Wales - The most beautiful place.
Wales is a country in the UK and in my opionon the most beautiful country there is, with its rugged coastline, moutainous national parks, glorious lakes and beautiful sandy beaches, whats not to love about this country.
The north of wales is somewhere I visit a few times a year as its only a couple of hours drive from where we live and is the perfect place to take the kids in the summer.
You will have seen some of Wales’s captivating scenery in many blockbuster movies such as Willow , Tomb Raider and The James Bond movie The World Is Not Enough, all of them filmed in the majestic Snowdonia region.
Since its formation 540 million years ago, North Wales has seen its fair share of ice caps, volcanoes, and earthquakes – it’s what makes Snowdonia so distinct and the region so mineral rich
Llandudno
Llandudno used to be a small settlement of mainly copper mine workers. This trade and the addition of more churches did result in a significant population boost of about a thousand in 1847 but it was the Victorian desire for seaside getaways that inspired Llandudno to become a holiday destination.
You will find the longest pier in Wales in Llandudno stretching out 2,295 feet (700 m), Attractions on the pier include a bar, a café, amusement arcades, children’s fairground rides and an assortment of shops & kiosks.
Still today the Victorian buildings line the sea front and the Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza takes place on the first May bank holiday weekend each year which is 3 days of vintage attractions, entertainment and fun fairs and is completely FREE for visitors.
A day in Llandudno
The beach stretched 2 miles and is nestled between The Great Orme and The Little Orme.
The beaches are perfect for relaxing on a hot day, building sandcastles or taking a dip in the sea to cool down.
This is probably where we spend most of our time when we visit Llandudno as the kids love having the freedom to enjoy themselves playing in the sea.
The Great Orme is a fabulous walk but it is steep in some parts. If you don’t want to walk then there is the option of cable car which will carry you up to the top where there is a cafe and also an easier walk to the peak where you can look across the whole of Llandudno with some amazing views.
Fish & Chips
There are lots of fantastic chip shops just off the promonade where you can get fresh fish and chips, just be careful of the seagulls as they are beasts and not afraid of stealing your food off your knee.
These seagulls are like mini Rambo’s on steroids, but if you might get some laughs while your there watching them swoop down to oblivious walkers and having their icecreams took off them.
Lions and tigers and....penguins
Another place where we like to visit when in Llandudno is The Welsh Mountain Zoo.
This is a great little zoo and not expensive like some of the bigger ones in the UK. It houses many endangered speices and has great panoramic views so you can enjoy the scenery.
My personal favourites are the penguins who you can get right up close to whilst they waddle across the fields supervised whilst you listen to the zoo keeper tell you lots of interesting facts about them.
Other places to visit in Llandudno
Rhiwargor - Snowdonia
The first time we visited here was by complete accident and we were completely taken in by the scenery.
We had just spent time visiting Pistyll Rhaeadr which is the highest waterfall in Wales and has a quirky tea room at the foot of the falls (another place I highly recommend visiting). We were heading home after a few days camping in Bala and decided to take the scenic route home when we came across Rhiwargor.
This hidden gem is somewhere you want to experience for yourself and there are several walks you can take where you can enjoy different scenery from waterfalls to an amazing dam on Lake Vrwnry.
Rhiwargor Waterfall Walk
Known locally as Pistyll Rhyd-y-meincau, it is commonly known as Rhiwargor Waterfall.
This spectacular high waterfall cascades down the slopes of the valley of Afon Eiddew.
One of the highest of the falls surrounding Lake Vyrnwy, the waterfall is situated at the northern end of the lake and can be reached by a short walk from the Rhiwargor Waterfall car park.
This 2 mile walk which takes roughly 1 hour to complete.
Lake Vyrnwy Walks
Just on the edge of The Snowdonia National Park and south of Lake Bala, Lake Vyrnwy is set amidst the remote and beautiful Berwyn Mountains.
The 24,000 acre RSPB reserve has many view points where you can observe the many variety’s of birds and enjoy the scenery.
Lake Vyrnwy is a reservoir in Powys, Wales, built in the 1880s for Liverpool Corporation Waterworks to supply Liverpool with fresh water.
The Vyrnwy Dam was built between 1881 and 1890 and was the first large masonry dam in Britain.
The reservoir created was the largest in Europe at the time of its completion and provided water to the city of Liverpool via an aqueduct 110 km in length; it was opened in 1892. This was the first of several long-distance water supply schemes in Britain which were vital to urban development in the late Victorian period.
There are 5 walks around the Lake.
