Top 10 things to do in North Wales
Get your binoculars out at Conwy RSPB Nature Reserve
The Conwy estuary is a glorious spot, and here on its banks there are views of Snowdonia and the imposing Conwy Castle – but the sightings of birds may distract you. Extravagantly beaked godwits and red-beaked shelducks are stars among the 200 or so species that have been spotted here, and lapwings, with their crested heads, also frequent the area.
The visitor centre’s affable experts will help you get sightings on one of their regular guided walks on pushchair-friendly paths. When you’re all birded out, relax over a cake and coffee in the waterside café.
More info:
Find a local hotel
www.rspb.org.uk/conwy
Go upstairs/downstairs at Erdigg, near Wrexham
Voted ‘Britain’s best historic house’ on the UKTV History channel, Erdigg has lots to recommend it, inside and out.
It’s set in the grounds of a 1,200-acre park, with the Clywedog river running alongside. Its construction began in the late 17th century in such extravagant fashion, the first owner was nearly bankrupted.
In the 18th century, historian and owner Philip Yorke began the tradition of painting the servants, and composed little songs about them. You can still see some of the rather amusing paintings today.
There are fabulous collections of 18th and 19th-century furniture, and the gardens are a delight, with the restored 18th-century walled garden, and the national collection of ivies, among the highlights.
More info:
Find a local hotel
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-erddig
Have a canter at Tal y Foel Riding School, Anglesey
Take a pony or horse for a ride along the beach from this excellent riding school, which sits on the Menai Strait, across the water from Carnaerfon Castle.
Watch yachts sailing in the Strait as you lollop along, taking in the beautiful scenery from your lofty saddle.
New at the school is a guided horseback ride that takes you on a journey through the history of the area. Tal y Foel began life in the 15th century as the embarkation point for the ferry across to the castle.
More info:
Find a local hotel
www.tal-y-foel.co.uk
Go wild at Greenwood Forest Park, Snowdonia
This family adventure park, between Bangor and Carnaerfon, makes for a peach of a day out.
There are rides aplenty, including the scream-inducing Green Dragon rollercoaster, and they’ve reinvented an old favourite with the Crocodile Maze, in which you stroll a boardwalk. For the under-12s there’s the Giant Jumper, which is basically a huge bouncy pillow.
At 70 metres long, the Great Green Run is Wales’ longest toboggan-style ride, and toddlers are not left out, either – they have their own village of soft-play fun.
There are adventure playgrounds, too, and Greenwood’s forest location and eco-friendly ethos make it unique.
More info:
Find a local hotel
www.greenwoodforestpark.co.uk
Breach the stronghold of Caernarfon Castle
A bona fide World Heritage Site, this is one of the greatest of Wales’ many castles.
Built by Edward I as part of his famous ‘iron ring’ of fortresses, designed to intimidate his rebellious Welsh subjects, it looks as impregnable today as it did when it was built in the 13th century.
It stands watch over the Menai Strait, with bobbing boats artfully arranged in its wake. The polygonal towers are an unusual feature, with the massive Eagle Tower the daddy of them all.
There’s an on-site exhibition recounting the building’s memorable moments, including the investiture of Prince Charles in 1969. The castle is also home to the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum.
More info:
Find a local hotel
www.caernarfon-castle.co.uk
Let the train take the strain – up Mount Snowdon
Now of course, you could simply walk up Wales’ tallest mountain, but how about hopping on this famous non-horizontal railway instead?
Your journey begins at Llanberis station, from where you pass over viaducts and a waterfall, before entering dense forest. You move onward and upward to Rocky Valley, with amazing views of the surrounding mountains.
Finally you’ll make it all the way to the summit (providing the weather is kind), where the stunning new £8.4 million visitor centre and café will welcome you. Learn about the mountain, have a snack, then decide whether you’re going to walk back down, or cheat again and get the train…
More info:
Find a local hotel
www.snowdonrailway.co.uk
Walk the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path
Nearly all of the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path is in an area of outstanding beauty, so just pick a stretch of the 125-mile route and go for it.
There are some great circular walks to take up half a day, or perhaps a day, with that all-important pub lunch en route.
You can take walks that touch on Roman remains, walks that have great spots for porpoise and seal-watching, and walks for bird-watching. The one thing they all have in common is some of the UK’s loveliest coastal scenery. Just make sure you take the all-important OS map…
More info:
Find a local hotel
www.visitanglesey.co.uk/anglesey_coastal_path-20.aspx
Flutter around Pili Pilas Butterfly, Bird and Minibeast Palace, Anglesey
Something a bit different here for nature lovers – a sanctuary for that rather beautiful creature, the butterfly.
And that’s not all. Pili Palas, on the Menai Bridge, is also home to snakes, frogs and toads, iguanas, geckos and – whisper it – tarantulas.
You can even get a glimpse of the private lives of ants at this fascinating attraction, which also has an adventure playground and a soft play area for the little ones.
Daily activities include feeding time in Lizard Land, and a ‘jungle safari’ on the Pili Pilas nature trail, led by one of the zookeepers.
More info:
Find a local hotel
www.pilipalas.co.uk
Go white water rafting, Llangollen
North Wales is a bit of a haven for lovers of high-adrenaline activities, and white water rafting in the glorious Vale of Llangollen is great fun.
A family can get together in a team and go careering along the River Dee, down Tombstone Weir, Middle Stopper and Factory Falls. You don’t need any experience, and you can choose a route, between gentle and, shall we say, highly exhilarating. Experienced instructors will ensure you have a great, safe time.
Don’t forget your towel because one thing’s for sure: you will get wet.
More info:
Find a local hotel
www.whitewateractive.co.uk
Go underground at Llechwedd Slate Caverns, Blaenau Ffestiniog
The town of Blaenau Ffestiniog was a world centre of slate mining in the 19th century, its fine products being shipped all over the world.
Board the special train, down into the deep mine, then let Sion, the ‘ghost’ of a slate miner, lead you through the mine’s history, on foot. There’s an underground lake to admire, too.
Above ground, you can stroll around the exhibits and shops in the recreated 19th-century miner’s village, and enjoy a pint of local ale in the Miner’s Arms, a welcoming tavern with oak beams – and slate floors, naturally.
More info:
Find a local hotel
www.llechwedd-slate-caverns.co.uk
