Top Things to do in North Wales
10 Things to do Good for Kids in North Wales That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in North Wales, United Kingdom including Snowdonia National Park, Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve, Caernarfon Castle, Conwy Castle, National Slate Museum, Great Orme, Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, Llangollen Canal, Llangollen Bridge, Zip World Fforest.
Restaurants in North Wales
1. Snowdonia National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 202 reviews
Reviewed By captaingreggs - Liverpool, United Kingdom
Came on holiday to snowdonia this weekend and the first days it was a visit to Betsi Co Ed, spent the day walking around the town spreading corona virus and generally causing a nuisance with our North Face Jackets on. After the big Betsi day it was time to climb the biggest mountain in the Uk, actually I think Europe, maybe even the world. Snowdon Car park was full so we just double parked on the road, there were signs up saying no parking but they must have been for Somone else. I set off climbing in my best pair of Adidas sliders and now they are ruined due to the appalling state of the path, I really think this needs to be repaired before more people ruin their best flip flops. Great to get to the top although the que to touch the summit was about an hour. Decided we wanted to ‘wild camp’ as we had seen it on Instagram so we took our 15 person tent to Llyn Gayreoned where we pitched it up in the middle of the car park. It was a totally epic experience, we collected fire wood by breaking branches off all the near by trees and had a huge campfire on the nice bit of grass next to the lake. Sadly the bins were overflowing so we just had to leave our rubbish all over the grass and car park but it was ok as the wind got up and blew it all away in to the lake Does Bear Grills poo in the woods? Yes he does and so do we, what a Liberating experience pooping where ever we fancied, we also left little piles of toilet paper where ever we dropped one off, like a cute little calling card On our last day we decided to visit conwy, so many people, carnt believe how busy it was, no chance of social distancing, ah well. Ate chips on the quay, fed most of them to the cute seagulls. Had ice creams, got attacked by the seagulls, perhaps they aren’t that cute. All in all a good holiday but really hope we can go on our package holiday to Benidorm next year, it’s warmer, beer is cheaper and they speak English not that funny Welsh
2. Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 244 reviews
Reviewed By LejasLou - San Francisco, United States
If you are visiting Snowdonia/Eryri: do not miss this hike! Parking in the summer can be challenging, so it’s best to get here before 11am (9:30am if you want a spot in the paid parking lot). Many cars end up parking on the side of the road, but even that space fills quickly and can be a bit dangerous with little kids/buggies/etc. There is a stand that sells coffee and ice cream just next to the paid parking lot but pretty much all seating is outside so if the weather isn’t great, you might want to keep that in mind. The hike to the lake is a mild/moderate incline but generally well-maintained path with stone steps - for those who don’t hike much it’s absolutely do-able and fun, just take your time. Once you reach the lake, it’s mostly flat with some gentle inclines/declines. It can take anywhere from 45-90 minutes to do the entire loop from the parking lot to around the lake - the time depends on how fast you want to go. For the more more advanced hikers, this is also a gateway to more challenging hikes into Devils Kitchen and then beyond access to a range of some of the Eryri’s 3000s mountains (ie the Glyderau range). If you want to do the range, definitely start early but can be done in a day.
3. Caernarfon Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,011 reviews
After all these years Caernarfon’s immense strength remains undimmed. A brute of a fortress. Caernarfon Castle’s pumped-up appearance is unashamedly muscle-bound and intimidating. Picking a fight with this massive structure would have been a daunting prospect. By throwing his weight around in stone, King Edward I created what is surely one of the most impressive of Wales’s castles. Worthy of World Heritage status no less. Please check the Cadw website for specific times and days, including closures.
Reviewed By WendyH291
The castle is huge, be prepared for a lot of climbing up steep narrow stairs to negotiate walking right around the castle battlements. There is an interesting short film to watch giving the history of the castle which is worth watching and quite a big museum which is devoted to the history of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers . The views from the towers over the town and the water are very good. We enjoyed walking around the town afterwards.
4. Conwy Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,503 reviews
Advance booking required Built in the late 13th century and reputed to be haunted by a past resident, this picturesque castle was built for King Edward I and is a perfect example of the "concentric castle" design. The displayed opening times are our general pattern. Please check the Cadw website for specific times and days, including closures.
