Things to do in North Wales

It is the peaks of Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon itself that draw the crowds, helped by the easy ascent offered by an obliging train. Around 600,000 people walk, climb or take the train to the 1085m summit each year to take in the splendid views and clear those cobwebs once and for all. Despite the crowds, Yr Wyddfa is the highest mountain in Wales and needs to be treated seriously! Many are caught out by not preparing for the difficulty and the elements in this remote part of the world. The ascent of Snowdon may seem more like a beano than a serious walker’s solitary struggle against the elements, but that is all part of its allure and charm.

Standing proudly overlooking the historic town of Conwy on the North Wales coast, the dark stoned fortress is in remarkably good condition considering the military action it has seen over the centuries and visitors can still walk along its impressive walls today.

A modern building whose form echoes the heyday of Llandudno’s Victorian boardwalk, Venue Cymru is the best place in North Wales to see performing artists of all genres. From music to theater, from West End shows to some of today’s biggest pop stars, the venue and attached conference hall attract visitors from all over the United Kingdom and performers from all over the world.

There are six main routes to the summit and the Snowdon Sherpa Bus runs a shuttle service around the base of the mountain. This shuttle connects both the starting points of the six routes and the villages that surround Snowdon, making it easy to explore the area and find the route that suits you best.

Llandudno North Shore Beach conjures up the glamor and traditions of Victorian and Edwardian seaside Britain with its hands-on and old-fashioned activities. The stunning coastline is a hub of family fun, with donkey rides and plenty of ice cream parlors. Spend the afternoon sunning with your kids on this picturesque strand.

Designed in an Indian Gothic style, reminiscent of a “Maharaja’s palace, floating on a lake”, this impressive iron structure offers fabulous panoramic views of Llandudno Beach and the promenade on one side, and the serene waters of the Irish Sea on the other.

It dominates the skyline thanks to a dynamic building style that emphasises sheer scale above all else. Important enough to have been officially designated a World Heritage Site, the castle makes use of large polygonal towers, rather than the standard round construction, and colour-coded bands of stone to create a truly imposing edifice.

The castle was built in the late 13th Century during the reign of Edward I and boasts double walls around its perimeter, four large towers and a robust gatehouse. These fortifications later played a crucial role during numerous blockades. Most famously, in a siege immortalised in the famous Welsh anthem "Men of Harlech", the castle was held for seven years by the Lancastrians in the War of the Roses. It was also the last remaining stronghold of the Royalists during the English Civil War.