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 all the time say North Wales! People typically take a look at me in disbelief. Surely 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 publish, yours will too!
Colourful fishing villages. Long stretches of craggy coastlines and delicate 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 may be shocked, however this area is without doubt one of the most fun and assorted components of the UK. Whether 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? Here are 25 of the best possible issues to do in North Wales. I’ve little doubt that you just’ll discover a number of 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 probably the greatest and hottest actions in North Wales. The pièce de résistance of Snowdonia National Park is Mount Snowdon. With a 1,085m/3,560ft elevation, It’s the tallest mountain within the nation.
If you’ve got moderately good well being and health ranges, there’s no purpose why you shouldn’t have the ability to 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 if that’s not your cup of tea, there’s a prepare you may hop on from Llanberis Station that can take you straight to the highest (climate allowing!). There’s even a restaurant on the summit too. You don’t get that sort of service on Scafell Pike!
Read 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 good looking 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, outlets, galleries, and different buildings match proper into the woodland behind the city and the shoreline in entrance.
Read extra: Visiting Portmeirion, the Italian type village in North Wales
3. Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle is one in every of 4 castles in North Wales that make up the “Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd” UNESCO World Heritage Site. These are remarkably well-preserved medieval castles constructed throughout the Thirteenth and early 14th centuries.
Conwy Castle 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 can even climb to the highest of the citadel’s towers for beautiful panoramic views alongside the River Conwy.
Read extra: 20 of the perfect castles in Wales it’s a must to go to
4. Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Llangollen Canal
Already we’re onto the subsequent UNESCO World Heritage Site in North Wales! Dating again to 1805, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is an 18-arch bridge constructed to hold coal barges throughout the Industrial Revolution. Today, it largely 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 you stroll or sail alongside the aqueduct your self or witness it from afar, you’ll little doubt be impressed by the dimensions and scale of this construction.
Read extra: How to have an ideal weekend in Llangollen
5. Garth Pier in Bangor
There are a number of issues to like about Bangor. It’s a college city, the oldest metropolis in Wales, and it has a number of fantastic inexperienced areas and wildlife reserves. Much greater than your common coastal metropolis! But probably the greatest 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 one is a teeny tiny cafe, restaurant, or store. You received’t have the ability to maintain your self from exploring each single one.
6. Caernarfon Castle
The subsequent UNESCO citadel of North Wales is Caernarfon Castle close to Anglesey. It can also be a miraculously conserved citadel contemplating it’s round 80 years outdated. Like Conwy Castle, it sits on a good looking stretch of shoreline subsequent to an enthralling seaside city.
One of the explanation why guests adore these castles a lot is as a result of they exceed your expectations and look far greater in individual than of their pictures. Along with the fascinating exhibitions, you’ll be taught so much about Caernarfon’s historical past and received’t depart dissatisfied.
Read extra: Staying in a Bath Towel in town partitions of Caernarfon Castle
7. Ll?n Peninsula
The Ll?n Peninsula is a enormous space, so it’s in all probability dishonest to incorporate the entire chunk as probably the greatest issues to do in North Wales! But it’s an official “Area of Natural Beauty” which simply goes to indicate how a lot of North Wales is totally beautiful.
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 stunning, as is Traeth Porthor seaside.
Read extra: Two of my favorite seashores on the Llyn Peninsula are Porth Iago and Llanbedrog Beach.
8. Holyhead in Anglesey
Anglesey is an island and probably the most north-westerly level in Wales. There is a lot to do on this island however should you’ve by no means visited earlier than then it is best to undoubtedly take a look at Holyhead. It’s the most important city in Anglesey with a number of good museums, eating places, and monuments.
One of probably the most picturesque components of Holyhead is the South Stack Lighthouse. It’s a pristine white constructing perched on high of a hill surrounded by nothing however sea and there are guided excursions within the peak summer season season.
Read extra: Glamping in Anglesey with Wonderfully 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!
Read extra: An adventurous street journey by North Wales (together with mountaineering up Snowdon and doing the large zipline at ZipWorld!)
10. Llandudno Pier
But who doesn’t love charming seaside resort cities?! One of the perfect issues to do in North Wales is to go to Llandudno with its pastel seafront buildings, two giant seashores, and Victorian options. You can nonetheless catch a Punch and Judy present on Llandudno Promenade and experience the Victorian trams that date again to 1902.
But the perfect 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.
