Caernarfon family holiday, any ideas to keep young 'uns happy please.

[victoryinthekitchen]

We have a cottage holiday booked at half term with friends near Caernarfon, taking 4 kids age 10 - 14. It looks like there is a fair bit to do in the area (horse riding, zoo, slate mines). Anybody have any inside knowledge on the best bits, also is it worth taking bikes or is it too hilly? Thanks!

Take the bikes - there's a cycle path next to old railway so fairly flat with lovely views of the coast.
There's a castle there too if they like history!

Thanks catslife, we'll take bikes and yes they're into history :)

About 30mins away on Anglesey there's newborough beach, you can walk along the beach to Llanddwyn island or ride your bikes through the forest there's bike trails there. Can recommend a few places to eat in Caernarfon as well, depends what your kids like

The Ffestiniog steam railway from Caernarfon to Portmadoc is absolutely stunning. I'm not usually that into scenery but we all really enjoyed that ( 2 × 13 year olds and a 6 year old).

Also Gypsy Wood was a really good day out. You'd probably need the weather to be decent for that though.

greenwood park go carts den building people-powered rollercoaster

fun factory soft play has very steep slides young teens love

plas newydd on anglesey national trust grounds frisbee golf

bounce below www.bouncebelow.net/

do a simple easy walk which still gives chance to climb a little eg cwm idwal www.snowdoniaguide.com/cwm_idwal.html

slate mines

llandudno great orme copper mines, plus cable car

i mean fun centre has laser sport as well www.thefuncentre.co.uk/laser-space-sport/

I totally misread this as Cameron family holiday! I thought you were off with Dave and Sam. My advice was take plenty of gin, regardless of the election result you'd need it.

The castle is great, there's a boat round you can go on which dd enjoyed (she was 11 at the time), and we had great fun crabbing on the wharf.

Padarn Adventures for high ropes - it's in the Slate Mine Museum grounds at Llanberis

Also Glasfryn for go carting and kayaking. Think you can do wake boarding there as well no thanks

fairyfuckwings
The Ffestiniog steam railway from Caernarfon to Portmadoc is absolutely stunning. I'm not usually that into scenery but we all really enjoyed that ( 2 × 13 year olds and a 6 year old).

And if you do end up in Portmadoc then Portmerrion is only a stones throw away - definitely worth a visit.

they are all fantastic tips thanks. Can't wait! :)
Ha ha LowryFan, not sure I could cope with a week of the Cameron's, much prefer my own motley crew!

Walk up Snowdon or take the train and walk down.

The cycle path is called Lon Las Cymru. Its fab! Nice cafe @ Inigo Jones Skate works.

How about just walking for a day? Lovely hills which are totally accessible and take a picnic. You could go up Moel Tryfan in the Nantlle Valley. Ample countryside walks without having to take to the hills.

Dinas Dinlle beach is great. Has a lovely cafe called Bwyty Lleu and there is a nice one at Caernarfon Airport.

Glasfryn Park near Pwllheli is great too. Karting/bowling.

Beddgelert is nice. Cafes/walks/ice cream and Gelerts grave. www.beddgelerttourism.com/gelert/

of course Llanberis. Small castle is free. Quarry hospital and skate museum for local history. And of course the Electric Mountain. I love nothing more than walking up to Marchlyn Mawr (the lake at the top of the mountain which they drain to create electricity. www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walks/walks/walk_b/1453/ great walk and a road up to the lake as it was use until a few years ago by lorries. Beautiful.

I totally agree the West Highland railway Portmadoc to Caernarfon is wonderful - did a couple of the Welsh lines and that one was BEAUTIFUL, would definitely do it again if we went.

Caernarfon castle was great but we regretted wandering around on our own rather than doing a tour (one of my children has to know the "why" of everything)

Llechwedd slate caverns are still one of my sons favourite trips ever llechwedd probably not for you if you are claustrophobic though! Hearing the welsh choir in the dark was incredible.

Worth a visit to Beddgelert some lovely areas to walk around. The day we were there they had a rubber duck race on the river which was rather amusing.

Agreeing with Lavazza on Gelert! Should read first!