North Wales

[Shopgirl1]

I’m based in Ireland and looking for somewhere for a few days exploring, with 2 children. I like the idea of north wales but it’s a long time since I’ve been there.
Id love a recommendation for places / towns to stay, maybe somewhere near Snowdonia and also somewhere coastal - is Colwyn Bay nice?

Conwy and Llandudno

Agreed I can't recommend Colwyn bay. What type of accommodation are you looking for?

Have you got a car?

What month are you looking at?

I'd go more for Cricieth, Harlech or Menai Bridge. Conwy is nice, Llandudno is a bit old fashioned, lots of retirees and coach trips. You'll feel more of a cultural difference in the West if that's what you're after.

Llandudno is nicer. Betws Y coed is lovely. If you Airbnb then the Lleyn peninsula is spectacular. Anglesey is popular for very good reasons.

if you’re planning to walk up Snowdon from Penypass then book parking very early and check if the train is running and book early.

If the kids want to do something different then check out bounce below.

Anglesey!

I think I might have been thinking of Conwy, does that have a castle on a hill? I have a vague memory of being there years ago.

Yes, we will have a car.

Not sure on accommodation…a hotel or self catering, don’t really mind. We are hoping to go in April. I’ve left it late to organise I know!

Conwy is good for exploring with kids but so is Caernarfon. For coastal I’d go for Anglesey or Harlech or Porthmadog and visit Portmeirion as well.

zipworld too

I follow this on FB with grandchildren in different age groups find here so useful. Actually met her at the RSPB she's a teacher with children of her own

Are you kind of on a budget so looking for a mix of entertainment.

In terms of entertainment we like visiting historic sites and walking, cosy pubs.

Not too strict a budget, but nothing crazy money either. We don’t need a spa hotel for example but want somewhere clean and cosy.

We have stayed at Ty Mawr holiday park in a lodge a couple of times and are going back this summer. Some places we've visited from there are; Bodnant Gardens, Penrhyn Castle, Conwy Castle, Portmerion, Dinowic Quarry, Gwrych Castle and Angel Bay.

Caernarfon castle is worth a visit , and that about it for that town.

Llanberis is stunning. You can easily spend the day there. Plenty to see, free slate museum, small castle, cafes, chippy, ice cream parlour, the lake, quarry, waterfall.

Thanks for tips, getting confused now as I want to stay in all of these places!

Any thoughts on Ruthin? Looks very pretty. Would it be easy to explore other areas from? I know it’s inland though.
Ive been looking at Llandudno too, but can’t find a hotel I like…can anyone recommend a family hotel in North Wales that won’t break the bank and maybe has a pool. In Ireland we have lots of hotels with leisure facilities, maybe it’s not such a thing in the UK.

It’s a nice little market town but not very touristy
I think you’d be better off staying in Anglesey or Gwynedd. You’re right that hotels with lots of family facilities aren’t that common, air bnbs and similar or caravan parks/campsites are the way forward.

Ruthin is lovely and there are often good deals to be had at Ruthin Castle Hotel. There isn’t an awful lot in the town itself (the gaol is good) but it’s well located for trips to other towns nearby that are worth seeing - Llangollen for example.

Denbighshire is a beautiful county with loads of walks

Pools, Empire hotel risboro hotel, imperial hotel.
From memory

Booking.com do offers as do the hotels. The best thing to do is sign up for emails. I'm always getting offers.

Forget the risboro awful reviews

This hotel only does B&B. but it's amazing.

"LAWTON & LAURISTON COURT HOTEL - Updated 2024 (Llandudno)" https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g190724-d6509096-Reviews-Lawton_Lauriston_Court_Hotel-Llandudno_Conwy_County_North_Wales_Wales.html

Anglesey is lovely, anywhere really as you can get around the whole island wherever you stay, but favourites are Benllech/red wharf Bay Area, Cemaes or Newborough.
If you prefer more inland/mountains Betws y Coed, Llanrwst or Capel Curig are nice. Llanberis is a lovely village and quite easy travelling distance to the coast and a load of attractions

Conwy is very nice. Colwyn bay is full of drug addicts, not very nice.