Local Attractions
Portmeirion
Clough Williams-Ellis built Portmeirion from 1925 to 1975 on his own private peninsula on the coast of Snowdonia in Wales. He wanted to show that 'the development of a naturally beautiful site need not lead to its defilement'. His lifelong concern was with Architecture, Landscape Design, the protection of Rural Wales and Conservation generally, and he strove at Portmeirion to give his ideas physical expression. He fought for Beauty - "that strange necessity".
Portmeirion is owned by a Registered Charity called The Second Portmeirion Foundation. All the cottages in the village are let as part of the Portmeirion Hotel and the village also has several shops and restaurants and is surrounded by the Gwyllt sub-tropical gardens and woodlands and miles of sandy beaches.
Portmeirion is open all year round for both staying guests and day visitors alike. I hope we may have the pleasure of welcoming you.
Ffestiniog Railway
Welcome to the world-famous Ffestiniog Railway. Our unique steam-hauled narrowgauge trains run along a 1316 mile main line in miniature from the coastline at Porthmadog into the mountains at Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Your memorable journey climbs over 700 feet through tranquil pastures and magnificent forests, past lakes and waterfalls, round horseshoe bends and even a complete spiral, sometimes clinging to the side of the mountain or tunnelling through it. Every twist and turn brings a new vista from the carriage window of the Snowdonia National Park and its surrounding landscape.
MUCH MORE THAN A TRAIN RIDE - We have a range of tickets and special events to suit all ages. Our stations offer a wide range of facilities and the trains provide a way of travelling through the National Park to many places of interest and scenic beauty without using the busy roads.
Canolfan Tryweryn
Set in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park, Canolfan Tryweryn is a purpose built facility on the banks of the River Tryweryn. Being a dam released river there is often water flowing when other British rivers are dry, thus producing a unique year round white water venue.
The Tryweryn River has been used for kayaking and canoeing since the mid-seventies and has hosted two world championships, and numerous international competitions. In 1986 the centre led the way and developed the first 'whitewater rafting' operation in the UK, this has gone on to be the largest and most respected rafting organisation in Britain.
Beaches
All along the coast you will always come across long sandy beaches, some miles long like harlech beach or Black Rock sands. If you prefere to explore there are always the coves which can be found between the beaches, Borth y Gest has many nook and crannies to keep the kids amused, so has Minfordd beach, and if the tide is out you can walk along the shoreline to Pormeirion just around the headland.
Bala
Be inspired by this beautiful haven at the gateway to Snowdonia with Llyn Tegid, the largest natural lake in Wales, as its centrepiece. Surrounded by the high peaks of Aran Benllyn, Arenig Fawr and the spectacular Berwyn mountains, this area encompasses the wealth of nature shaped by generations of families dedicated to the land.
Relax on the shores of the lake or enjoy challenging the waters yourself - the choice is yours. You may choose to search out hidden treasures on foot or enjoy them at your leisure on a train journey along the shores of the lake. Penllyn is noted, not only for its natural beauty, but also for its culture.
The Welsh language, one of the oldest languages in Europe still thrives here, the language of family, friends and business as a walk along the streets of Bala will prove. The heritage of the town is a long and rich one stretching from Roman times and the statues to be seen around the town reveal its importance as a hub for religious and political activity.
Snowdon railway
Britain's only public rack and pinion mountain railway running from Llanberis to Snowdon Summit. In its four and three-quarter mile journey the train climbs over 3000ft offering spectacular views of and beyond Snowdonia when the weather is fine. A cafeteria and small gift shop are available at the Summit. The Railway was built at the end of the 19th Century, first opening to passengers on 6th April 1896.
The Railway is laid on the north-western slopes of Snowdon and climbs 3124ft in its 4 5/8 mile journey from Llanberis to Summit Station, located just 66ft below the summit of Snowdon itself. Most passenger trains consist of a locomotive and single carriage, the carriage always being uphill of the locomotive and, for safety reasons, not coupled to it.
The trains may be either steam or diesel worked, there being 5 operational steam locomotives, 4 diesel locomotives and a 3-car diesel-electric railcar set on the line. The line is single track with passing places at Hebron, Halfway and Clogwyn. Laid to a gauge of 800mm it is fitted throughout with a double bladed rack to the design patented by Dr. Abt in 1882. With the exceptions of the tracks in the Engine shed and the sidings at Llanberis, there is not one inch of level track on the Railway. The average gradient is 1:7,8 and the steepest is 1:5.5.
Great little trains of Wales
The Great Little Trains of Wales are a very special way of seeing some of the best scenery in the British Isles. All are narrow gauge steam railways and some have a history spanning well over 100 years. All of them have in common the charm of old-time steam trains with plenty of polished paintwork and brass. Built in a time less hasty than our own, most originally served to carry Welsh slate from the quarries to the sea.
However, no two are the same and they all offer a unique experience of a bygone era.The special attraction of narrow gauge railways lies in their modest size compared with the main line ones and their leisurely speed gives time to take in some of the splendid scenery
Bodnant Gardens
The garden at Bodnant is one of the finest in the world. It is situated above the River Conwy on ground sloping to the south-west and looks across the valley towards the Snowdonia range. The garden is in two parts.