Reviewed By esorlegin - Conwy, United Kingdom
An amazing 800 year old castle. The more you know about the history of North Wales and the Celts, the more you will appreciate the role this castle played in Welsh history (British/Welsh history 101 : Celts invaded by Romans, Invaded by Vikings, Saxons, Angles etc. Invaded by the French Norman’s etc etc. Each invasion pushed the Celts back into the mountains reducing their lands) Try and visit in dry weather as the stone steps up the towers can be a bit slippery. One tip - last weekend of September there is free admission!!!
5. National Slate Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,959 reviews
The National Slate Museum Llanberis will reopen to the public on 23rd August 2020. During this unprecedented time the museum will be open for four days a week. Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday between 10am - 4pm. Entry is FREE but tickets must be booked in advance. For more information please visit the website
Reviewed By IanB535 - Wellington, United Kingdom
What an unbelievable find, a free attraction with slate cutting demonstration and interesting story, check out the miners houses presented over the years and water wheel powering the foundry machines, absolutely brilliant
6. Great Orme
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,195 reviews
Reviewed By georgebriggs6 - Leeds, United Kingdom
Just had a splendid three days break in llandudno well I was there we visited the great orme tramway for the first time it was a fantastic views was magnificent and the was very friendly and helpful well worth a visit good value for the money
7. Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,011 reviews
The Ffestiniog Railway takes you on a 13 1/2-mile journey from the harbour in Porthmadog to the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. We are recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest railway company in the world, being founded in 1832. We still build steam locomotives and carriages in our own workshops and the world's oldest steam engine, Prince, is still in regular use today - more than 150 years after it was built. Our historic trains climb over 700 feet from sea level into the mountains through tranquil pastures and magnificent forests, past lakes and waterfalls, round horseshoe bends (even a complete spiral) clinging to the side of the mountain or tunnelling through it. The Welsh Highland is Snowdonia's newest railway. Trains start their spectacular 25 mile scenic journey from beneath the historic castle walls at Caernarfon. The trains - hauled by the world's most powerful narrow gauge steam locomotives - climb from sea level to over 650 feet on the foothills of Snowdon, before zig-zagging dramatically down the steep hillside to reach Beddgelert, nestling in the heart of the National Park, then through the magnificent Aberglaslyn Pass - voted the most beautiful spot in the UK by the National Trust - and on to Porthmadog.
8. Llangollen Canal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 349 reviews
Reviewed By J0b_27 - Worcester, United Kingdom
Fabulous walk , plenty of resting benches along the way and a fabulous Tea shop to stop at, and a chance to see the horse drawn barges
9. Llangollen Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 689 reviews
Reviewed By dippydeb1984 - Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
Gorgeous! Im not entirely sure what else i can say because its perfect. You stand on a bridge and see so many things, fast flowing river, canoeing, steam trains, huge hills and much much more. It is a must see!!!
10. Zip World Fforest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,230 reviews
Zip World Fforest offers an idyllic woodland setting for all your adventure needs. The heart of the site is the Fforest Coaster - based on the traditional toboggan but running on rails, it offers a year round, all-weather experience for ages 3 and up. There are two high ropes courses; Treehoppers for younger children (5-12 years) and Zip Safari 2 (9 years and up). You can bounce and explore to your heart's content on Treetop Nets; giant bouncy nets suspended in the trees, or experience the thrill of Skyride 2, Europe's highest five-seater swing. Drop 100ft alone or with a friend on the world's first tandem drop experience, Plummet 2. After all that adventure, why not relax, re-fuel and watch the action from one of our two on-site cafes. Open all year round.
Reviewed By ttikcir - Lowestoft, United Kingdom
Excellent experience for Halloween. As soon as you arrive the atmosphere is amazing. green haze over the forest and it was slightly misty, there was spooky noises, zombies walking around and it was very eerie. There were zombie nets to run across, good fun. included in the price were two goes each on the Forest Coaster , then for an additional price we did Europe’s highest giant swing, Skyride, and then Plummet which was great fun. Brilliant night and so much fun, Really well organised with great staff.
