Zip Safari 2, over half a kilometre of zip lines 18 meters above ground level, this one is the most challenging of experiences at Zip World Fforst.
2. Zip World Slate Caverns – a former slate mine has been transformed into an adventure playground. Caverns an utterly amazing experience based within the 200 year old slate mine explore the caves via various rope bridges and some 13 zip wires. Bounce below, staying underground for this one is a collection of bouncing nets and slides that allow you to jump and slide around the disused mine. The final adventure of this site is Titan, Europe’s largest zip line. With the largest zip line being 2000 meters long across the disused quarry, it’s not for the faint hearted. Don’t worry though you will be eased into the large with some smaller zip lines first that are only 1000 meters long and 385 meters above sea level.
3. Zip World Penryhn Quarry – a further 4 adventures can be found here and of course some of them are adrenaline filled but there is actually a relaxing educational adventure here. Jump onboard the quarry lorry and be treated to a tour of the quarry and learn about its past. Big Red, may not always be at the site but a short zip wire that allows your and a willing partner race 270ft beside each other. Velocity 2, fly across the quarry and be blinded by the bright blue quarry lake, that’s if you can keep your eyes open as you whizz down at nearly 100mph.
Again, all adventures are individually priced and there are restrictions on some of the activities, so I suggest checking the website. All adventures are recommended to be booked in advance.
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Zip World Fforest
A470A chain of 3 unique exhilarating adventures sites across North Wales with none being more than 30 minuets away from the property. Zip World offers more activities for the adrenaline hungry tourists.
1. Zip World Fforst – they have 6 adventures here that will keep you busy for the day. Tree Hoopers, the title sums up what is involved really, hop between trees using a series of methods always ascending until you reach the treetops, a few zip wires are thrown in for good measures. Freefall 2, stand on the trap door and then descend at a rate of knots for 100ft, this is just one of the many “World firsts” Zip World have brought us. Fforst coaster, a UK first this time is an Alpine coaster that whips through the forest, travel alone or share your cart they also offer a filming facticity to film your journey. Treetop Nets, think a hammock but higher up and less relaxing. The bouncing nets are nestled 60 feet above the forest floor and is fun for all ages. Zip Safari 2, over half a kilometre of zip lines 18 meters above ground level, this one is the most challenging of experiences at Zip World Fforst.
2. Zip World Slate Caverns – a former slate mine has been transformed into an adventure playground. Caverns an utterly amazing experience based within the 200 year old slate mine explore the caves via various rope bridges and some 13 zip wires. Bounce below, staying underground for this one is a collection of bouncing nets and slides that allow you to jump and slide around the disused mine. The final adventure of this site is Titan, Europe’s largest zip line. With the largest zip line being 2000 meters long across the disused quarry, it’s not for the faint hearted. Don’t worry though you will be eased into the large with some smaller zip lines first that are only 1000 meters long and 385 meters above sea level.
3. Zip World Penryhn Quarry – a further 4 adventures can be found here and of course some of them are adrenaline filled but there is actually a relaxing educational adventure here. Jump onboard the quarry lorry and be treated to a tour of the quarry and learn about its past. Big Red, may not always be at the site but a short zip wire that allows your and a willing partner race 270ft beside each other. Velocity 2, fly across the quarry and be blinded by the bright blue quarry lake, that’s if you can keep your eyes open as you whizz down at nearly 100mph.
Again, all adventures are individually priced and there are restrictions on some of the activities, so I suggest checking the website. All adventures are recommended to be booked in advance.
This attraction has been around for quite some time now and is the highest mountain in Wales. Enjoy the attraction that nature gave us an and Wales contribution to the UK’s 3 peaks challenge. With an elevation of 1085 meters it will take you around 6 hours to reach the peak, over half a million avid walkers take on the challenge each year. It worth looking into the different routes and choose the route that suits your capability best. My preferred route is the Snowdon Mountain Railway that gets you to the summit in no time.
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Snowdon
This attraction has been around for quite some time now and is the highest mountain in Wales. Enjoy the attraction that nature gave us an and Wales contribution to the UK’s 3 peaks challenge. With an elevation of 1085 meters it will take you around 6 hours to reach the peak, over half a million avid walkers take on the challenge each year. It worth looking into the different routes and choose the route that suits your capability best. My preferred route is the Snowdon Mountain Railway that gets you to the summit in no time.