If you’re looking for the best things to do in North Wales you have come to the right spot. Below you can find a selection of activities and places to explore in this beautiful part of the country. North Wales really took me by surprise, you’re in for a treat.
Included in this blog post are 12 suggestions (roughly a 3-4 minute read).
I have to start this blog post about the best things to do in North Wales with hiking mount Snowdon.
Hiking Snowdon
Snowdon is the biggest attraction in North Wales, attracting many hikers and adventure lovers from all over the world. It is roughly a 8-9 mile trek round trip, taking anywhere between 5-7 hours. There are a number of different routes to choose from, ranging in difficulty based on the terrain and inclination.
We chose to hike Snowdon ranger path which is one of the easier and quieter paths. On our journey we hardly saw anyone hiking up this side which was pure bliss. 95% of the time we also had views of the summit. I definitely recommend considering this path if you don’t want to use your hands at any point to scale up Snowdon 🙂
Here you can read more about hiking snowdon ranger path in one of my other blog posts.
If you are hoping to do something a little more challenging, this website is brilliant for information on each trail: https://www.visitsnowdonia.info/snowdon-walking-routes
TIP! If you are unable to hike Snowdon yet you still wish to go up to the top to see the incredible views, there is a train. It costs £32 return and takes 60 minutes. The first train leaves around 8:30AM. You can find out more information here: https://snowdon.vticket.co.uk/
Snowdonia National Park
Whilst many people are familiar with the park for mount Snowdon, there is a great deal more to see and do in this area. There are many cute seaside towns, historical castles and traditional villages with tearooms and sweet shops. There are lots of train stations where you can see the old fashioned steam trains, and even hop on one for a ride. If you are interested in visiting the mines, there are copper and slate mine tours too.
There is something in Snowdonia National Park for everyone.
Aber falls
Visiting Aber Falls Wales should 100% be on your list of best things to do in North Wales. I could not believe how beautiful this location was. The waterfall greatly resembles those you find throughout the majestical island of Bali. The lush greens, the powerful spray, the plunge pool at the base of the fall. It’s genuinely stunning.
We had the most glorious day when visiting this waterfall, with bright blue skies and 29 degree heat. It may have contributed to the overall vibe of the day, but many people have since told me that it’s just as beautiful in winter. The water freezes over and many experienced climbers actually climb up to the top of it!
If you would like to know more information about visiting Aber falls, here is a blog post I have written.
Best things to do in North Wales
Gwrych Castle North Wales
Gwrych Castle is one of my favourite stops in North Wales. We spotted it from the main road on our way in to the area and did a little research to find out what it was.
The castle is an imposing gothic ruin built in the 1800’s. It costs £11 to enter, and from October-December 2023 it is open Wednesday – Sunday 10am until 5pm. From January 2024, it will only be open on weekends.
If you plan to visit, make sure you bare that in mind! Below you can find a blog post with more details about visiting Gwrych Castle.
Llanwddyn & Lake Vyrnwy Reservoir, Powys
In the 1880’s when the reservoir was built to supply Liverpool with fresh water, there was a flood and the town of Llanwddyn was completely submerged. Llanwddyn was rebuilt on the shores of the lake, however, it’s fascinating to know that there are still remains of the original village submerged under water!
The Lake Vyrnwy Nature Reserve is a popular spot among cyclists, walkers and nature lovers.
There are large wooden picnic benches in the shape of leaves and trees on the west side of the lake at Llechwedd Ddu. Near the old village on the beach is a sculpture of dolphins and when the lake rises during a flood, the dolphins appear to be jumping out of the water.
Activities at Llanwddyn & Lake Vyrnwy Reservoir include hiking on Glyndŵr’s Way, sailing, cycling, rock climbing, horse riding and walking. There is also a marathon held here annually.
This photo was taken on 25/07/09 at 16:23 by Sean Hattersley.
Beddgelert, Gwynedd
Beddgelert is a charming and picturesque village known for its stunning natural beauty, cozy vibes and rich history, making it a popular destination for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts.
The village of Beddgelert is known as one of the most beautiful villages in Snowdonia. The stone-built buildings make it one of the most picturesque places in the area, especially considering it is surrounded by tall mountains and lush forests. Thanks to its great location inside Snowdonia National Park, with many hiking routes being accessible from here, many people choose Beddgelert when finding somewhere to stay.
