Tal-y-Cafn, wales... anyonknow the bodnant estate?

[bea]

we're off to Tal-y-Cafn, for half term! we've rented a cottage on the bodnant estate and was wondering if any of you mumsnetters know the area... what will there be to do? any places open to keep a 2 and 4 year old amused... thought the Bodnant Gardens (national trust) could possibley eb open... but we're are in 'low season' so i shouldn;t be surprised that it's closed until march?

any ideas anyone... we're only there for a short 3 day break... exploring snowdonia and the surrounding area...

plus any good child friendly eateries around the area?

ta!

no-one know of the area?

Hey,me again bea!
I know it very well.
Just off to a party but will post later (and try and give you the names of those pubs ok??)

ace! thanks moondog.. have a good party!!!

Bea,the name of this bloody pub in Cheshirte is driving me mad!
Been trawling for ages but can't find it. Grrrr!
Anyway,there are actually a lot of very nice child friendly pubs around Chester.If you come off the motorway and take the smaller roads before joining A55,you'll come across them.

The pub oustside Prestatyn is called Nant Hall,which I like. Might be a bit out of your way though.As I said,on the road out towards Mostyn.Just been taken over,so their website not yet up and runnig (I checked.)

Bodnant is lovely,done so tastefully as all NT places are.The drive down the Conwy valley from Llandudno is lovely.

You don't have much time,but I would suggest a day in Llandudno/Conwy.
Drive up the Orme (not sure if the cable cars and tram will be open) and/or take a stroll on the pier and promenade in Llandudno.
Badgers in th Arcade opposite M&S is consistently voted a great place for afternoon tea. I would go for the Tudno (on the seafront) though although the room is a little small for lively small children. The bogger hotels on the front have glassed in verandahs and might be more suitable for a drink. There is one I like,will come back with the name (aaargh,brain like a sieve!).

The Cottage Loaf is a nice pub-right in the centre of town.

In Conwy,check out the castle,walk the town walls (great fun,you're on the ramparts) and check out the smallest house in Britain on the quay.Kids will love it!

Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay is good fun.
I'd steer clear of Betws y Coed-full of dull tea shops and places selling sheepskin slippers.
Youcould do Llanberis (foot of Snowdon,noit sure if trains running up) and Caernarfon in a day.
Get a meal in Llanberis at legendary Pete's Eats-walkers and climbers hangout.
In C'fon you coul;d do the castle or (if you like this sort of thing) there is a kids' play centre in an old church called the Hwylfan.Good little tourist office opposite the castle-I used to work there.

Maybe whizz over the bridge to Anglesey? Views are great over the straits.
Kids might enjoy seeing Llanfairpwllgwyn.......place with the longest place name in Europe.
Terribly dull town but fun to see the sign at the train station.

The Imperial in Llandudno!
Have discovered that hotel bars are great with little kids.
Usually big,half empty and you get more spoilt than you do in a pub.
Last time I was there,my coffee was delivered on a tray with hot milk,nice biscuits and so on,and sat for ages,reading my paper while the kids messed about.

Hi bea, agree with moondog on all but 2 of her points. Betws y Coed is beautiful (although it can be full of tourists) Lovely cafe on the other side of the green, near the train station and the public loos- try their chicken and pine nut jacket potato- it really is to die for. Llanfair PG (the place with a long name) isn't dull at all (how dare you moondog ) Lunch in the sidings retaurant in James Pringle weavers or why not try the Penrhs pub or the Ty Gwyn pub. Lots of beautiful walks, also kiddies playground (turn up by the Chinese)

Sut mae Pixie!

But BYC is cold (north facing) and not very er....Welsh. Mind you,haven't tried the cafes on the side you mention so am willing to be corrected.

I love Anglesey (my office used to be in LlanfairPG!) but come on,it is a bit.......
I never got why they have a bloody Scottish retail outlet there. Grrrrrrrrrrr!!

thanks for all the advice... we had a fab tiome (would highly recmmened Rural Retreat cottages! v. expensive but gorgeous cottage and a much appreciated hamper greeting us when we arrived!)

me and dh have decided that we MUST start booking short breaks in the high season as lo and behold a lot of the 'amusments' were shut!

Bodnant Gardens, all the recommended railway rides etc! but we did go to Carnarfon Castle (very very wet and damp day) Electric Mountain (which doesn;t sound as ghastly as it seems! dh was very upset that he missed out on a trip into the mpountain though!), Lladudno... very picturesque vioctorian seaside where we had fish and chips and walked along the pier and promenade, Graet Orme.. very scary driving along the cliff edge but the trams were shut!

so a good time was had by all ... thanks for all the advice...!