North Wales or Lake District?

[WeeMadArthur1]

Looking for a UK holiday for us and teen DCs. Between us we all want different things so I’m trying to find somewhere that will have something for everyone. Things we’d like are:

• Nice walks (ideally hills)
• Beach, or possibly big lake
• Activities for teens
• Close enough to a town for eating out (within 30 mins drive)

I wondered whether somewhere near Barmouth/Harlech in Wales would work as it is close to beaches but at the edge of Snowdonia - it looks as though there are a few activity type places - the cave trampolining, zip lining, wild swimming near some waterfalls, Harlech castle (also Portmerion and the steam railway, although that’s more for us than the DCs).

The lakes might work as well for walks, but I’m not so familiar with the area - I can see there are lots of water activities - kayaking, etc but is there much else for teens?

The beaches of North Wales are better than the Cumbrian ones. Unless you have a dog with you, in which case one person has to gaze forlornly from the prom with the dog while the others have fun.
I do like Seascale and Drigg beaches, but swimming in the shadow of Sellafield isn’t for everyone. Which is probably why they are mostly quiet and why I prefer them

@WeeMadArthur1

Thanks for all the fab recommendations - we’re going for north Wales - near Beddgelert. Within about 30 mins drive of all the things we want. Thanks for all the suggestions of things to do.

Lovely area! I’m sure you’ll have loads of fun there.

Never been to the lakes but staying just outside Harlech in the summer been twice last 5 years. Have a 5 10 and 19yr old. Harlech castle is a morning but Conway castle is amazing and a really bustling town. Barmouth is a lovely beach nice and seaside town. Coed y Benin is good for a walk or bike trails. Portmerion is actually really nice. Railway into Porthmedog which is nice for an afternoon. Aberdareon is a small but lovely beach.

Better beaches in Wales but otherwise less good for activities than the lakes. Traffic in North Wales is heinous. I'm still traumatised after our 5 hour trip to do a 2 hour journey at the end of the October half term from the llyn peninsula. Anglesey might be better in the summer but expect all the journeys to take ages. Set-off early each day.

Personally I'd stay in or near Keswick with parking take the launch earlier in the day one day, walk around derwentwater (stop at one of the pubs near lodore falls) , walk up to castlerigg stone circle. Walk out to Threlkeld having booked to eat at the pub there. Get a bus pass (expensive) and bus it over to honister for the slate mine, some activities there, and Buttermere (at Buttermere book lunch or tea at the Trout Hotel and its not a long walk around the lake. Go ape at Grizedale forest or rent bikes for a day, Bus or drive to Grasmere, get gingerbread walk up to Rydal caves, badger bar on the way back then back into Grasmere for drink in tea at Tweedys. Keswick book Kong adventure indoor climbing, plenty of lovely places to eat tea in Keswick (book ahead), dont forget the Keswickian fish and chips, book in to the watersports centre, plan a day by a lake (Google best way to do this as you don't want to carry stuff too far) crazy golf (may be rubbish for your teens), go swimming at the leisure centre they have a water slide.

All good!

Good choice! Beddgelert is beautiful. Take a walk down to Aberglasyn on the riverside path - it has handholds so even teenagers can find it fun. Try a Glaslyn ice cream as well, and take the steam train through the mountains.

And for wild swimming you can’t beat the waterfalls on the Watkin path

@ZenNudist just for info, the pool at Keswick Leisure centre has been closed since the first lockdown and there are no plans to ever reopen it unfortunately.

We go camping to a place called nantcol waterfalls near Barmouth, it's beautiful and they are so have some cottages that you can hire. Love it up there, there's a lake up in the mountains but your close to shell island and in between Barmouth and Harlech

That's where we are staying this year for the first time it looks lovely

Love north wales! Was about to say snowdonia from your list of wants before you even mentioned it

OP
Really glad you have sorted a place.
Llyn Gwynant is just up the road, lovely lake and camp site and one of the Tomb Raider film locations
www.gwynant.com/pages/links/film%20locations.html
Re the traffic comments
As with all places do your route planning home work.
IE
If going Manchester to Conwy / Llandudno
M56 / A55
Try this way, Yes its longer but loads to see and do on the way, make the journey and adventure not just A to B
www.donthibernate.co.uk/route-1-llandudno-from-m62-m56/
Or this way
www.donthibernate.co.uk/route-2-m56-m62-to-llandudno-the-most-scenic-route/

Definitely Wales, around Snowden there's loads to do.

The lake District is horrible during the holidays, we live 20 minutes away and didnt visit at all last year. It's so much worse because people arent going abroad so much.

@AgeingDoc thanks for telling me. That's a shame. I'd be disappointed to discover that by heading there with DC. My friend lives in Cockermouth so pre covid we'd often detour to Keswick. No plans to go to lakes ATM but still love love Keswick.

Glad the OP has a holiday plan. My traffic woes in Wales were partly school holiday traffic and partly to do with rain and flooding. Hopefully not an issue in August!!