CAERNARFON
- The ancient capital of Wales and the centre of Welsh language and culture. A superb setting with fine views of both the mountains of Snowdonia and the Menai Strait. A pretty quayside where the river Seiont flows past the magnificent and famous Caernarfon Castle. The medieval walled town, with its maze of little streets, houses many shops, pubs and restaurants.
ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE
- The Castle. Regarded as one of the finest medieval fortresses in Europe: high walls and towers; interesting displays; Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum.
- Segontium Roman Fort and Museum. The most westerly outpost of the Roman Legions.
- Quayside Victoria docks cruises, sea fishing, sailing.
- Air Museum with pleasure flights to view castles, coastline and Snowdonia.
- Golf visitors are welcome at Caernarfon Golf club which is in a superb location.
- Mountain bike hire.
- RAF Llandwrog, home of the RAF mountain rescue service
- Leisure Centre with excellent children and adult swimming pools, tennis, squash, badminton.
- Yr Hwylfan - fun for the inner child.
- Galeri - bringing the arts back to Caernarfon.
WITHIN SEVEN MILES OF THE PARK
- Wide variety of walks - riverside, forests and mountains.
- Pony trekking and horse riding.
- Fresh water fishing.
- Plas Menai - the Welsh National Watersports Centre.
- Y Felinheli (Port Dinorwic) harbour marina, fine views across Strait to Anglesey.
- Parc Glynllifon - historic gardens and woodlands; 18th century fort.
- Dinas Dinlle beach - extensive with fine views and excellent swimming.
- Inigo Jones Tudor Slateworks.
- Local Indoor Climbing Wall, for when the weather lets you down.
- The Vaynol Estate (Y Faenol Cyf), home of the world-famous Bryn Terfel Faenol Festival and other spectacular events, like the 2005 National Eisteddfod.
- Greenwood Forest Park: forest adventure and exploration.
LLANBERIS
- Padarn Lake and Country Park - Llanberis Lake Railway.
- National Slate Museum - exhibitions of quarry work; woodland walks; lakeside walks; picnic areas.
- Merlin Water sports and Activities Centre canoeing, windsurfing, sailing, orienteering, climbing and abseiling with qualified instructors.
- Snowdon Mountain Railway - a superb journey with breathtaking views to the highest summit in England and Wales.
- Dolbadarn Castle - ruined stronghold of Llywelyn the Great.
- Ceunant Mawr Waterfall.
- Potteries with activities for children.
- Dindorwig Hydroelectric Power Station - entirely underground and the largest of its kind in Europe.
- National Museum of Wales (Power of Wales) - excellent displays and exhibitions.
- Excellent shops, pubs and restaurants.
- Ropes and Ladders - an activity centre near Llyn Padarn
CROSSING THE MENAI STRAIT TO THE ISLE OF ANGLESEY
All parts of the Island are within easy reach. The attractions include:
- Fine sandy beaches, towering sea cliffs with nesting sea birds.
- Historic houses and country parks.
- Llyn Alaw fishery and bird sanctuary.
- Angora rabbit farm.
- Sea Zoo - one of the most visited attractions in North Wales.
- Butterfly and bird sanctuary.
- Potteries, cloth mill, craft centres.
- Beaumaris - most interesting and excellent 13th century castle. Victorian gaol.
- Cruises around Puffin Island to view the seals and the wide variety of sea birds.
WITHIN TWELVE MILES OF THE PARK
- Bangor - University city with its shops, theatre, ancient cathedral and Victorian Pier.
- Penrhyn Castle and Gardens - (National Trust).
- Beddgelert (Gelert's Grave) - picturesque mountain village, start of many attractive walks.
- Sygun Copper Mine - impressive and extensive 19th century copper mine with guided tours and audio presentation.
- Ogwen Valley - spectacular views, Devil's kitchen chasm, Idwal Slabs (renowned rock climbing face), Llyn Ogwen.
WITHIN TWENTY MILES OF THE PARK
- Conwy with its famous 13th century Castle and many other attractions.
- Llandudno and the Great Orne - many attractions, including the Great Orme Tramway and a Bronze Age museum.
- Ffestiniog Railway - superb run on a narrow gauge railway though spectactular scenery from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
- Portmeirion - Italianate Village - unique fairy-tale creation of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, overlooking Cardigan Bay; setting of the cult TV series "The Prisoner", and many other TV and film productions.
- Criccieth Castle - perched on a rocky penisula overlooking the sea.
- Pwllheli, with Butlin's Starcoast World providing a fun-day for all the family.
- Riverside Chocolate House and Tea Rooms.
SLIGHTLY FURTHER AFIELD
But within easy reach and visited by many people from Cwm Cadnant Valley.
- Welsh Mountain Zoo - on the hills overlooking Colwyn Bay.
- Bodnant Gardens - regarded as one of the finest gardens in the world (National Trust).
- Llechwedd Slate Caverns (Blaenau Ffestiniog) - with two award winning tours underground; reconstructed Victorian village.
- Gloddfa Ganol Slate Mine (Blaenau Ffestiniog) - spectacular underground caverns in the world's largest slate mine.
- Harlech Castle - dramatic coastal setting with excellent views.
- Betws-y-Coed - attractive village tourist centre with range of interesting shops and craft products.
- Shallow Falls - spectacular, among the five most visited tourist sites in Wales.
IN CONCLUSION
Information on all the above, and many other places of interest, can be obtained at Cwm Cadnant Valley, together with advice and ideas on both gentle walks and mountain routes for the more energetic and adventurous. The range of man-made attractions is very extensive but, in addition and all around, there is some of Europe's most impressive scenery with beautiful bays beaches and sea cliffs combining with the wild grandeur of Snowdonia. North Wales is well worth visiting, with something for everyone, and with a very attractive camping and caravan park to use as your base. There are often many one-off events happening all over the region - we have started to collate a list, but your input is always also welcomed.
Most of the links on this page link to external sites, Cwm Cadnant Valley accepts no responsibility for the content of these links, all were correct at time of going to press.
To help us help you, we would appreciate it if any broken links could be reported, we will then try and find alternatives as soon as possible. Thank you.
You can also download this and other information, in PDF format (Warning, approximately 900 kB).