The yellow trail is a one-mile circular stroll takes you alongside the riverbank and meandering through sessile oak woodland. There is one moderately steep hill and one steep descent.
The red trail is a 5.5 mile circular walk along forest tracks and through clearings, through conifer and birch trees. A steady climb with a steep descent at the end to the road.
The orange trails is a 1.5 mile circular walk taking you above and to the side of the lake, giving you a view that opens up to give a great vista of the lake and the straining tower.
The blue trail is a 3-mile circular walk through forest tracks and lanes with two fairly strenuous climbs and one steep descent.
The purple trail is a 5-mile circular walk along forest tracks and roads with a gentle incline and great views.
Wepre Park
Wepre Park is the perfect place to take the kids on a day out.
With its easy walking trails through glorious woodland and lots interesting sculptures, wild life and birds to see. The kids can cool off paddling in the shallow stream by the small waterfall or explore the castle.
There’s even a really good playground area with picnic benches by the car park.
The 160 acre county park near Connah’s Quay Flintshire is the ideal destination for all age groups
The park is protected as part of Connahs Quay Ponds and Woodlands Site of Special Scientific Interest because it is home to rare fauna and flora including the Great crested newt and badgers, both of which are protected by law.
Ewloe Castle (Welsh: Castell Ewlo) is a native Welsh castle near the town of Ewloe in Flintshire, Wales. The castle, which was one of the last fortifications to be built by the sovereign Princes of Wales.
The Castle is accessible and open to the public to explore all year round.
The car park is FREE and so is the walk and activities within Wepre Parek.
Betws-y-Coed
Set in a beautiful valley in the Snowdonia Forest Park, it is ideal for outdoor activity holidays. Numerous Craft and outdoor activity shops are in the village with the popular Swallow Falls nearby
Whether your looking for a relaxing day appreciating the scenery whilst browsing through the many artisan shops and tea rooms or your looking for adventure and exploring Betws-y-Coed has something for everyone.
Nestled in the spectacular Conwy Valley, Zip World Fforest offers an idyllic woodland setting for all your adventurous wishes.
Enjoy a journey through the canopy of the trees on Zip Safari, bounce and explore to your hearts content on Treetop Nets or soar over the tree tops on the giant five seater swing, Skyride.
The latest adventures allow you to weave, dart and speed through the trees on Fforest Coaster and tackling the aerial obstacles and zip wires on our Tree Hoppers course will keep young adventurers busy
Take a trip on a steam engine pulled train on the miniature railway takes you on a 8-10 minute trip around the beautifully landscaped grounds.
The Railway shop located on site has a vast collection of model railway stock for beginners and enthusiasts of the hobby as well as souvenirs and gifts for all ages.
The Railway museum tour has a vast collection of railway memorabilia and interactive railway models that are controlled by the press of a button.
Craft Centres and Shops
Visit the many craft stores in the town centre where you will find all kinds of handmade and vintage items and maybe even try a few crafts out yourself whilst your there.
Snowdon
This top 5 list would not be complete if I didnt mention the most famous place in North Wales (or Wales in general).
Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales, at an elevation of 1,085 metres above sea level, and the highest point in the British Isles outside the Scottish Highlands.
The highest peak in Wales is said to be the final resting place of a giant killed by King Arthur.
At 3,560 feet tall, Snowdon is home to an outstanding view on clear days, Britain’s only rack-and-pinion railway, multiple Arthurian legends, and a gift shop that is almost two centuries old.
Snowdon attract 300,000 visitors every year making it the busiest mountain in the UK. With the option of riding the Mountain Railway or hike one of the 7 hike routes to the peak.
With stunning breath taking views and on clear days some say you can see the Isle of Mann, Snowdon is a hikers dream.
It takes anywhere between 5 to 7 hours to walk to the summit of Snowdon and back down again and the routes vary from the easiest route Llanberis Path (but is the longest route) to the most difficult Crib Goch arette (which requires the use of your hands).
Unless you are very experienced I would avoid taking this route as its the most dangerous.
If you feel like 4.5 miles of walking to the peak will be too much for you, you can catch the train at Llanberis Station and enjoy the scenery relaxing your way to the summit.
How ever you choose to get to the summit you will be amazed and feeling on top of the world!
Snowdon Mountain Railway
I hope this post gave you some inspiration for Days Out or even a holiday in North Wales.
North Wales has some incredible camp sites pretty much all over, I can recommend Bala as a good base for all the above activities.
Check out my other blogs on Road Trips and Camping Tips.
Where are your favourite places to visit in North Wales? Be sure to leave your recommendations in the comment section below.
