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FAMILY FUN IN NORTH WALES

When you visit North Wales you will find a great selection of attractions concentrated in a small area that will be of interest for all the family. There’s a good choice of child-friendly accommodation located in small country villages and pretty seaside towns, and a wide variety of places to visit all within easy reach. Whatever the weather you will always find something interesting to do or place to visit - you can take a mountain railway to the summit of Snowdon, ride steam trains through stunning scenery or electric trains deep into mountainsides, visit historic houses, go to underground slate mines and caverns, and relax on beautiful sandy beaches.

The historic walled town of Caernarfon with its mighty fortress built during the reign of Edward 1st and site of the Investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales in 1969, is an excellent location for a base to visit the places of interest and attractions in North Wales. The imposing Caernarfon Castle is a great place to let the children run free and explore, nearby is an indoor Adventure Play Centre which is ideal on a cold or rainy, and the Greenwood Forest Park is the perfect place to have lots of outdoor fun and entertainment. The towns’ Galeri Creative Enterprise Centre arranges an ongoing variety of concerts, family and children’s theatre productions and workshops, and shows films on Wednesday evenings and a Sunday children’s matinee.

The Snowdonia area offers a variety of opportunities for families to have fun. Set amongst spectacular scenery is the National Slate Museum in the Padarn Country Park; Electric Mountain Centre is the starting point for tours of Dinorwig Power Station; the Snowdon Mountain Railway takes you 1085m (3560ft) to the summit of Snowdon, and Llanberis Lake Railway for a delightful lakeside trip on a historic narrow-gauge steam train; at King Arthur’s Labyrinth you can take a boat trip along a subterranean river deep into the Labyrinth and far into the past; Glasfryn Parc Activity Centre has a variety of family attractions; Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw Arts Centre is a magnificent Victorian Gothic mansion overlooking Cardigan Bay, and Plas Tan-y-Bwlch is the interesting Snowdonia National Park environmental studies centre.

The Isle of Anglesey has many interesting places to visit; Plas Newydd is home to the Marquess of Anglesey; Oriel Ynys Mon houses the Anglesey Museum and Art Gallery; Beaumaris Gaol gives you a fascinating insight into the world of the prisoner in Victorian times; Llynnon Mill is the only working windmill in Wales; South Stack Lighthouse is one of Wales’ most spectacular lighthouses, and the Seawatch Centre in the picturesque harbour village of Moelfre is a reminder of the island’s rich maritime history and the importance of the sea for the people of Anglesey.

Other family attractions in North Wales include the Llechwedd Slate Caverns with a Victorian village and two underground train rides; Ffestiniog Railway, the worlds oldest independent railway company; the Welsh Mountain Zoo is a conservation zoo set in garden surroundings high above Colwyn Bay; Penryhn Castle has many activities and museums to interest the whole family, and the fascinating Italian renaissance style village of Portmeirion is a wonderful place to explore. Located along the north coast are the popular seaside resorts of Rhyl, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno where you will find attractions such as the Alice in Wonderland Centre, SeaQuarium and Rhyl Sun Centre. In Wrexham is the Discovery Centre with amazing shows and presentations where science comes to life, and in Chester, the gateway to North Wales, you will find Chester Zoo and the Dewa Roman Experience.

ATTRACTIONS

Caernarfon Castle
This is probably the most famous of Wales’s many castles, its sheer scale and commanding presence easily set it apart from the rest. Standing at the mouth of the Seiont river, the fortress dominates the historic walled town. History comes alive here in so many ways - exploring the many towers and walks along the battlements, and with imaginative exhibitions and museums.
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Adventure Play Centre - Caernarfon
While the kids are wearing themselves out on the giant drop slides, ball pools, tubes, bridges, maze, climbing walls, net and ropes, parents can relax in the fully licensed restaurant, enjoy the outside patio area or join the children in the play area. There’s large play areas for children under 5 with seating, and the opportunity to visit the museum depicting the history of the magnificent church that houses the centre.
www.thefuncentre.co.uk

