I’m fortunate sufficient to have lived in North Wales for almost all of my life. When requested the place my favorite place on the planet is, I all the time say North Wales! Individuals usually take a look at me in disbelief. Absolutely my favorite place can 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 publish, yours will too!
Vibrant fishing villages. Lengthy stretches of craggy coastlines and comfortable 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 strains, and the longest place names. It’s time for everybody to lastly uncover precisely what North Wales can provide!
You is likely to be shocked, however this area is without doubt one of the most enjoyable and different components of the UK. Whether or not you’re a seashore 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 below are 25 of the very best issues to do in North Wales. I’ve little doubt that you simply’ll discover numerous actions on this stunning a part of the UK that the entire household will get pleasure from.
25 issues to do in North Wales
1. Climb Mount Snowdon
Let’s begin with among the finest 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.
In case you have fairly good well being and health ranges, there’s no cause why you shouldn’t be capable of climb and summit Snowdon. There are round six completely different paths you may 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 practice you may 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 type of service on Scafell Pike!
Learn extra: What to put on to climb Snowdon
2. Portmeirion Fishing Village
It’s tough to think about that an Italian Riviera-style village would ever exist in North Wales, nevertheless it’s true. Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis constructed Portmeirion on his personal property within the mid-Twentieth century. He needed to show that a ravishing place could possibly be constructed with out spoiling the pure fantastic 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 type village in North Wales
3. Conwy Citadel
Conwy Citadel is one among 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 citadel is, however as a result of its city partitions, suspension bridge, and general magnificence additionally draw folks to Conwy. You may as well climb to the highest of the citadel’s towers for beautiful panoramic views alongside the River Conwy.
Learn extra: 20 of the most effective castles in Wales you must go to
4. Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Llangollen Canal
Already we’re onto the subsequent 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. At this time, it principally serves canal boats and walkers having fun with a enjoyable day trip.
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 doubt be impressed by the scale and scale of this construction.
Learn extra: Methods 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 numerous fantastic inexperienced areas and wildlife reserves. Far more than your common coastal metropolis! However among the finest issues to do in Bangor is to stroll alongside Garth Pier.
It’s a 1,500ft Grade II-listed pier courting 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 of preserve your self from exploring each single one.
6. Caernarfon Citadel
The subsequent UNESCO citadel of North Wales is Caernarfon Citadel close to Anglesey. It is usually a miraculously conserved citadel contemplating it’s round 80 years outdated. Like Conwy Citadel, it sits on a ravishing 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 particular person than of their pictures. Together with the fascinating exhibitions, you’ll study so much about Caernarfon’s historical past and gained’t go away disillusioned.
Learn extra: Staying in a Tub Towel in town partitions of Caernarfon Citadel
7. Ll?n Peninsula
The Ll?n Peninsula is a enormous space, so it’s most likely dishonest to incorporate the entire chunk as among the finest issues to do in North Wales! Nevertheless it’s an official “Space of Pure Magnificence” which simply goes to point out how a lot of North Wales is completely gorgeous.
You’re hardly ever 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 seashore is especially stunning, as is Traeth Porthor seashore.
Learn extra: Two of my favorite seashores on the Llyn Peninsula are Porth Iago and Llanbedrog Seaside.
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 if you happen to’ve by no means visited earlier than then it’s best to undoubtedly try Holyhead. It’s the biggest city in Anglesey with numerous good museums, eating places, and monuments.
One of the picturesque components 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 season 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 affords 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 the planet. It’s over 1.5km in size and can make you journey sooner than 100mph!
Learn extra: An adventurous street journey by 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?! Probably the greatest issues to do in North Wales is to go to Llandudno with its pastel seafront buildings, two giant seashores, and Victorian options. You possibly can nonetheless catch a Punch and Judy present on Llandudno Promenade and experience the Victorian trams that date again to 1902.