Read extra: A day visiting Gwyrth Castle, Llandudno and Conwy
11. Beaumaris Castle
If Conwy and Caernarfon didn’t satiate your want for medieval castles, take a look at Beaumaris Castle. It’s located on the japanese coast of Anglesey overlooking the Menai Strait and is not any much less spectacular than its UNESCO brothers.
During the height summer season season, Beaumaris Castle hosts a number of enjoyable actions and occasions too.
Read extra: A weekend glamping at Wonderfully Wild (which is in Beaumaris)
12. Erddig Hall in Wrexham
Owned by the National Trust, Erddig Hall is a big manor home relationship 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 price a go to.
Fun 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.
Read extra: 10 unmissable National Trust sights in North Wales
13. Longest Place Name in Europe
Can you go to Anglesey with out stopping by the village that has the longest place title in Europe? Absolutely not! It’s absolutely on each British individual’s bucket listing 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 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? Something like “St Mary’s Church in the Hollow of the White Hazel near a Rapid Whirlpool and the Church of St Tysilio near the Red Cave.”
14. Bodnant Garden
Just exterior of Snowdonia National Park is Bodnant Garden, an 80-acre backyard with crops collected from all around the world. There are a number of paths so you may 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 Castle
Harlech Castle is the ultimate citadel of the 4 medieval castles constructed by King Edward I that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is probably the most southerly of the castles and, just like the others, is in spectacular situation.
You can climb the town partitions for views throughout Snowdonia to the east and the shoreline to the west. Castle workers gown up in medieval costumes so it’s a enjoyable day trip for the entire household!
Read extra: Exploring Harlech and Harlech Castle
16. National Slate Museum
I’ll admit, visiting a National Slate Museum sounds as enjoyable as a Watching Paint Dry Museum. But slate quarries are tremendous vital to the historical past of North Wales and there are numerous interactive shows that make studying about slate far more attention-grabbing.
The museum is definitely a former Victorian slate quarry in Llanberis. So not solely does the positioning have a number 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 youngsters and trains, however for some purpose, they adore a prepare experience! Especially when it’s an old-timey steam prepare like those they’ve at Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways.
There are a number of steam trains and railway strains used as vacationer sights versus public transport in North Wales. But what makes this one stand out is its location. This journey will let you journey 14 miles with phenomenal countryside views.
18. Smallest House in Great Britain
Would you have the ability to reside in a home that measures 1.8m vast and has simply two rooms? A fisherman in Conwy did! Today, this Sixteenth-century cottage is open for guests throughout the peak summer season season.
Start making ready to listen to feedback like “I can’t believe it’s so small!” and “there’s not even room to swing a cat!” now.
19. Great Orme Summit Cable Car
While 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 Great Orme. It first opened in 1969 and gives beautiful views of the coast and Llandudno.
20. Penrhyn Castle & Garden
It’s not North Wales’s fault that it’s overflowing with unimaginable fortresses that they’re all price visiting. But Penrhyn Castle may be very completely different from the medieval castles on this listing 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 an honest art work assortment too.
21. Traeth Abermaw (Barmouth) Beach
One of the highest issues to do in North Wales is to go to a seaside. Any seaside! There are actually a whole bunch of beautiful and pristine seashores in North Wales and most of them received’t disappoint.
But since it could take weeks to listing 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 delicate sand, clear waters, and native city.
22. Plas Newydd House 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 good looking stately dwelling relationship again to the 18th century with a modest manicured backyard and an intensive artwork assortment.
Many of the properties on this listing, together with Plas Newydd House, are run by the National Trust. If you’ve got a membership, you may get pleasure from many days out in North Wales with out spending an additional penny!
23. Gelert’s Grave in Beddgelert
Do you wish to get pleasure from a stroll in Snowdonia National Park however don’t fancy tackling Mount Snowdon? You have loads of choices, however one which comes with a little bit of native folklore is close to Beddgelert.
Long story brief, Gelert was the Thirteenth-century Prince Llywelyn’s looking 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 positive. Today, 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 superb day trip in North Wales for the entire household. Not solely is it in a good looking 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
Something a bit of extra uncommon to do in North Wales is to take a look at the Aber Falls Distillery. Aber Falls is a good looking waterfall and the distillery close by is housed in a contemporary, Scandinavian-style constructing with giant home windows overlooking the shoreline.
You can get pleasure from a tasting of their whisky, gin, and liqueurs onsite. And should you’re driving, you should buy some to take dwelling with you from their present store.
Read extra: 10 issues you could know earlier than visiting Aber Falls