If you would like to know more about Visiting Beddgelert, see here:
Tu Hwnt I’r Bont Tearooms
The most beautiful tearoom covered in ivy! 😍😍
Tu Hwnt I’r Bont Tearooms is a historic tearoom located in Llanrwst, Wales. Known for its charming 15th-century building with a distinctive exterior covered in ivy, it sits beside the Conwy River. The tearoom is celebrated for its traditional Welsh cream teas and picturesque setting, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.
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Best things to do in North Wales
Coed y Brenin Forest Park, Gwynedd
While in the area of Gwynedd, make sure to check out this stunning forest park. If you enjoy mountain biking you’re in for a treat, as Coed y Brenin is famous in the UK for its mountain bike trails.
There are eight trails all starting from the visitor centre, each ranging in different levels of difficulty.
If you prefer to stay on your feet, there are many walking, and running trails available within the forest. You can even join orienteering courses and geocaching trails.
Bangor Castle
Bangor Castle is a country house situated in Castle Park in Bangor. It is an Elizabethan-style castle that was completed in 1852. There were stables, a summer house, walled garden and an impressive arboretum. The surrounding grounds were also used to hold Victorian sporting events, including tennis and croquet.
It’s a great place to go for a walk at any time of year, with lots of flowers and a path running through the trees. It is especially beautiful in the summer. There are plenty of places to relax and have a picnic and if you have children, they can run around freely here. The views down to the marina are amazing, there is a museum on local history and a coffee shop should you need a refreshment.
Llyn Mair (picnic area)
Llyn Mair picnic area is a beautiful place to visit, especially around lunch time. It has breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains and a number of picnic tables to make eating your packed lunch way more convenient.
The natural beauty of Snowdonia National Park provides a stunning backdrop for your picnic.
There is free parking across the road from the lake. Type in Llyn Mair Picnic area into maps to find this spot.
You can swim in the lake and if you have your own kayak or paddleboard, you can go out on the water with them.
In the area are also a selection of hiking trails available. If you wish to go on a longer hike, set off around the lake.
For a short walk, and a visit to the train station, you can take the path that starts across the road in the car park. You will arrive at the station where you can watch the steam trains, go for a ride on one, or sit and relax in the cafe.
Here is a video I made on TikTok showing you around Llyn Mair Picnic area should you wish to see it: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGJcEfEgk/
Velocity Zip Line
Velocity is the fastest zip line in the world since 2013 reaching speeds of up to and over 100mph (160kmh). Soar over Penrhyn Quarry, facing downwards, while taking in the incredible views of Snowdonia.
It is a 1.5 kilometre zip line, with 4 parallel lines over 2 separate zip lines, meaning you can enjoy the experience alongside your family and friends.
If you have children that want to go on the zipline, please note that you need at least one adult (+18) per 3 children.
Each ticket costs roughly £92, but there are some family tickets available. See this website for more information: https://www.zipworld.co.uk/adventure/velocity
Here is an image taken from Velocity Zipline’s website so you can see how you fly!!
Best things to do in North Wales
ZipWorld
ZipWorld has an array of activities on offer to keep the entire group or family happy.
Underground Golf in North Wales
It is the world’s first underground adventure golf inside a cave. This 18-hole course, set 500ft below the ground is only accessible by Europe’s steepest cable railway. “Enjoy the impressive display of lighting and interactive elements as you putt your way through the course’s exciting and unique levels, with 4 floors to tackle.” – Zipworld
Due to its location, it is recommend to wear warm clothing and closed footwear as temperatures reach around 7 degrees celcius. It takes around 1.5 hours to complete a full game and prices start from £22.
There is free parking and locker hire is available from £1. To find out more, please visit their website here: https://www.zipworld.co.uk/adventure/underground-golf
Bounce below at ZipWorld
Bounce below is an enormous underground net adventure with 6 trampoline-style nets built into an area twice the size of St. Paul’s Cathedral! Jump, bounce and slide your way through this disused mine on the best playground ever.
Prices are from £25 and the bounce time is 1 hour.
https://www.zipworld.co.uk/adventure/bounce-below
Other activities at ZipWorld include a mine tour, exploring cavers, and a zipline called Titan 2. Use any of the links above to find out more information about all the activities on offer.
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