However the most effective factor to see in Llandudno is the pier. It undoubtedly seems to be 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 want for medieval castles, try 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 season season, Beaumaris Citadel hosts numerous 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 large manor home courting again to the seventeenth century round two miles exterior of Wrexham. Not solely is the home and its interiors stunning, however the 12,000-acre backyard alone is value a go to.
Enjoyable truth: 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 sights 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 particular person’s bucket checklist to make a pilgrimage to this tongue-twister of a city and take a selfie with the practice station signal.
The village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch didn’t all the time 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 Purple Cave.”
14. Bodnant Backyard
Simply exterior of Snowdonia Nationwide Park is Bodnant Backyard, an 80-acre backyard with vegetation collected from everywhere in the world. There are many paths so you may simply entry the well-manicured lawns and flowerbeds.
With so many vegetation and evergreen species, there’s loads to see in each season.
15. Harlech Citadel
Harlech Citadel is the ultimate citadel 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 possibly can climb the town partitions for views throughout Snowdonia to the east and the shoreline to the west. Citadel employees gown up in medieval costumes so it’s a enjoyable day trip 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 vital to the historical past of North Wales and there are lots of interactive shows that make studying about slate way more fascinating.
The museum is definitely a former Victorian slate quarry in Llanberis. So not solely does the location have numerous 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 youngsters and trains, however for some cause, they adore a practice experience! Particularly when it’s an old-timey steam practice like those they’ve at Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways.
There are many steam trains and railway strains used as vacationer sights versus public transport in North Wales. However what makes this one stand out is its location. This journey will mean you can journey 14 miles with phenomenal countryside views.
18. Smallest Home in Nice Britain
Would you be capable of dwell in a home that measures 1.8m huge and has simply two rooms? A fisherman in Conwy did! At this time, this Sixteenth-century cottage is open for guests through the peak summer season season.
Begin making 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 Automotive
Whilst you’re in Llandudno and having fun with the Victorian pier, you may head barely out of the city and hop on a cable automobile as much as the highest of Nice Orme. It first opened in 1969 and affords beautiful views of the coast and Llandudno.
20. Penrhyn Citadel & Backyard
It’s not North Wales’s fault that it’s overflowing with unimaginable fortresses that they’re all value 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 present that retains on giving with stunning gardens, a railway museum, and a good art work assortment too.
21. Traeth Abermaw (Barmouth) Seaside
One of many prime issues to do in North Wales is to go to a seashore. Any seashore! There are actually lots 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 comfortable 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 ravishing stately dwelling courting 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. In case you have a membership, you might get pleasure from many days out in North Wales with out spending an additional penny!
23. Gelert’s Grave in Beddgelert
Do you need to get pleasure from a stroll in Snowdonia Nationwide Park however don’t fancy tackling Mount Snowdon? You will have loads of choices, however one which comes with a little bit of native folklore is close to Beddgelert.
Lengthy story quick, Gelert was the Thirteenth-century Prince Llywelyn’s looking hound. The prince mistakenly thought that his trustworthy canine had damage his child and tragically killed him, solely to find too late that his child was nice. At this time, there’s a monument and tombstone devoted to the canine simply exterior the city that bears Gelert’s title.
There’s a beautiful riverside stroll from the grave and the primary half is a easy path so it’s completely accessible.
24. Welsh Mountain Zoo
Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay is a good day trip in North Wales for the entire household. Not solely is it in a ravishing coastal location, nevertheless it additionally homes uncommon animals you may not see in different UK zoos like pink pandas, camels, and snow leopards.
25. Aber Falls Waterfall and Distillery
One thing just a little extra uncommon to do in North Wales is to take a look at the Aber Falls Distillery. Aber Falls is a ravishing waterfall and the distillery close by is housed in a contemporary, Scandinavian-style constructing with giant home windows overlooking the shoreline.
You possibly can get pleasure from a tasting of their whisky, gin, and liqueurs onsite. And if you happen to’re driving, you should purchase some to take dwelling with you from their present store.
Learn extra: 10 issues you might want to know earlier than visiting Aber Falls