Greenwood Forest Park - Y Felinely
When you are planning a great fun day out this exceptional award-winning family attraction has so much to enjoy, whatever the weather. Here you can enjoy the challenge of the Green Dragon family roller coaster, zoom down the 70m sledge slide - the longest in Wales, pull yourself on a boat through the jungle, get right on target with a traditional longbow, build yourselves a den in the wildwood, put your brain cells to the test in the Puzzle Barn, explore the new Crocodile Maze, check out your balance by walking on stilts, enjoy entertainment in the Forest Theatre, and drive a mini-tractor. Children can enjoy themselves in the two adventure playgrounds and the younger ones can play in the Toddlers' Village. Indoors there’s the medieval-style Great Hall, an extensive 'hands-on' exhibition about the Wonderful World of Trees, see honey bees at work in their hive, and feel for yourselves the heat of the desert and the force of a sandstorm.
www.greenwoodforestpark.co.uk

National Slate Museum - Llanberis
Located in the original Victorian engineering workshops of the Dinorwig Slate Quarry, this is a living, working museum telling the story of the slate industry in North Wales. Attractions include Quarryman’s houses, a giant water wheel and slate splitting demonstrations. Admission is free and there’s a café and children’s play area.
www.nmgw.ac.uk

Electric Mountain Centre - Llanberis
The centre houses shops, a café and art displays, and is the starting point for spectacular tours of the Dinorwig Power Station where you can discover how water is used to power a nation. Dinorwig is found inside Europe’s largest man-made cavern, deep inside Elidir Mountain.
www.electricmountain.co.uk

Snowdon Mountain Railway - Llanberis
The whole family will enjoy this exciting ride to the summit of Wales’ highest mountain. The scenery and views are stunning and the new audio visual theatre explains about the history and landscape. A new visitor centre on the summit is being planned for the future.
www.snowdonrailway.co.uk

Llanberis Lake Railway - Llanberis
From the station in the beautiful Padarn Country Park you can take this 5-mile return trip on a historic narrow-gauge steam train with magnificent views across the Padarn Lake towards mighty Snowdon. The journey begins with a ride along the new extension to Llanberis village, passing historic Dolbadarn Castle en-route, then continues along the shore of the lake.
www.lake-railway.co.uk

King Arthur’s Labyrinth - Machynlleth
The Corris Craft Centre, home to ten craft workshops with fascinating displays of a wide range of locally produced items, is the starting point for the journey into the Labyrinth. A boat voyage takes you deep into the Labyrinth and Welsh tales of King Arthur are told as you pass through winding tunnels and huge caverns. Above ground is Bards’ Quest where you can have fun searching for ancient legends lost in the maze of time.
www.kingarthurslabyrinth.com

Glasfryn Parc Activity Centre - Pwllheli
Located in the heart of the Llyn Peninsula, this activity and adventure centre is great place for a family day out for everyone aged from three years upwards. They have a go-kart circuit, quad bikes, archery, ten-pin bowling and a children’s play area.
www.glasfryn.co.uk

Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw Arts Centre - Llanbedrog
This is a lovely place for families to relax and enjoy a coffee or meal in a magnificent listed Gothic Victorian Mansion House with superb gardens and views over Cardigan Bay. They have new monthly art exhibitions of works from Wales’ premier artists, together with collections of Swansea and Nantgarw Porcelain on display.
www.oriel.org.uk

Plas Tan-y-Bwlch - Penrhyndeudraeth
Plas Tan-y-Bwlch occupies a superb position overlooking the valley of the river Dwyryd in the heart of the National Park. The 19th century mansion was home to the Oakley family until it was taken over by the Snowdonia National Park and it is now used as a centre for residential courses. There are some courses suitable for families and they do have family rooms and lodges in the grounds. The interesting gardens, originally Victorian in design, have now been cultivated to sustain local wildlife and are home to many indigenous birds and animals. The original rhododendrons and azaleas brought over to Wales from the Himalayas over 200 years ago, still thrive in the garden. Children will especially have fun with the information boxes located at various points throughout the gardens. A great way to visit is via the Ffestiniog Railway which has a station within easy walking distance.
www.plastanybwlch.com

Llechwedd Slate Caverns - Blaenau Ffestiniog
Here you can ride through spectacular tunnels and caverns, pass a dramatic underground lake, to explore the heritage and experience the working conditions of Victorian slate miners. There are two underground tours, the 1846 Miners’ Tramway or descend into the Deep Mine on Britain’s steepest railway. On the surface is an interesting Victorian village with a pub and shops.
www.llechwedd-slate-caverns.co.uk

Ffestiniog Railway - Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog
The Ffestiniog Railway is the oldest independent railway company in the world. The carriages are comfortable and the whole family will enjoy travelling through the spectacular scenery of the Snowdonia National Park, between Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog. Today the Company also operates trains on its sister railway, the Welsh Highland Railway, between Caernarfon and Rhyd Ddu, part of a major project to re-open the old line through to Porthmadog.

