Things To See & Do
Some truly remarkable scenery can be found within North Wales‘ Snowdonia National Park, which encapsulates an immense terrain of over 2000 kilometres – perfect to explore either by car or by rail. If you would prefer to get behind the wheel, the slate-covered mountains of Snowdonia make for an unforgettable road trip, with the famous Llanberis Pass being a real highlight.
Railway lovers too will find real delights here, having the opportunity to steam though evocatively named locations like Pont Croesor, Beddgelert and Rhyd Ddu – perhaps also enjoying lunch and a tipple at the same time!
For history buffs, North Wales is packed to the brim with tales of colourful – and often turbulent – days gone by. As the country with the most castles per square mile in Europe, you will find fascinating fortresses dotted across the landscape. Conwy Castle is – for good -reason – regarded as one of the most magnificent of these, and you will soon understand why as you wander around its tremendous towers and expansive walls. Caernarfon too has its own appeal, born out of a bitter war and daunting in its stature.
Of course, you cannot talk about visiting North Wales without a mention of the fairy-tale village of Portmeirion. Dreamt up by architect Clough William-Ellis in the early 20th Century, the pastel-painted architecture is inspired by the cliff-side settlements found along Italy’s Amalfi Coast, and the grand piazza centre-piece is particularly striking. Temples, hidden lakes and wildflowers galore can be found in the surrounding sub-tropical forest, making Portmeirion a truly singular travel destination – not only in Wales, but in Britain as a whole.
Travelling To & Around
Road access to North Wales is simple from the M6 motorway in Cheshire, picking up the swift A55 North Wales Expressway all the way to Anglesey via Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch and onwards to Holyhead for ferry services to Ireland.
Trains depart Shrewsbury along the scenic Cambrian Line, heading north along the coast of Cardigan Bay all the way to Porthmadog for Portmeirion.
Manchester Airport provides easy access, too.
The network of roads make scenic exploring and touring through the Snowdonia range by car a delight, even at busy times of year, with quaint villages providing ample opportunity for refreshment breaks and exploratory walks. We’ll point you in the direction of coastal paths and other back routes to take you away from the beaten track.
North Wales is rightly famed for its quirky railways, from steam-hauled to the Snowdon Mountain Railway, meaning it is a great destination for car-free touring too.