North Wales

 

Places of Interest - Snowdonia & North Wales 

Historic Houses
Castles
Railways
Museums & Mines

Historic Houses and Gardens

Erddig Hall
Gardens and Country Park
Wrexham
LL13 0YT
01978 355314

 One of the most fascinating houses in Britain , range of outbuildings include kitchen, laundry, bakehouse, stables and sawmill, smithy and joiner's shop. The stunning staterooms display 18th and 19th century furniture and fittings. Large walled garden restored to its 18th century formal design.

Country park open daily from dawn to dusk.

Erddig Hall

Plas Newydd

 Home to the celebrated " Ladies of Llangollen" from 1780 to 1829.

A charming house with carved-oak panels, intricate stained glass windows and tranquil gardens.
Plas Newydd
Hill Street
Llangollen
Denbighshire
LL20 8AW
01978 8611314
Plas Newydd
Llanfairpwll
Anglesey
LL61 6DQ
01248 714795

Plas Newydd, the traditional home of the Marquess of Anglesey, is situated on the banks of the Menai Strait. This elegant 18th century house by James Wyatt commands magnificent views of the Strait and the mountains of Snowdonia. The house contains a Rex Whistler exhibition and a military museum.

Plas Newydd

Aberconwy House

 Dating from the 14th century this is the only medieval merchant's house in Conwy to have survived the turbulent history of the walled town for nearly six centuries. The furnished rooms reflect daily life from different periods in its history.
Aberconwy House
Castle Street
Conwy
LL32 8AY
01492 5592246
Plas Mawr
Conwy
01492 580167

 At the heart of medieval Conwy stands Plas Mawr, the "Great Hall", built between 1576 and 1585 for the Welsh merchant Robert Wynn.This richly decorated building is an architectural gem, the finest surviving town house of the Elizabethan era in Britain. It is especially noted for the quality and quantity of its ornamental plasterwork, now fully restored to its original splendour.

Plas Mawr

Bodnant Garden

Covering over 80 acres, Bodnant is one of the finest gardens in Britain with magnificent rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias in the spring followed by herbaceous borders, roses and water lillies in the summer and glorious colour in the autumn.

Situated above the river Conwy, there are spectacular views over the Snowdonia range.
Bodnant Garden
near Colwyn Bay
Conwy
01492 650460
Portmeirion
Penrhyndeudraeth
Gwynedd
01766 770000

This unique Italianate seaside village was built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis from 1925-72, and made famous by TV series "The Prisoner". It is surrounded by the lovely Gwyllt woodland gardens containing rare Himalayan flowering trees and other exotics.

Portmeirion

Clwyd Theatr Cymru

Clwyd Theatr Cymru is the leading producing theatre in Wales with an international reputation for its artistic achievements.

Located in Mold, it offers entertainment for all.
Clwyd Theatr Cymru
Mold
Flintshire
CH7 1YA
01352 755114

Castles

Attractions Better Tours, Milbank, Presteigne, Powys. Tel: 01544260493. Castles of Wales Tour. BETTER TRAVEL is pleased to offer you, the discerning traveller, the opportunity to visit in four days a few of the classical Castles of South, Mid, West and North Wales. With names as famous as Carreg Cennen and Caerphilly, Chepstow, Caernafon, Beaumaris, Conwy or Lamphey Bishops Palace and Carew, these treasured ruins of the dark and middle ages are familiar to both residents and visitors alike. www.better-travel.co.uk. Location: Tour of the Castles of Wales.

Castles of Wales Tour

Conwy Castle & Town Walls
Conwy
 01492 592358
Constructed by the English monarch Edward 1 between 1283 and 1289, soaring curtain walls and 8 huge round towers give the castle an intimidating presence. There are breath-taking views from the battlements over the mountains and sea and down to the roofless shell of the castle's massive Great Hall.
 
The circuit of town walls, over three-quarters of a mile long and guarded by 22 towers, is one of the finest in the world.

Conwy Castle & Town Walls

Caernarfon Castle

Caernarfon is possibly the most striking medieval monument in Wales, with its scale and commanding presence. Its unique polygonal towers, intimidating battlements and colour-banded walls were designed to echo Constantinople, the imperial power of Rome. Begun in 1283, its symbolic status was emphasized when Edward's son , the first English Prince of Wales, was born here in 1284.

