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Original poster

north wales - suggestions of things to do

27 replies

Chipsandonionrings · 09/07/2017 18:22

in august we are heading to north Wales for 2 weeks. we have booked some lovely but basic campsites - we have a small campervan and a 3 yr old and 5 yr old.

we like parks, swimming and being outdoors. lots of the activities I have seen are for older children.

does any one have any good suggestions for activities, parks and pools that are age appropriate?... please.

we are taking bikes. also keen for restaurant and castle recommendations.

hit me with your must dos.. please. never been to north Wales and I am really excited as Wales is such a beautiful place. also is it going to rain the whole time?

thanks

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 09/07/2017 18:26

Go to Anglesey sea zoo
Penrhyn castle (NT)
The slate quarry at padarn
Get the train up snowdon
Llandudno for some seaside fun
Canaerfon castle (do your children like go Jetters on cebeebies? There's a go jetters about canaerfon castle!)

PotteringAlong · 09/07/2017 18:27

Bangor has a swimming pool if you need it if it's wet!

user1471530109 · 09/07/2017 18:30

I'm sure it will rain at least once! Wink

I live Abersoch. Nice restaurants (look on trip advisor for current reviews) and I'm planning on trying crabbing this year.
We went to a lovely beach last year but it was a bit of a walk (take a pushchair for youngest-path all the way) Morfa Nefyn. Nice pub on the beach.
To be honest, the weather was glorious last year so we spent every day on the beach. it rained one day and we ended up in the amusements at Pwhelli i hated it kids loved it.

user1471530109 · 09/07/2017 18:31
  • love! I wish I lived there.
ThomasRichard · 09/07/2017 18:33

Ooo I love north Wales! I'm going camping there again in August with my 2 (4 and 7yo). This is what I'm planning on, very loosely:

  • Snowdon walk. The 4yo wouldn't do the whole way so we'll walk up the Miner's path to the 2nd lake and have a picnic with views of the summit, assuming it's not cloudy.
  • renting a canoe on Llyn Gwynant and paddling round the lake. Always a hit.
  • treasure hunt around the campsite.
  • visiting the copper mine just outside Beddgelert.
  • going to the beach somewhere on Anglesey and maybe visiting the lighthouse if I can trust DD not to run off and fall off a cliff!
  • visiting Caernarfon castle.
  • visiting the national trust property on the Menai Straits, can't remember what it's called but the gardens are lovely.
  • bad weather: Anglesey sea zoo.
GraceGrape · 09/07/2017 18:35

Loads of castles. I like Caernarvon and Harlech (although it's quite ruined).

mamapants · 09/07/2017 18:39

Greenwood would be perfect at those ages.
Any of the nights castles, harlech, caernarfon, Beaumaris all good.
Beaches at lleyn peninsula end or Anglesey. Beaumaris has outdoor paddling pool, life boat, etc
Foel Farm is quite nice.
I wouldn't bother with the Sea zoo.
Llanberis is good, snowdon or lake train, slate museum etc.
Penmon is nice.
Depends where you are based really as can then suggest things near by.

mamapants · 09/07/2017 18:40

The national Trust property on the straits is Plas Newydd.

mamapants · 09/07/2017 18:42

There's a kids trail at coed y brenin mountain bike centre.
Nice places to eat again depending where you are Dylans menai Bridge. The lodge in Dinorwic is nice day time place.
Great ice cream at llanberis.

flapjackfairy · 09/07/2017 18:42

I have a caravan in north wales so spend a lot of time there.
Betsw y coed is lovely ( go early for parking) llanwryst is pretty and has a lovely tea room on the river ( good for a paddle ). Plas newydd on Anglesey is lovely as is Beaumaris with a lovely smallish castle perfect for young kids and a nice paddling pool and boat trips to puffin island. Oh and the welsh mountain zoo at colwyn bay has great animals and amazing views. Llanfairfechan beach is v nice with a great cafe and llechwedd slate mines are also good even on a rainy day . Rhyll has the sun centre water park and there is a small one at prestatyn in the nova centre alongside the amazing beach ( indoor )
So spoilt for choice really. Have fun !

flapjackfairy · 09/07/2017 18:43

Ps the pool is indoor not the beach ! Duh !

Original poster
Chipsandonionrings · 09/07/2017 19:27

wow loads of speedy replies thank you..... off to Google.

I want to go to the centre for alternative energy. the kids love trains so def thinking of a train ride.

I can't wait it's only 3 weeks now. praying for sunshine but just bought a roof box to chuck in a tonne of wet weather gear just in case!

any restaurant suggestions? someone at work mentioned hickorys at rhos on sea. we are not fussy but a bit tight!😂 I have been saving so I only have to prep 2 meals a day not 3 ( don't worry dh pulls his weight)

OP posts:
welshgirlwannabe · 09/07/2017 19:31

The centre for alternative technology is quite a ways from rhos on sea. North Wales os a big place with slow roads. Where abouts will you be based?

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 09/07/2017 19:53

Was about to say the same. CAT is in Machynlleth and the roads around there are DIRE.

Greenwood Forest Park is great, though. Just remember to take a small towel to dry your feet off after the (wonderful) barefoot trail...