There are special family trains such as Santa Trains, Easter Parade, Halloween, and Bangers ‘n’ Mash trains when you can have this traditional dish served at your seat.
www.festrail.co.uk

Welsh Highland Railway - Porthmadog
You take a trip back in time on this small friendly railway. Riding the narrow gauge line includes a visit to the railway sheds where the children can explore and climb on the engines and see how the railway works. This is an ideal attraction for families with young children, and for big kids up to the age of 90!
www.whr.co.uk

Penryhn Castle - Bangor
This 19th-century fantasy castle with spectacular contents and grounds has magnificent views over Snowdonia is very family-friendly. It has a unique furniture collection and the best private art collection, in context, in Wales, large gardens and grounds with a formal Victorian walled garden, and an adventure playground. The stable block houses an industrial railway museum, a model railway museum and a superb dolls' museum displaying a large collection of 19th and 20th century dolls. This is an ideal place to spend a day because there is so much to see that will interest the whole family.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Portmeirion
This amazing village was constructed by Clough Williams-Ellis on his own private peninsula from 1925 to 1975 and has become known as one of the most successful British architectural projects of the twentieth century. Most buildings were designed and built by Clough, but some were transported from elsewhere such as the Town Hall and the Bristol Colonnade. This was also the location of the sixties cult TV series, 'The Prisoner‘. With nice shops, café’s and restaurants, this is a super place to spend a relaxing day.
www.portmeirion-village.com

Plas Newydd - Llanfairpwll, Anglesey
Built in the 18th-century by renowned architect James Wyatt, Plas Newydd is home to the Marquess of Anglesey. The house stands on the banks of the Menai Strait and commands magnificent views of Snowdon. It is famous for its association with Rex Whistler, whose largest painting can be seen here. A military museum contains campaign relics of the 1st Marquess of Anglesey and the Battle of Waterloo. The gardens are the best feature for children with lovely woodland walks and an adventure playground, but be aware that not all the paths are tarmac and some will be muddy in wet weather.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Oriel Ynys Mon - Llangefni, Anglesey
This is a great place to learn about the cultural history of Anglesey whilst enjoying the centre's atmospheric History Gallery which presents a vivid account of the island's past through sound, imagery, reconstructions and real artefacts. The Art Gallery offers a dynamic programme of creative exhibitions from all art forms, displaying the work of established artists and young talents alike.
www.islandofchoice.com

Beaumaris Gaol - Beaumaris, Anglesey
This Victorian Gaol was built by Hansom (famous for the Hansom Cab) in 1829. The gaol gives you a fascinating insight into the world of the prisoner in Victorian times and features the only working tread wheel in Britain and a gibbet which is still fixed to the wall.
www.islandofchoice.com

Llynnon Mill - Llanddeusant, Anglesey
Mills were built to grind the grain into flour and the island once boasted around one hundred watermills and windmills, but only two working mills survive today, Melin Llynnon and Melin Howell watermill. This is the perfect place to enjoy a traditional Welsh tea where fine traditional home cooking can be enjoyed in beautiful surroundings and a varied menu can be sampled, including baking using wholemeal flour straight from the mill. The Anglesey Craftworkers' Guild Shop, situated below the tea room, stocks an array of products crafted on the Isle of Anglesey.
www.islandofchoice.com

South Stack Lighthouse - Holyhead, Anglesey
To get to this spectacular lighthouse you tackle over 400 steps down the cliff and get wonderful views of the surrounding vertical cliff faces. Once on the island you will be able to see exhibitions on the bird life and the natural environment, and visit the engine room before climbing to the top of the lighthouse.
www.islandofchoice.com

