Must visit beaches/places North Wales

[Atstritchsitchmitch]

We have 6 nights in 3 locations, Amlwch, Caernarfon and Aberdunant Hall. Is there anywhere you would have on your list for must visit places/beaches/restaurants/food places?

So far I'm thinking a boat trip to Puffin Island, Trearddur Bay, Greenwood Family Park, Portmeirion, Barmouth.

Any other suggestions?

I live in the area and can give you lots of advice. But first, what age are your children and when are you travelling?

Shell island and Nantcol Waterfalls are both a good afternoon out in good weather

Rhaeadr Nantcol Waterfalls

Another vote for newborough/llandwynn - absolutely stunning. Betsw-y-coed also.

Lots of zip worlds to choose from too in the areas mentioned.

Ogwen bank is a good lodge holiday spot too for the pp who asked

How old are your dc?

I live fairly locally but hesitate to advise. Ages of the children, girls, boys. It makes such a difference. Plus @Atstritchsitchmitch is relying on good weather.

Lots of people have said Newborough and I totally agree, but make sure you check the tide times and walk the length of the beach to Llanddwyn island. It is cut off by the high tide for 4 hours a day, so if the tide is going out, it’s perfect. I second the copper mine, it’s fantastic! So many places are great. We love the zip world Fforest coaster too. Harlech and Caernarfon castles are stunning, Beaumaris really pretty too.

We just got back from today from a lovely place called Plas Isaf in Caerwys. It was a great base for us to explore all of North Wales and it even came with a hot tub!
www.hoseasons.co.uk/accom/plas-isaf-lodge-retreat-plas?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20153266726&gbraid=0AAAAAD4Juf75Y-PM6e7lxWeg_ts-icUI-&gclid=Cj0KCQjw64jDBhDXARIsABkk8J4HgAamQ5XpWjoADVx7xm607idEx_lKfNcUkr_sxVvDDda6ZKFam4UaAgifEALw_wcB

Yes! This. And the Copper Mine sounds great, and there were seals when I went, and some peeps like the Alice trail.

I assume you will have 2 nights at each location? In which case you won't want to spend too much time driving around from place to place?

Near Amlwch: Sandy beaches near(ish) to Amlwch are Lligwy, Benllech and Cemaes. Red Wharf Bay is lovely and the Ship Inn is a great place to eat, especially if the weather is good and you can sit outside. Trearddur Bay is quite a drive from Amlwch although it is lovely. Newborough Beach is wonderful, but parking is notoriously difficult because it gets so busy. Also bear in mind you will need to check tide times if you want to walk over to Llanddwyn Island as it's easy to get stranded. Beaumaris is lovely and a bit further on from there is Penmon where there is an old priory, dovecote and St Seiriol’s Well. A private road (fee payable) leads on from there to Penmon Lighthouse.

Near Caernarfon: The castle at Caernarfon is definitely worth visiting. Dinas Dinlle beach is a long stony beach which has lovely views, especially from the top of the Iron Age Hillfort. A few places to eat there and also a café at Caernarfon airport where the museum is a great place to visit if the weather is bad. Glasfryn Parc near Pwllheli has indoor and outdoor activities for kids. The beach at Llanbedrog is excellent, as is Morfa Nefyn and the famous pub on the beach, Ty Coch.

Near Porthmadog: Personally, I don’t get the fascination with Portmeirion, but yes, it is pretty. Excellent castles at Criccieth and Harlech and also there is a spectacularly long sandy beach near Harlech. Lovely little pretty village of Borth-y-Gest near Porthmadog. Barmouth is quite a drive from your locations and (in my opinion) not really worth the effort.

Beddgelert is very pretty and the drive to it from Porthmadog along the Aberglaslyn Pass is a wonderfully scenic journey. You can stop at various places along the way and spend some time by the Afon (river) Glaslyn.

All the steam railways in the area are fantastic but not sure if you need to book ahead and also the weather really needs to be good for you to get the best out of it.

Basically, you’re going to need more than 6 days!!

The Penmon toll road is £7. Absolute rip
off but there we are. Penrhyn Castle is very close to the A55 near Bangor and on your way to Anglesey if you have NT membership. You will also pass Conwy ( Castle, Medieval Merchants House, Smallest House, Quay etc) on your way so may be worth stopping off. Then you have the beach at Penmaenmawr (alongside A55) and the promenade at Llanfairfechan. To be honest you could spend six days before you cross to the Island.

bangor pier is very peaceful
i had a lush meal at “the slate”

For younger ones Gypsy Wood Park outside Caernarfon is a lovely visit.

Penrhyn Castle interesting. You'll need a mix of attractions depending on the weather.

Friend spent two nights at Hafan y Mor with her children who didn't want to leave. The chalet was clean, the swimming pool amazing, food good.. she paid £115 on a special deal.

You beat me to it on Gypsy Wood! I'd say up to about 9 or 10? Tweens might not like it.

Don't forget to report back

I’d forgo Treaddur bay and go to Newborough/Llanddwyn beach instead.

Betwys is gorgeous - love the walk along the river and sitting on the big rocks by the jumping bridge.

Love the Great Orme and West Shore.

Have a fabulous time - I do miss living there.

Drive through the Ogwen Balley frok Betwys towards Bangor - scenery is LOTR epic level. Walk up to Cwm Ogwen

Highly recommend using Heritagexplore - I recently did and visited Gwrych Castle which I booked through them for a visit with family and it was excellent.

I wouldn't waste your time with Portmerion, I'd do one of the National Trusts instead. Penrhyn Castle and Bodnant Gardens both worth a visit. It's only tiny but when our kids were little they loved a drive out to Plas yn Rhiw and play in the gardens, the views from top were amazing and we tied it in with flying kites at Hells Mouth after.

Now for something completely different, not for every one but we love it
https://www.felinwales.org
The Cafe is fab, real food locally grown and very tasty, but no meat so not for every one, the walk around the grounds is great too, we love the underground meeting place and the random building dotted around

Not sure if the times still work but we did a few days trips to Dublin via Holyhead.

Porthmadog
Beddgelert
Harlech
Nefyn
Criccieth

Very nice places on your list but Aberystwyth is 1.5hr drive from Aberdunant Hall and many of the others even further. Mid Wales is amazing and underrated but OP is visiting north Wales this time!