2ManyDicksOnTheDancefloor · 09/07/2017 20:07

I second Dylan's at Menai Bridge, amazing food and views! Din Lligwy (Celtic settlement) on Anglesey followed by a day on Lligwy beach.

Newborough beach, Anglesey

Snowdonia, it is just amazing!

Harlech, Conwy and Caernarfon castle

Port Meirion

Aberdaron

We also have a small campervan and two kids. I'm from North Wales originally, but live in Yorkshire now. We go to Wales a lot in our van Smile

EveryoneTalkAboutPopMusic · 09/07/2017 20:16

Another one about to say that Machynlleth and Rhis are really 2 separate holidays, unless your DC like spending a huge amount of time in the car. Whereabouts will you be staying?

Frankiestein401 · 09/07/2017 20:43

Walk the castle walls at Conwy then walk up Conwy mountain - its gentle and fab views but don't go if any chance of bad weather - people do fall off the cliffs or lost in mist etc.
Up the orme in Llandudno on the tram - again good weather views, not if windy.
Lots of splendid empty beaches on south of Anglesey - though you usually have a bit of a walk from where you leave the vehicle
As mentioned - North Wales has good fast road across the top but anywhere inland from there is 30mph at best - single track not unusual, sheep in road just one of those things
3 & 5 probably a bit young for electric mountain - the ride into the mountain being fine but there's lots of talking.
If you want to show them "mountains" drive down the often valley (impressive in any weather) and if it's not too hot or too wet then park up at the youth hostel and take the (big wide) path up to llyn idwal -

Original poster
Chipsandonionrings · 09/07/2017 20:43

we are stayling at a place up near Snowdonia and then moving to a place near harleich (not sure of the spellings).

had totally forgotten about the roads.

thanks for all the suggestions

OP posts:
Frankiestein401 · 09/07/2017 20:50

Ogwen not often :
It's the A5 - views of tryfan, the glyders the great slabs at the head of llyn Ogwen and the big red beast of pen yr olwen :)

welshgirlwannabe · 09/07/2017 21:12

You'll be fab then op, you'll have a very exciting time I'm sure. Don't detour to rhos on sea for food, it is sooo not worth it.
Dylans in menai bridge is great.

You should definitely take your kids to Llanberis. They can paddle in the lagoons, ride the steam train around the lake, visit the (free) museum that shows all the old equipment from the quarry mines, have excellent homemade ice cream and proper greasy spoon treats at petes eats cafe (not actually greasy but you know what I mean!) It's great for your ages and all free or inexpensive.

Caernarfon castle is great. Anglesey has stunning beaches - Newborough is a firm favourite. You will probably wind up in Beaumaris (everyone does!) Which has a nice little paddling pool on the front and good fish and chips.

The weather here is very localised so don't be put off by cloud, there is every chance of better weather a few miles away.

Divide your days between mountain/ lake/ inland days and beach/ coastal path days to minimise driving. If it rains pili palas in Anglesey has a butterfly and insect house and soft play. Penrhyn castle near bangor is a national trust property with a steam train exhibition. The Waterloo hotel in Betws y Coed has a fantastic swimming pool open to non residents, as does seiont manner hotel in Caernarfon. Both are pricey though.

Sorry for writing a guide book length response Blush. Hope you have a great holiday

Original poster
Chipsandonionrings · 09/07/2017 22:26

thanks for all the replies I am looking forwards to it even more now! looks like loads to keep us occupied.

fingers crossed for some sunshine now

OP posts:
EveryoneTalkAboutPopMusic · 10/07/2017 08:42

Castle Creamery in Harlech does amazing ice cream and homemade pasties. The pasties usually come out of the oven at mid-day, so be early if you want one.

Nor-bar is on the road from Harlech to Barmouth. They have big booths for families and a good menu and you can sit outside and look out to sea. If you go to Barmouth, try the Mermaid Fish Bar. There's usually a big queue but that's because all the locals go there.

If you go to Porthmadog, try the Big Rock Cafe. It's a bit wacky but the food is good and they do children's boxes for lunch.

When you say you're staying near Snowdonia, you have seen how big Snowdonia is on a map haven't you? Smile

Original poster
Chipsandonionrings · 10/07/2017 14:17

thanks EVERY, nope not really just thought it sounded like a big adventure. I loved west wales and wanted to explore a little further. just starting the planning now- had a busy summer so far, I thought I would be more organised by this point. I tried here as mumsnet is usually my first place for advice. I think the north Wales idea originally came from a camping thread on here.

I have a campervan, 2 campsites booked and a credit card! I am sure it will be fine, just didn't want to miss any gems.

OP posts:
strikealight · 10/07/2017 14:24

Caernarfon is fab. Scoops Pancake House. The castle itself. Crabbing when the tide is right. Boat trip on the Menai straits. Over the bridge near the castle and up the hill is a really good playground.

UntilTheCowsComeHome · 10/07/2017 14:32

Llandudno has lots to do.

Take the tram up the Orme, or if you're brave the cable car from the park above the pier. The park itself is lovely with a little cafe. There's tobogganing and crazy golf at the foot of the Orme too. The pier is nice with all the usual seaside stuff to do. If you want good fish and chips you must try Fish Tram Chips next to the tram station, the best I've ever had. We take them to the park to eat with the lovely view over the sea.