Have you ever wanted to Explore North Wales, an area of Wales filled with immerse Natural Beauty? North Wales is a region of Wales is full of thrilling mountain views and gorgeous beaches. This region has an abundance of ancient culture and heritage wherever you turn. North Wales is filled with castles, impressive scenery and is home to Snowdonia Parks.
Our journey to started on a Friday evening from Oxford, it was a 5.5 hour drive to Snowdonia. However it is 2.5 hours away from London and about an hour from Liverpool Airport. Thanks to Ganolfan who invited us for a weekend stay we decided to Explore North Wales.
Explore North Wales, A Weekend Getaway
I am a sucker for a good weekend getaway and this trip to North Wales was no different. Though the drive to our accommodation for the weekend was long, it was worth the journey. Being a spontaneous traveller, I almost always plan my adventures the night before. I also prefer being flexible so that I am able to change plans at a moment’s notice.
Without much of a plan, I searched on Pinterest for ways to Explore North Wales over the weekend. The search yielded incredible results and the following points of interest are those that we explored. The decision to Explore North Wales was an easy one, we were greeted with such impressive views.
Caernarfon Castle
Caernarfon Castle, is a medieval fortress in Caernarfon a royal town in Gwynedd. The castle was created by King Edward I it is an impressive and masculine building with Polygonal towers. Carnarvon Castle is over 1,000 years old and is protected by UNESCO under “Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd”.
Penrhyn Castle
Penrhyn Castle is a National Trust Property and Norma Castle located in Bangor, North Wales. The property is famous for the spiral staircase, the walled garden and impressive woodlands. Penrhyn Castle is a 19th-century fantasy castle with spectacular views of Snowdonia and the North Wales coast.
Portmeirion
Sir Clough Williams-Ellis is the visionary, designer and Welsh architect who built the Italian village of Portmeirion in North Wales. It took over 50 years (1925 to 1976) to build this exquisite Italian looking village on a naturally beautiful site. Today, Portmeirion in North Wales, attractions over 200,000 visitors a year and offers complimentary guided tours.
Bangor
Bangor is considered the smallest city in the UK and is a university town on the Welsh coast. There isn’t much to do in Bangor but it has impressive pier overlooking the sea. The focal point of the city is the 6th Century cathedral with attractive architecture. And though Bangor is small, it is one of the six places to be considered a city in Wales.
Llanrwst
Llanrwst is a historic market town in the Conwy Valley and is located between Betws-y-Coed and Llandudno. Llanrwst makes for an ideal place to stay whilst visiting Snowdonia which lies on the other side of the river Conwy. Our main reason for visiting was the Tu Hwnt i’r Bont, a beautifully restored 15th-century house now operated as a tea room.
Conwy
Conwy or Conway is a walled market town and a World Heritage site with an imposing thirteenth-century castle. The medieval town is worth a visit situated in the lush Welsh countryside and beaconing Snowdonia mountains. The quaint town of Conwy offers a whole host of fine dining restaurants, traditional pubs and snug cafes.
Dinas Dinlle
Dinas Dinlle is a popular beach with a large sand and pebble beach with views towards the Llyn Peninsula and Llanddwyn Island on Anglesey. The area is a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’ for its valuable natural habitats. And the the land is protected by the RSPB as a Local Nature Reserve to encourage lapwings breeding.
Others places that we only got a glimpse of include Porthmadog a busy harbour town near Portmeirion and Harlech. Another was Llanbedrog Beach a long stretch of sandy coast with colourful beach huts and shallow water.
Our weekend getaway to Explore North Wales was a success even though we barely scratched the surface. North Wales like other areas is Wales is filled with an ambulance of Natural Beauty. We highly recommend you take a stab at Wales and see its glorious wonders.
Elizabeth says
That castle in Conway looks like something straight out of a fairy tale! I’ve only ever been to Wales once (Fishguard) but I’d love to return and explore more of the area.
Sarah Ann says
I’ve never been to Wales but I would love to visit, it looks naturally beautiful. And being the history geek that I am, I love exploring castles!
Eva Katona says
I have never been to this part of Wales, it looks so beautiful!
Bella and Dawn at Dear Mummy Blog says
We’ve only ever been to South Wales but must visit this area as we love castles! So many of them to explore!
Michelle Twin Mum says
Wow, it looks like North Wales has so much to offer. We looking for somewhere new to explore in May. Mich X
Rebecca | AAUBlog says
I’ve only ever been to south wales before so this is a fab post for me – so many great places to visit
Olivia Jade says
Oh wow, these are some amazing pictures you’ve taken! I live quite close to Wales but I haven’t been in years, it’s such a gem. Llanrwst looks lovely!
Treasure Every Moment says
Oh wow so many beautiful places to visit! We went to Anglesey a few years ago and fell in love with the area – so beautiful 🙂
Siobhan | The Baby Boat Diaries says
I have never paid North Wales a visit! I will certainly be considering it after seeing these pictures and reading about the lovely places to go! xx
Lisa says
Looks lovely. We went to Wales last year but during a storm with severe weather warnings so we weren’t able to explore much. Would love to go again x
Laura Dove says
We love north Wales! It’s not actually that far from us so we’ve had some great holidays there and days out too. The castles in Wales are fab!
Claire Justine says
What a beautiful place to visit. I would love to take a walk around here now with my camera 🙂 Lovely photos.
Musings of a tired mummy...zzz... says
We went to Wales on holiday this year but stayed mid and south so missed out on the north! Perfect excuse to go back 🙂
Hannah Rudd says
I really enjoyed this post and finding out more about North Wales! Your photographs are stunning and it sounds like you had an amazing weekend away – this is definitely somewhere I’ll have to schedule in at some point 🙂
Bec Jones says
I love portmerion and we go as often as we can. North wales on the coast is an easy day trip for us from manchester. I’m nowhere near visiting all the castles around North wales. More trips next year required.
Melanie williams says
Not been Wales for years. However, looks like we are missing out – we need to visit xx
Kara says
I love visiting castles and looks like you have been spoilt for choice. I would love to visit them all but Llanrwst is my fave
Hannah Wood says
We love Wales as a family but not been in some time need to get back as so many amazing places to visit.
scots2travel says
Certainly not short of castles, reminds me of home! And I love Portmeirion, is that the base famous for ceramics. Would love to take the boys to Wales as they’ve never visited, and I only visited a good friend in Aberystwyth once, so I feel I’ve barely scratched the surface.
Miranda says
I am not sure about ceramics but Portmeirion is an amazing Italian inspired village. I too have visited Aberystwyth and it was gorgeous
Anne Fraser says
I went to University in Bangor and I love North Wales.
Anosa says
I have fallen in love with North Wales and Bangor pier gave me life