Inspiration
Family Friendly Half Term Activities in North Wales
Looking for an atmospheric autumn walk, a spooky Halloween experience, or a spot of pumpkin picking? Check out these family friendly half term activities…
Our Top 5 cottages for visiting castles in North Wales
Love to lose yourself in a bit of Welsh heritage? Take a look at our top 5 holiday cottages for exploring castles in North Wales.
Things to do in Llanberis
Sitting at the foot of Yr Wyddfa – Snowdon – and with two scenic lakes and an ancient woodland to explore, this beautiful mountain village is the perfect base for an adventure in North Wales. Here’s a selection of our favourite things to do in Llanberis.
Things to do in Porthmadog
A popular harbour town on Snowdonia’s west coast, Porthmadog is a great location for all ages and holiday preferences – there are just so many great things to do both in the town and on the doorstep. Here’s a selection of our favourite things to do in Porthmadog.
Things to do in Harlech
Harlech is a charming historic Welsh coastal town on the edge of the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park in North Wales. It is a place of guts, quirk, and rather epic, timeless beauty. Sitting proud on a hillside looking out to sea, Harlech is flanked by the majestic mountains of Eryri to the east, with Cardigan Bay and the Irish Sea to the west. Here’s a selection of our favourite things to do in Harlech.
Things to do in Bala
Surrounded by mountains, rich in culture, and within easy reach of many of the region’s most popular attractions, beautiful Bala is famously home to Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake), the largest natural lake in Wales. Sandwiched between Snowdonia and the Berwyn mountains, the town is watched over by its own mini-massif: the Arenig mountains. Here’s a selection of our favourite things to do in Bala.
Secret Castle Series | Criccieth
A spectacular coastal fortress which stands proud on its own rocky headland. Criccieth Castle is a landmark historic site.
Secret Castle series. Dinas Brân.
A dramatic ruin which keeps watch over the town of Llangollen. Your steep climb up will be rewarded with panoramic views of the beautiful Dee Valley.
Secret Castle series. Dolbadarn
The sturdy round tower of Dolbadarn Castle stands a lonely guard above spectacular Llyn Padarn near Llanberis.
Secret Castle series. Castell y Bere.
It was built by Prince Llywelyn at the start of the 13th century. Eight hundred years on, its remains sit strong and proud under the gaze of Cadair Idris.
Secret Castle series. Dolwyddelan.
A stone fortress built by Prince Llywelyn the Great. Dolwyddelan Castle is as Welsh as the rugged Snowdonia mountains that surround it.
Things to do when it rains in Eryri (Snowdonia)
Never let the rain put you off having an adventure in Eryri (Snowdonia). There is lots to do and so much to see even when the wet weather comes to visit. Here are our favourites things to do when it rains in Eryri…
Reasons to Staycation in Snowdonia
Over a third of Britons are expected to take a staycation this year. Here is why we think you need to make your destination Snowdonia, North Wales.
CADW /,kadu:/ verb: to preserve;
CADW is the Welsh government body responsible for the protection of Welsh heritage sites. So much to see, do and learn, it is a must on a visit to Wales.
10 THINGS TO DO THIS HALF TERM IN NORTH WALES
If you are coming to Snowdonia for February half term, we have lots of great things on offer for all age groups. To give you a bit of inspiration, here are 10 things to do this half term: GO BELOW Go below is the ultimate underground experience. It’s a journey through the Snowdonia mountains where you zip line through caverns, climb vertical shafts, boat across an underground lake, traverse over an abyss, scale a waterfall and abseil down to the deepest point in the UK. ZIP WORLD Fforest Coaster (an alpine coaster that runs through the forest at exhilarating speeds) opened last year to a great response at the Zip World Betws-Y-Coed location. A total of 5 activities are located here including Zip Safari (a series of 23 zip lines through the trees), Plummet (jump from a 100ft tower), Skyride (Europe’s highest 5 seater swing), Treetop Nets (nets suspended in trees 60ft above the…
TOP 5 | THINGS TO DO ON A RAINY DAY IN SNOWDONIA
Never let the rain stop you in Snowdonia. It’s part of the furniture and there are lots of things to do even when it pours down. So if the rain decides to visit when you are staying, here are the top 5 | things to do on a rainy day in Snowdonia. 1 – WATER SPORTS It’s wet anyway so take advantage of all the watersports we have on offer. From canyoning, gorge walking, white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking and Sup’ing, it’s all available on the many stunning lakes in the area. Snowdonia Adventure Activities, Adrenalin Addicts and Bala Watersports are some of the providers. Surf Snowdonia should also be on your to-do list in the rain. 2 – STEAM TRAINS The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highlands is a steam train that runs from Caernarfon to Blaenau Ffestiniog over the Snowdonia mountains and around the lakes. Expect stunning scenery in what is a spectacular trip. There…
Top 5 | Things To Do With Children Of All Ages In Snowdonia
One of the challenges of planning a trip with children that range in age is finding things that keep everyone happy and interested. With this in mind, here are my Top 5 | Things To Do With Children Of All Ages In Snowdonia: WALKING Climbing Snowdon or Cadr Idris are my personal favorites, the sense of achievement is second to none and the views are incredible. If you have much smaller ones in tow, the walks around Swallow Falls and upto Fairy Glen in Betws-Y-Coed are fantastic. ADVENTURE The Fforest Coaster is the most recent attraction under the Zip World umbrella that has recently opened to great response. Zip World has lots on offer, covering all ages; they really do provide something unique. ELECTRIC MOUNTAIN From an educational point of view, Electric Mountain is one of a kind. It is a hydroelectric power plant built inside a mountain; the tours of its history and how it…
Top 10 | Things To Do This Half Term In Snowdonia
With the choice of things to do in the area, sometimes is hard to know what to do. To help you make the most of your half term, here are our Top 10 | Things To Do This Half Term In Snowdonia: 1. VISIT A SPOOKY CASTLE As Halloween falls over this half term, you can rest assured that the Castles will be putting on lots of spooky entertainment. For a guide as to what’s happening at those closest; Harlech, Criccieth, Caernarfon, and Conwy, check out the CADW website for more details. 2. COED Y BRENIN If you want to get te kids out in the fresh air, COED Y BRENIN is perfect. Mountain biking trails catering for all ages and abilities makes this, in my opinion, one of the best activities the area has to offer. If you don’t have your bikes with you, you can hire on site. There is a…
Halloween Snowdonia Style .......
If you’re lucky enough to be staying in one of our cottages this half term with children in tow, you’ll be pleased to know that Halloween Snowdonia Style does not involve standing around getting cold and wet watching your kids collect sweets! This is a place steeped in legend and myth so there is lots on offer – we have whittled it down to our top 5 which make for unique and exciting experiences you just won’t get anywhere else…… The Ffestiniog Railway offers twilight railway trips where you board the train in fancy dress at 6pm and are taken into the mountains where you stop off in the dark woods for some fireworks and a little something to eat in the creepy cafe. Prices start from £11.60 for children and £17.50 for adults. Penryhn Castle just outside Bangor offers a range of activities from day time Halloween trails to the very popular Twilight Tours where…