Top Things to do in North Wales
The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in North Wales, Wales
Discover the best top things to do in North Wales, United Kingdom including Snowdon, Bardsey Island, Snowdonia National Park, Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve, Caernarfon Castle, Conwy Castle, National Slate Museum, Plas Newydd Historic House and Gardens, Great Orme, Llangollen Canal.
Restaurants in North Wales
1. Snowdon
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,629 reviews
The highest mountain in Wales (higher than any in England) at 3,560 feet.
Reviewed By PD280875 - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Came here this year instead of the lakes for our annual walking holiday , an amazing area of outstanding beauty , we went up via Crib Goch which was an exhilarating experience (dont look down) , some fantastic views all the way up and some challenging areas to scramble over , plenty of different paths too the top and even a steam train ! would deffo like to do this again
2. Bardsey Island
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 71 reviews
Bardsey Island lies about 2 miles (3 kilometers) across Bardsey Sound of the Lleyn Peninsula, North Wales. Visit for the day of for the week in our self catering accommodation. The island is 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) long and, at its widest point, it is just over half a mile (1 kilometer) across. The island mountain rises to a height of 167 meters and the whole island has a surface area of 180 hectares, most of which is farmland. The island was purchased by the Bardsey Island Trust in 1979 and is managed by the Trust with advice from Natural Resources Wales and CADW. The island is designated a National Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is in the Lleyn Peninsula Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Saif Ynys Enlli tua 2 filltir (3 cilomedr) ar draws Swnt Enlli o Benrhyn Llŷn, Gogledd Cymru. Dewch am y dydd, neu aroswch am wythnos yn un o'n tai hunan ddarpar. Mae'r ynys yn 1.5 milltir (2.5 cilomedr) o hyd ac, ar ei man lletaf, mae'n chydig dros hanner milltir (1 cilomedr) ar draws. Mae Mynydd Enlli yn codi i uchder o 167 metr ac mae arwynebedd o 180 hectar i'r ynys i gyd, y rhan fwyaf ohono yn cael ei amaethu. Prynwyd yr ynys gan Ymddiriedolaeth Ynys Enlli ym 1979 ac fe'i rheolir gan yr Ymddiriedolaethgyda chyngor Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru a CADW. Dynodwyd yr ynys yn Warchodfa Natur Genedlaethol, yn Safle o Ddiddordeb Gwyddonol Arbennig ac mae o fewn Ardal o Harddwch Naturiol Eithriadol Pen Llŷn. Byddem yn hoffi diolch i Gyfoeth Naturiol Cymru am gyfrannu at y swydd cynorthwyydd haf ar yr ynys sy'n galluogi ni i ddarparu gwybodaeth i ymwelwyr ac i ddod â newyddion rheolaidd o'r ynys i chi drwy ein tudalennau gwe, Facebook a Twitter
Reviewed By Chilly47
For my wife's birthday surprise I took her on a trip to Bardsey Island. You have to ring Colin the evening before to check that the weather will be alright to make the crossing. Colin who runs the boat was born and bred on the island and he has family who farm there whilst he fishes from there. He is very knowledgeable about the island and its wildlife. He is bilingual and manages to continue conversations seamlessly in English and Welsh. The boat trip includes time to get up close to birds that nest on the steep cliff face. You can get a hot drink on the island up to about 2pm anything else you need to take with you. There is not a great deal of shelter but it is a lovely place to have a stroll around in peace and quiet, very restful. The National Trust car park 15 minutes stroll from the mainland landing site is free. Pick a sunny day and enjoy.
3. 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
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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!!!
7. 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
8. Plas Newydd Historic House and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 370 reviews
Covid-19 Update ~ Plas Newydd Tearooms will be open 10AM - 4PM daily. The Gardens and Grounds are open daily and free to explore! Plas Newydd Historic House will unfortunately be closed until further notice. Home of the ‘Ladies of Llangollen’ Miss Sarah Ponsonby and Lady Eleanor Butler captured the imagination of Regency society when they ran away and set up home together in Wales. Visit their extraordinary gothicised home and hear of the stream of famous visitors they received. Learn how they won the hearts of local people and turned a simple cottage into a fantasy of oak carvings and stained glass. Stroll through the gardens they developed and try homemade cakes in the tea rooms.
Reviewed By Goldbunny23 - Liverpool, United Kingdom
This house has an amazing history. There are excellent examples of wood carving and clear and concise explanation about the lives of its two famous occupants.The gardens are lovely to wak round and to top it all a really great tea shop.
9. 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
10. 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
