10 Things to do in Gwynedd That You Shouldn't Miss

Rain or shine, come and climb! Beacon Climbing Centre is an exciting all weather venue, with fun activities suitable for the whole family. It's great fun for kids and the perfect antidote to boring gym regimes for adults! Conquer our high roped walls for an unbeatable sense of achievement, experience the freedom of climbing without using a rope in our low level bouldering areas or try something that's entirely off-the-wall: CrazyClimb featuring a series of wacky climbing challenges! No previous experience is required and anyone can have a go. Spectators can watch for free, there is an awesome café on site, and free WiFi is available throughout the centre.

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.

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.

This 19th-century neo-Norman castle sits between Snowdonia and the Menai Strait. It's crammed with fascinating items, such as a one-ton slate bed made for Queen Victoria, elaborate carvings, plasterwork and mock-Norman furniture. In addition, it has an outstanding collection of paintings.The restored kitchens are a delight and the stable block houses a fascinating industrial railway museum.The 24.3 hectares (60 acres) of grounds include parkland, an exotic tree and shrub collection as well as a Victorian walled garden.

Barmouth Bridge, 150 years old in 2017. Currently free for pedestrians and cyclists to cross between Barmouth and Fairbourne. Once on the Fairbourne side, there is a path into Fairbourne itself, or you can travel up the famous Mawddach Trail along the disused railway line towards Dolgellau via the George the III pub.

For that vintage seaside atmosphere of candy floss and donkey rides, set up your deckchair in the section closest to the town. The Blue Flag beach is never overcrowded and also has trampolines, bouncy castle and pirate ship during the Summer. If you want a quieter space for your picnic and to be closer to the sea, then venture further along the one-mile long promenade perhaps using the land train which runs the length of the promenade.

Private village resort and gardens, set on its own peninsula next to the Dwyryd Estuary on the coast of Snowdonia in Wales, open all year round from 9.30am to 7pm for day visits with reduced entry after 3.30pm. The village has two hotels, 34 Village Suites, 12 self-catering cottages, 6 restaurants and cafes, 6 shops, a spa, an information centre, an audio visual presentation and a resident artist's gallery. Free guided tours are available from the information centre near the entrance, during our peak season. We are Closed to the public for Christmas Day.