The upper part around the house consists of the Terrace Gardens as well as informal lawns shaded by trees. The lower portion, known as `The Dell', is formed by the valley of the River Hiraethlyn, a tributary of the Conwy, and contains the Pinetum and Wild Garden.
In March and April masses of daffodils and other spring bulbs make a very colourful display. Pride of place amongst the shrubs is held by rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias - many of which were raised at Bodnant - which are in bloom from March until the end of June.
Dyffryn Maentwrog
Dyffryn Maentwrog has long been renowned for the beauty of its woodlands and the splendour of its scenery. The special atmosphere of the area was best summed up by Lord Lyttleton as long ago as 1756 when he said "With the woman one loves and the friend of one's heart and a good study of books one could spend an age in this vale and think it a day." There have been many influences on the Vale. About 12,000 years ago the last of the glaciers flowed from the mountains of Ffestiniog steeping the valley and creating the wide, flat valley floor. Through this gap, the river Dwyryd has been meandering and all the while eroding its banks in some places and depositing the silt in others.
From some locations it is possible to see the former beds of the river in the flood plain below. The Oak woodlands, still dominant features of the valley sides, were once valuable commercial crops, managed for the production of timber. Their main value now is their immense wildlife, amenity and scenic interest. Today, most of the deciduous woodlands are in the hands of different conservation bodies which seek to maintain them as semi-natural habitats. These woodlands form a dominant characteristic of the Vale and their qualities vary from season to season. Spring-time is announced by the arrival of the Pied Flycatcher who invigorates the glades with other homenesting birds.
In the summer as the oaks are heavy with leaf, bird-life is less obvious but the screech of the Jay can still be heard and Buzzards may circle and call, well above the tree canopy. More serenely, Dragonflies will dart to and fro along the paths whilst Butterflies such as GreenVeined White will flutter on their edges. The autumn will be marked with a defiant show of colours before the trees brace themselves for the starkness of winter.Enjoy the Vale of Maentwrog and, like the travellers of old, "appreciate the effects of its scenery and the charm of its objects" so to depart having renewed the spirit, deepened the understanding and sense of protection for this remarkable countryside.
Sygyn Copper Mine
Sygun Copper Mine is one of the wonders of Wales - a remarkable and impressive example of how our precious industrial heritage can be reclaimed, restored and transformed into an outstanding family attraction. The mine, a unique modern day reminder of 19th century methods of ore extraction and processing, is situated in the glorious Gwynant Valley - the heart of the stunning Snowdonia National Park.
This is a wonderland of spectacular mountain scenery, trees, rivers and lakes dominated by Snowdon, the highest peak in the country of the legendary red dragon.The incomparable countryside captured the imagination of movie makers, who turned the mountainside surrounding Sygun into a Chinese village in 1958 for the filming of 'The Inn of the Sixth Happiness', starring the late Ingrid Bergman. Sygun offers a rare opportunity for those with a sense of adventure and curiosity, from the young to the elderly, to discover for themselves the wonders it still shelters after being abandoned in 1903.
Our self-guided audiovisual tours allow you to explore the old workings on foot, in complete safety. There are winding tunnels and large, colourful chambers, magnificent stalactite and stalagmite formations and copper ore veins which contain traces of gold, silver and other precious metals. Each stage of the mining process is clearly explained by audio presentations in English, complemented by interpretive displays with additional languages including Welsh, French, German, Dutch, Spanish and Russian - while special lighting and sound effects contribute in providing a realistic glimpse into the past.
Stwlan Dam
An exhilarating trip to the upper dam – Stwlan awaits you. The journey from the visitor centre to the upper reservoir Stwlan, entails climbing a total of 308 metres in a mere 2 miles! In order to reach these dizzy heights you will have to navigate 12 bends, 6 of these hairpins.
You begin your journey by the side of Ffestiniog railway, which opened in 1836 to carry slate from Blaenau Ffestiniog to the port of Porthmadog for shipment around the world. Look ahead to discover the imposing peak of Moelwyn Bach, with a rock outline of a man's face known as the 'Old Man of the Moelwyns'. Onward onto Stwlan Dam, 244 metres long and 37 metres high.
The reservoir provides 2 million cubic metres of storage for the Tanagrisiau hydro electric power station at the botom of the mountain. From this point the spectacular views are described on a panoramic indicator. At this point you are some 503m above sea level.
The Lakes of North Wales
There are an abundance of lakes for you to explore. all manner of sports are available, fishing, diving, canoeing, boating to name but a few. Or just relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of some of the more remote lakes.
Waterfalls
We have so many spectacular waterfalls to visit in and around our area, all with truly glorious walks and views that will surely take your breath away.
Adventure Mountain
Quad Biking in North Wales
.. and Ewe-phoria Sheepdog Centre
On Adventure Mountain in North Wales it's not just the views that are breathtaking ...
- The thrill and skill of a quad bike trek up a mountain!
- Meet the shepherd and his sheepdog!
There's more to discover on Adventure Mountain, so browse the website to see what you might find ...
