Top Things to do in North Wales
Things to do in North Wales, Wales: The Best Nature & Parks
Discover the best top things to do in North Wales, United Kingdom including Snowdon, Bardsey Island, Snowdonia National Park, Cader Idris, Harlech Beach, Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve, Watkin Path, Plas Newydd Historic House and Gardens, Great Orme, Porth Neigwl (Hell's Mouth).
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. Cader Idris
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 503 reviews
Reviewed By lucyharries_89 - Cardiff, United Kingdom
After reading about the different tracks you can take up to the summit, I decided to opt for the Minffordd path, and I was not disappointed! I managed to get here on the T2 bus from Dolgellau - it drops you off next to Dol Idris Car Park - just ask the driver where to jump off if you're unsure. Once you reach the car park, follow the signs to the start of the track - there is also a little cafe en route if you need any supplies, but don't rely on it too much as it wasn't open on the day that I went! The Minffordd Path itself is relatively easy to follow. After a steep initial ascent (with lot's of steps through a woodland) you reach a split in the path - a little stone bridge going right will take you up the Mynydd Moel path, which is a giant scree slope. The left will continue your journey along the Minffordd path and takes you to Llyn Cau,which is a really pretty lake, and a gorgeous spot to have a chill and recharge before continuing. After you've relaxed a bit, or just stopped for a photo opportunity, continue along the ridge, keeping the lake to your right and prepare for another steep climb towards Craig Cwm Amarch, the first peak you reach (after climbing over a stile). After taking a moment to admire the views, continue along the downward path for about 10-15 minutes and eventually the path will start ascending again - the path is pretty clearly marked until you get to this point, but then it becomes a bit difficult to follow as you begin the ascent as there is a lot of loose rock - just try and keep to the right and you'll eventually reach the trig point! From the top, you can choose to either go back the same way or choose a different descent. For anyone relying on the buses, like me, you can take the Mynydd Moel path back to the Dol Idris car park. Follow the flat ridge on the summit for a good while (it is essentially a circular route around the opposite side of Llyn Cau that you ascended). After a while you reach a stile - cross this and begin your descent down the scree slope. You eventually cross the little stone bridge that you saw on the way up, which then joins the Minffordd Path again for the final part of the descent back to the car park. Be warned, the descent down the Mynydd Moel is really tough on the knees - I thought mine were okay but this mountain proved me wrong! Overall, this was a challenging hike, but I would do it gain. The views never get tiring and, having done Snowdon 2 years previously, this was a far more spectacular walk. It really is not to be missed!
5. Harlech Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 592 reviews
Reviewed By JSHD2016 - Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
This beach is stunning and the water is quite warm in patches in the summer months. Definitely go and definitley take your golf clubs too because there is a golf course within stones throw of the beach along with camping and the steepest street in the world (according to Guiness World Book of records) just down the road plus castle. Enjoy
6. 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.
7. Watkin Path
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By furnesscumbria
Beautiful walk from small car park with family and dog well worth a visit to swim and jump into the pools. Luckily we had gorgeous weather but I’m sure it’s well worth the walk at anytime dramatic picturesque place. No toilets but beautiful picnic Place
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. Porth Neigwl (Hell's Mouth)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
Reviewed By Johnfrisbee - Christchurch, United Kingdom
Wow, such a long, wide and wild-if-windy beach. Perfect for a gentle stroll, or blowing off the cobwebs, depending on the weather. You get a real sense of isolation here, with not that many fellow walkers, (midweek/October). It's well signposted on the local road, with a small car park. Then around 5mins walk along a sandy path through the dunes... And then - the view! We enjoyed reading the various signs, learning a little of the beach's history and wildlife. (The more signs and info the better methinks. History and wildlife very important, as well as giving areas like these context.) We loved it here, spending a very happy hour, walking part of this huge beach. Oh that we had more time to cover it all...no matter, we'll return someday.
