West Wales - where to aim for?

[321Go]

Hi
We have a week to spend in West Wales and I'm torn between the south and north!
I'm quite keen on climbing Snowdon (feasible at Easter with kids aged 5-10, all good walkers?) but can live without this.
We like beaches, walking and any other outdoorsy activities we can squeeze in on a budget.
Looking at New Quay, Porthmadog area or much further south.
Any recommendations?
Accommodation needs to be as economical as possible, and dog friendly too.
I've been looking at lodges/caravans in holiday villages / caravan parks mostly (purely for the cost).
Thanks!

[BackforGood]

I'd count Snowdon as North Wales!

tbh, there are so may nice places, it's difficult to choose.

West Wales I'd count from the North of Pembrokeshire to the bottom of the Snowdonia National Park.
If you want coastline there's zillions of beautiful places.
I like Cardigan myself.
Do you want castles, walking (mountains) , coast, (beaches or coastal path) man made activities, museums, or..... ?

[321Go]

Thanks! I guess yes the coastline between Pembrokeshire and Snowdonia was where I was meaning.
As far South as New Quay seems too far to be able to do a day trip to climb Snowdon, whereas Porthmadog kind of area would make this possible.
We have a dog with us, so like the idea of long beaches for him to run around.
We tend to avoid man-made activities - mountains and coastal path walking, castles if we come across any. Playing on the beach......
The choice of places is so big I don't know where to start!!

[rallytog1]

Another vote for Cardigan. Poppit Sands is one of the loveliest beaches I've ever been to.

[serin]

Snowdonia is just heavenly.

So much to do and see and not far from gorgeous beaches.

Harlech and Dolgellau are my favourite places.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Bedgelert might be a good base. Nice walks from the village, close enough to drive to Snowdon, not too far in the opposite direction for beaches. Can drive up the coast a bit further for castles.

[321Go]

Thanks for the replies!
Serin - I'm waiting to hear back from a couple of places near Harlech.
Will search for Bedgelert and Dolgellau now!

[hippo123]

Harlech area is lovely.

[AblokecalledClare]

Aberystwyth. I went to UNI there and it was the time of my life. The kids would be able to run on the beach and the prom and explore the castle, and most importantly, there is a nice sea-front pub.

[Luciferbox]

Betws-y-coed. We based ourselves there a few years ago. Lovely place. I still have fond memories of having a meal sat outside a gorgeous pub whilst listening to a large male voice choir. It was beautiful.

[Tobyjugg]

Avoid the north coast which is very much "holiday land" for Merseyside.

[Ferguson]

We used to go to Bala, with its famous lake. There is miniature lake-side railway now, between Bala and Llanuwchllyn village, at the foot of the Aran mountain.

[GiddyOnZackHunt]

Anglesey has some nice beaches for walking and you can get around a lot of nice bits of North Wales

[mandy214]

We have stayed at a couple of places - Anglesey (love it around Treaddurgh Bay although I'd class that as north wales), Bedgelert which is beautiful, and best of all, Cilcennin which was a little inland from New Quay. Had such a lovely time there, some parts quite unspoiled, barbecues on the beach (dolphins swam right up to the shore), very un-touristy and felt back-to-nature.

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

Anglesey is fantastic for walking. The coastal path extends all around the island and it really is so peaceful and charming.

We stayed in Moelfre, wasn't bad priced for a lovely cottage right on the coast. It was properly stunning wnd very evening we'd wander to the waters edge and the dses played on the rocks.

We love North Wales, there is so much to do. The walking is incredible, Snowdon is well worth the effort. There are so many castles too, Caenarfon is my personal favourite but there is so much choice. Kids love castles in my experience.

[LapsedTwentysomething]

Loving the definitions of West Wales here. Do you people own maps? We are currently in Llangrannog which is just a lovely beach with a stream running through it, a cafe and a couple of pubs. Perfection, and fantastic ice cream and cakes.