Take a trip to Conwy Castle and Mostyn Art Gallery in Llandudno. There are plenty of lovely places to eat from The Midland Tapas Bar, The Erskine Arms, Johnny Doughs in Conwy and Llanduno and the cafe in Mostyn Art Gallery is lovely. If you’d prefer a garden to an art gallery then Bodnant Gardens is across the estuary or you could take a birds eye view of the Conwy Valley from the RSPB nature reserve.
Beaumaris provides another stunning Castle to look around, with wonderful views if you have a head for heights and can walk the walls.There are a plethora of independent shops and galleries to look into and while away an afternoon, and spend a few pennies, and if you have children in tow it’s really fun to go crabbing on the pier. Again if you want to amble round a garden, then Plas Cadnant is an unexpected treasure, and a labour of love.
Caernarfon Castle is a majestic castle, and the old town is lovely to walk around. You could take the Welsh Highland Railway to Caernarfon and back again to Beddgelert.
If you fancy a spot of wine tasting then Pant Du Vineyard and Cafe is worth a stop. Fron Goch Garden Centre has a fantastic cafe and you may take a plant home with you. Alternatively the Welsh Slate museum is a wonderfully interactive and interesting insight into the slate mining process and industry. If you want a big plate of good cafe grub Pete’s Eats is worth a stop.
Whilst this is not a castle, it has a great draw. Portmeirion is an italianate village made famous for being the film set for the The Prisoner. It has wonderful gardens, spectacular views and instagram worthy coloured houses.
Plas Brodanw Gardens are less famous than Portmeirion, but some say that the gardens are Clough Williams most impressive creation. The two share italian influences, but the gardens are formal and full of hidden sculptures and arranged into rooms. Absolutely worth a visit. If you do visit you must make it to the folly at the top.
The lonely tree (also known as ‘the lone tree’) is a semi-famous photography and natural beauty spot in Llanberis, North Wales. It’s a photographer’s dream, a tree standing alone on the shore, or sometimes on its own personal little island, depending on the water’s level.
The tree itself stands on the edge of Llyn Padarn, Llanberis’ central lake. You can find it by walking into the ‘lagoons’ area of town, which is opposite the DMM factory. You’ll see a little area designated by Snowdonia Watersports.
As such, there’s no hard trekking involved, it’s just a case of parking up, a 5 minute stroll and you are there. You will walk onto the little wooded peninsula which juts out into the lake – and there it is in all its glory!
Whilst in Llanberis, there are lots of things to do from hiring a kayak, paddleboard from Snowdonia Watersports, to taking a trip around the highly interactive and interesting Welsh Slate museum.
Zip World is the go to place for family adventures with 4 sites and with everything from zip lines to tree top ropes, underground trampolines in caves to toboggan runs and treetop nets. The treetop nets are in Llanrwst near Betws Y Coed, so you can head there and enjoy a walk around the picturesque village of Betws Y Coed where there are plenty of places to eat, and drink, and you can enjoy a beautiful and flat river walk.
The cave trampolines are based out of Blaenau Ffestiniog, as are the Slate MIne tours which are worth a visit. If neither of those float your boat perhaps a bit of underground crazy golf will!
If watersports are more your thing then Snowdonia Adventure Parc offers surfing and paddleboarding in the unique wave garden, indoor adrenaline adventure activities and more in the stunning Conwy Valley at Dolgellau. Again close to Conwy, Bodnant gardens or Betws if you want to combine it with something for everyone.
However there is less expensive fun to be had either by hiring a kayak from the Llyn Gwynant campsite ( you’ll need to book in advance to get a day ticket) or head to some of the beautiful beaches in Anglesey. Rhosneigr is a watersports mecca where you can hire surfboards, have surf lessons and paddleboard. Or you can just head to Lligwy Moelfre, Traeth Bychan or Benllech and enjoy the sandy beaches on the Eastern coast of Anglesey.