In 1969, the castle was the setting for the Investiture of HRH Prince Charles as Prince of Wales.
Caernarfon Castle
Caernarfon
01286 677617
Harlech Castle
01766 780552

Harlech Castle is built on a rocky outcrop, gazing out over the land and sea, keeping a watchful eye over Snowdonia. The English monarch Edward1 built it in the late 13th century to fulfil this very role.

A long siege here during the Wars of the Roses inspired the stirring song "Men of Harlech".

Harlech Castle

Criccieth Castle

Built on its commanding headland overlooking Tremadog Bay, Criccieth Castle's history is deeply entwined in the medieval conflict between England and Wales. Originally a stronghold of the native Welsh princes, it was taken by Edward's forces in 1283 and extensively refortified.
Criccieth Castle 
01766 522227
Beaumaris Castle
Anglesey
01248 810361

 Beaumaris is the great unfinished masterpiece. Started in 1295, it was the last of the massive Edwardian fortresses of the 13th century to be built in North Wales, but money ran out before the fortifications reached reached their full height. It is still regarded as the finest Welsh castle. It is the most technically perfect castle in Britain, with a symmetrical concentric "walls within walls" design that was state of the art for the 13th century.

Beaumaris Castle

Chirk Castle

700 year Chirk Castle, a magnificent marcher fortress, commands fine views over the surrounding countryside. Rectangular with a massive drum tower at each corner, the castle has beautiful formal gardens with clipped yews, roses and a variety of flowering shrubs.

The dramatic dungeon is a reminder of the castle's turbulent history, whilst later occupants have left elegant state rooms, furniture, tapestries and portraits.
Chirk Castle
Chirk
near Wrexham
LL14 5AF
01691 777701
Penrhyn Castle
Bangor
Gwynedd
LL57 4HN
01248 484950

Built on the profits of Welsh slate and Jamaican sugar, Penrhyn Castle is an extravagent example of early19th century neo-Norman architecture.

It is filled with intricate carvings, stained glass windows and handmade wallpapers, and features a slate bed made for Queen Victoria and a spectacular Grand Staircase which took 10 years to build.

Penrhyn Castle

Powis Castle

Powis Castle was originally built as a fortress by Welsh princes but was later adapted and enriched by generations of Herberts and Clives.The beautiful collection of treasures from India displayed in the Clive Museum includes textiles, armour, bronzes, jade, ivory and a magnificent tent.There are sumptuous period rooms and an elegant Long Gallery. The world famous Gardens are spectacular with 4 huge stepped terraces, an orangery and topiary that looks as if it is shaved daily!
Powis Castle
near Welshpool
SY21 8RF
01938 557018

Railways

Machynlleth
Centre for Alternative Technology
Machynlleth
Powys
SY20 9AZ
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 1654 705 957

The Mid Wales eco-centre has been open to the public since 1975. The new multimedia display takes visitors on a journey through the last 30 years of the environmental movement from the 1970s up until the 21st century, featuring classic archive images, video clips. It is home to to a water powered cliff railway.

Centre for Alternative Technology Machynlleth

Ffestiniog Railway
Harbour Station
Porthmadog
01766 512340

Little steam-hauled narrow- gauge trains run a 13 1/2 mile main line in miniature from the coastline at Porthmadog into the mountains at Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Ffestiniog Railway
 The Welsh Highland Railway

 One of North Wales' newest tourist attractions creating a 25 mile link between Caernarfon, Dinas, Waunfawr, Beddgelert and Porthmadog.

 

The Welsh Highland Railway
Caernarfon

01766 512340
Bala Lake Railway
Llanuwchllyn
Gwynedd
01678 540666

 The 2ft gauge line offers a delightful 9 mile return journey along Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake), through the beautiful scenery of the Snowdonia National Park.

 Bala Lake Railway

Talyllyn Railway

  A narrow gauge line using steam locomotives, running inland from Tywyn on the Mid Wales Coast to Nant Gwernol.
Talyllyn Railway
Tywyn
Gwynedd
01654 710472
Snowdon Mountain Railway
Llanberis
Gwynedd
01286 870223

  Laid on the north-western slopes of Snowdon, it climbs 3140ft. in its 4 5/8 mile journey from Llanberis to Summit Station.

Snowdon Mountain Railway

Llangollen Railway

  Runs through 8 miles of some of the finest scenery in Britain.
 