Seawatch Centre - Moelfre, Anglesey
Located in the picturesque harbour village of Moelfre, the Seawatch Centre is a reminder of the island’s rich maritime history and the importance of the sea for the people of Anglesey. You will see lifeboat and shipwreck displays, memorabilia, and learn more about the Royal Charter tragedy, and how it brought Charles Dickens to Moelfre to report on the story.
www.islandofchoice.com

Alice in Wonderland Centre - Llandudno
Here Llandudno celebrates its connection with Alice Liddell who was the inspiration for Lewis Carroll to write his classic story. Children will be fascinated to see the Wonderland story come to life in colourful , life-size displays and hear recorded excerpts from the story.
www.wonderland.co.uk

SeaQuarium - Rhyl
Walking through this amazing underwater tunnel is a great way to see and get close to the creatures that live in lakes, rivers and seas. You can explore and walk from cold fresh water lakes high in the mountains, down to the shore and out into the waves. Then dive down onto the continental shelf, follow it as it goes deeper and deeper, until finally it falls away, down into the deep abyss. Along the way you will see hundreds of animals from many different species, including salamanders that never grow up, animals with lots of legs but no bones, frogs that think they're skydivers and a moray eel disguised as a zebra! With regular talks, touchpools and feeding demonstrations, there is something for everyone here.
www.seaquarium.co.uk

Rhyl Sun Centre - Rhyl
There are rides, slides and pools to suit every member of the family here and you can enjoy the warm tropical climate whatever the weather outside. The Sun Centre is the first leisure pool in Europe to feature indoor surfing - you can ride the rapids on a tube and descend over 300 feet, ride the 200ft Black Hole, enter the Lagoon Pool with tropical storms, or ride the Monorail and Dragon Slide. On a sunny day you can just relax on the outside Sun Deck and enjoy views of the North Wales coast.
www.rhylsuncentre.co.uk

Welsh Mountain Zoo - Colwyn Bay
Located high above Colwyn Bay with panoramic views and breathtaking scenery, you can spend a perfect day at this family friendly Zoo in the company of rare and endangered animals from Britain and around the World. Don’t miss the red pandas, brown bears, monkeys, tigers, penguin parade, sealion shows, chimp encounter, Bear Falls and the children’s farm. The children will especially love the Jungle Adventureland and Adventure playground. In the Media Centre you can do a virtual tour of the Zoo and play some great educational computer games.
www.welshmountainzoo.org

Discovery Centre - Wrexham
This centre is an educational, hands-on science discovery for all the family. There’s over 60 hands-on interactive exhibits to help you understand science and technology, and family activities and workshops involving fascinating subjects such as volcanoes and the weather.
www.techniquest-newi.org

Chester Zoo
This zoo is famous for its large enclosures set in 110 acres of award winning gardens. With over 7000 animals and 500 species, the whole family will enjoy a day out here.
www.chesterzoo.org

Dewa Roman Experience - Chester
Deva (pronounced Dewa in Roman times) is the Roman fortress built almost 2000 years ago beneath the hustle and bustle of modern day Chester. You can visit the site and experience some of the sights, sounds and smells of life inside the Roman fortress. There’s also an interesting archaeological dig and museum.
www.dewaromanexperience.co.uk

Recommended places to eat:

Celtic Royal Hotel - Caernarfon
www.celtic-royal.co.uk

Ffestiniog Railway
www.festrail.co.uk

Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw Arts Centre - Llanbedrog
www.oriel.org.uk

The Bull Hotel - Llangefni
www.welsh-historic-inns.com

Recommended places to stay:

Celtic Royal Hotel - Caernarfon
Here they have comfortable family rooms and good leisure facilities.
www.celtic-royal.co.uk

Useful contacts:

North Wales Tourist Information - www.gonorthwales.co.uk

Llandudno Tourist Information - www.visitllandudno.org.uk

Rhyl and Prestatyn Tourist Information - www.rhyl-prestatyn.co.uk

Conway Bay Tourist Information - www.visitcolwynbay.org.uk

Anglesey Tourist Information - www.visitanglesey.com

Chester - www.visitchester.com

Attractions of Snowdonia - www.star-attractions.co.uk

Ten Top Attractions in North Wales - www.tentop.co.uk

Galeri Creative Enterprise Centre - www.galericaernarfon.com

email: info@gowithkids.com