Bring the family for an adrenaline-fuelled day-out on Adventure Mountain. This exciting new tourist attraction is located between Betws-y-Coed and Llangollen in North Wales.
Mountain zoo, Colwyn bay
We are set in a lovely location here on the North Wales Coast, the zoo it set within a large wooded estate with great facilities for all the family such as our Cafe Safari and 'Tarzan Trail' Adventure playground.
For the more technically inclined there is our new media centre where you can do a virtual tour of the zoo and play some great educational computer games.
The Welsh Mountain Zoo is part of the Zoological Society of Wales, a non-profit making organisation. Its aim is to inform and educate about wildlife and conservation.
The Zoo is set in 37 acres of woodland and beautiful gardens, overlooking the coastline and mountains of North Wales. The Zoo represents a unique living resource to stimulate pupils and students of all ages. The Zoo offers a first class FREE education service.
Sea zoo Anglesey
The Anglesey Sea Zoo is Wales’ largest marine aquarium, nestling on the shores of the Menai Strait. With over 50 displays, the Sea Zoo has re-created the habitats of the fauna and flora found around Anglesey and the North Wales coastline. From the intricacy and complexity of the invertebrates in the Bone Free Zone, your journey takes you through a shipwreck, a walk over the shark and ray pool and then on to the wonders of the Open Ocean.
Our Underwater camera gives you a fish’s eye view of the Fish Forest looking out as well as members of your family looking in! We aim to provide an exciting yet educational visit, incorporating our conservation efforts to preserve our local marine environment. Tropical displays include piranhas and seahorses amongst others. The Zoo staff play an active role in the conservation of seahorses worldwide and participate in TAG meetings and Project Seahorse. Supervised free touch pools are available during school holidays with knowledgeable staff on hand for questions. They are always happy to give information about the local area and the creatures to be found on our beaches.
Llechwedd
In the Llechwedd Slate Caverns - Wales - former miners take visitors underground into the slate quarry to tell them about the often horrible working conditions endured by their Victorian predecessors. Two very different tours are on offer at the heart of this still-active quarry.
The "Miners’ Tramway" is a guided tour along a route which dates back to 1846, through impressive caverns where mining techniques are explained. To reach the "Deep Mine", visitors travel on the steepest funicular railway in Great Britain. There, 10 son et lumière tableaux depict the social life of a slate miner and his family. The commentary is available in several languages.
This underground exploration is completed at the surface by a Victorian village with a forge, a pub (the Miners’ Arms) where typical miner’s food is served, Victorian shops, a prison, a bank where visitors can withdraw Victorian coins to spend in the village shops, printing workshops, a cobbler’s, houses, and exhibitions. There is also a museum of industrial railway vehicles, and the restored cottage of a famous blind musician who lived and died here.
Llechwedd Slate Caverns is both an instructive and pleasant experience for your pupils. The visit will give them a better understanding of industry, the environment and community life.Try to include a journey to Porthmadog on the "Ffestiniog Railway", a narrow-gauge railway with old steam trains which are still in service and which lead from Llechwedd to the port where the slate was loaded onto ships. It is possible to buy a joint ticket for the train and the mine. Ask the Education Officer for information when you make your reservation.An experience like this will strengthen pupils’ and teachers' perception of the links between industry and the means of transport used to despatch the slate.
To date, Llechwedd has won ALL the major awards.
Coed y Brenin
Coed Y Brenin can rightly boast some of the best mountain biking to be found anywhere. From beautiful river valleys to wild hilltops, forest roads to brilliant track descents Coed Y Brenin has something to offer mountain bikers of all abilities. All the trails start and finish from the visitor centre where there is ample parking, a cafe, toilets and a shop.
Some of the routes are: The Expert Route which has some very demanding climbs and some technical, rocky 'single track' descents. Experienced riders only. The Sport Route is mostly on well-drained forest roads with a few sections needing technical skills. Not suitable for novices. The Fun Route is suitable for novices, but not for children under 10 years old.
There are 2 short cuts for the weary, which will reduce the time taken to ¾ hour and 1 hour respectively. You can also hire mountain bikes at the Visitor Centre from 'Beics Coed Y Brenin'.
Castles
Caernarvon is architecturally one of the most impressive of all of the castles in Wales. It's defensive capabilities were not as overt or as powerful as those of Edward I's other castles such as Harlech and Beaumaris (which indicate the pinnacle of castle building and defenses in Britain), but Caernarvon was instead intended as a seat of power - and as a symbol of English dominance over the subdued Welsh.
Words cannot do justice to Conwy Castle. The best, simple description is found in the guidebook published by CADW, the Welsh Historic Trust, which states: "Conwy is by any standards one of the great fortresses of medieval Europe." Conwy along with Harlech is probably the most impressive of all the Welsh castles. Both were designed by Edward I's master castle builder James of St. George, and while Harlech has a more storied past, Conwy's eight massive towers and high curtain wall are more impressive than those at Harlech.
These are just two of the magnificent castles that dominate the landscape in and around North Wales, Beumaris, Harlech, Dolbadarn and Dolwyddelan are also worth a visit.