Llangollen Railway
Denbighshire
01978 860951

Museums & Mines

Conwy Valley Railway Museum

  See the 1/4 full size 'Britannia', signalling, train layouts, working models. Also train rides, model shop, Buffet Coach Cafe.
Conwy Valley Railway Museum
Betws-y-coed
Conwy
01690 710568
Llechwedd Slate Caverns
Blaenau Ffestiniog
Gwynedd
01766 830306

There are 2 underground rides - The Deep Mine tour begins on Britain's steepest passenger railway (1:1.8) for a 25-minute walk through 10 "son et lumiere" sequences in an underground wonderland. The Miner's Tramway is a guided tour through an 1846 network of awe-inspiring man-made caverns of cathedral proportions, supplemented with tableaux and demonstrations of ancient mining skills.

Llechwedd Slate Caverns

Great Orme Mines

Explore the mysterious underground passages leading to an impressive Bronze Age cavern. Visitor centre with archaeological finds and artefacts.
Great Orme Mines
Great Orme
Llandudno
01492 870447
King Arthur's Labyrinth
Corris
Machynlleth
Powys
01654 761584

An underground boat takes visitors into spectacular caverns where Welsh tales of King Arthur are told with tableaux and stunning sound and light effects. The journey ends with a return trip along the beautiful subterranean river.

King Arthur's Labyrinth

Loggerheads Country Park

Loggerheads, three miles from Mold on the A494, is an area of outstanding natural beauty and has been popular with visitors for over 70 years. Since its acquisition and promotion by Clwyd County Council as a Country Park and Visitor Centre the area has become a major tourist attraction.

Loggerheads Country Park
Town Nr Mold
CH7
01352 810469

Oriel Ynys Môn

 As a purpose built museum, arts and events gallery, Oriel Ynys Môn has so much to offer. Visitors who wish to learn about the cultural history of Anglesey can enjoy the centre's atmospheric Heritage Gallery which presents a vivid account of the island's past through sound, imagery, reconstructions and real artefacts.

 Oriel Ynys Môn
Rhosmeirch
Llangefni
LL77 7TQ
Anglesey
01248 724 444

LLANDUDNO

LLANDUDNO JUNCTION LEISURE CENTRE
Llandudno
Tel: 01492 574000

The Centre boasts 2 glass backed squash courts, a 4 badminton court main hall, meeting room, able and disabled fitness suite and climbing wall. The centre is also an Adventure Activity Licensing Authority licensed provider of outdoor adventure activities for young people

LLANDUDNO JUNCTION LEISURE CENTRE
Llandudno Swimming Pool

Llandudno Swimming Pool is situated at the heart of the very popular holiday resort of Llandudno. The swimming pool is open 7 days a week and offers a full range of swimming based activities for all ages and abilities

Tel/Fax: 01492 878838

Abergele

Abergele Leisure Centre
Tel: 01492 574000

Swimming lesson programme. Pool inflatable obstacle course "the Aqua Scramble!". Sports hall. Sunbeds. Sauna. Fitness suite. All-weather pitch. Two cricket lanes with floodlighting.

Abergele Leisure Centre

Colwyn

Colwyn Leisure Centre
Tel: 01492 574000

Colwyn Leisure Centre has all the facilities you need for your sporting or leisure activity. The largest swimming pool in the county with six lane 25m swimming area, a leisure pool with various water features and a separate water slide. Multi-Use Sports Hall. Squash Courts.

Colwyn Leisure Centre

Llanrwst

Llanrwst Swimming Pool

The pool offers a range of special sessions including Ladies Night, Adults Only, Early Morning Swim, Parent & Babies, and Splashabout fun sessions

Tel/Fax: 01492 640921

GLYNDWR'S WAY NATIONAL TRAIL

GLYNDWR'S WAY NATIONAL TRAIL

The National Trail offers some of Mid-Wales' finest scenery, ranging from rolling hills, woodland and country lanes to open hill and mountain. The 132 mile / 212 km Trail offers something for everyone, from those seeking long distance walking to day or weekend visitors. The National Trail is easily followed by both the National Trail 'acorn' logo and also the Trails' own logo, the Golden Dragon motif of Owain Glyndwr's own Royal Standard

GLYNDWR'S WAY NATIONAL TRAIL

Other UK Attractions (By County/Regions)

We welcome your contributions to this page - please email us with any suggestions and additions - Thank You

Places of Interest Places of Interest in North Wales Kids Places to take the kids in North Wales Places to Eat and Drink Places to Eat and Drink in North Wales
Homepage Homepage Accommodation Accommodation in North Wales Advertise Advertise

Places of Interest - Snowdonia & North Wales