A bracing walk on the 3 miles beach at Pwllheli is always a favourite as dogs are welcome.

Or walk along Nefyn beach and warm up at the delightful Ty Coch Inn on the beach.

TRAINS

Welsh Highland Heritage Railway
Tremadog Road,
Porthmadog, Gwynedd
LL49 9DY
Telephone: 01766 513402
www.whr.co.uk

Welsh Highland Railway
Lovers of historical steam trains and mountains views will really enjoy the Welsh Highland Railway. With steam trains from the Victorian and Edwardian period you will need to take your camera.

We recommend Yr Hen Fecws Bistro 16 Lombard Street, Porthmadog LL49 9AP Telephone: 01766 514625 www.henfecws.com for lunch, tea or dinner.

Snowdon Mountain Railway
Lamberis, LL55 4TY
Telephone: 0844 4938120
www.snowdonrailway.co.uk

The train is subject to weather conditions, so ring ahead to avoid disappointment.

This steam railway will take you to the top of Snowdon the highest Mountain in England and Wales. There is an award winning café at the top of Snowdon, which is licensed. Remember to take a jumper as it can get cold due to the wind.

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CASTLES

Harlech Castle
Castle Square
Harlech, LL46 2YH
Telephone: 01766 780552
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Harlech Castle has truly spectacular views of Snowdonia and will make you feel like an eagle. At one time the sea came right up to the Castle walls. Master James’s Castle for Edward I is one of the most formidable and commands a spectacular position. Remember to take your camera.

Portmerion
Nr Porthmdog,
Gwynedd, LL48 6ER
Telephone: 01766 772311
www.portmerion-village.com

Opening hours: Open all year, 9.30 – 19.30
Entry is half price after 3.30pm.

Portmeirion has it all. The charming yet quirky Italian style village built by Sir John Clough was the set for the Prisoner filmed in 1967. There are plenty of shops and cafes to suit all tastes, open late during school holidays.

We recommend a walk in the Gwyllt ( the woodlands in Portmeirion) for the views towards Borth-y-Gest, and playing on the sands. But please be careful on the sands when the tide is coming in. You can have lunch, tea, dinner or a drink at the world famous hotel. Booking ahead is recommended.

Criccieth Castle
Telephone: 01766522227
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
Criccieth Castle was originally a strong hold of the Native Welsh Princes.
The Castle stands on an imposing rocky peninsula towards Black Rock Sands and the Llyn. Wales’s dragon flag flies from the two towers.

We recommend taking your children to Cadwalader’s ice cream café
(Telephone: 01766 522478) just down from the Castle.

Caernarfon Castle
Castle Ditch,
Caernarfon, LL55 2AY.
Telephone: 01286 677617
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Majestic Caernarfon Castle was built by Edward I and is where the Prince of Wales is crowned. Its massive battlements and towers above the walled town, arguably make Caernarfon the most important of all the Welsh Castles. Look out for the boiling oil or arrows!

The city has a range of pubs and restaurants.

Beaumaris Castle
Beaumaris, Anglesy, LL58 8AP
Telephone: 01248 810361
www.cadw.wales.gov

Beaumaris is the great unfinished castle with a moat with water and swans. The castle presents wonderful views of the Gwynedd countryside and has a commanding entrance gate.

The gracious town has many decent restaurants and pubs.

Conway Castle
Conway, LL32 8AY
Telephone: 01492 592358
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Impressive Conway Castle was built on a solid rock by Edward I in just four years and stands next to the harbour. The Castle battlements provide stunning views of the Snowdonia Mountains and sea. Owen Glyndwr took the castle after hiding under firewood that was being taken into the castle. For great views be sure to walk around the city medieval walls.

Plas Mawr (Wynn Palace)
High Street
Conway LL32 8DE
Telephone: 01492 580167
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Plas Mawr, was built for Robert Wynn, an Ambassador and Merchant in the reign of Elizabeth I. The Tudor’s being Welsh brought new prosperity to North Wales. The plaster and woodwork is very fine and will transport you back to a time of gracious living.

Penrhyn Castle
National Trust
Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 4HN
Telephone: 01248 353084
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

A grand Victorian castle where Queen Victoria slept in a huge slate bed.
Penrhyn has an impressive collection of old master pictures and has been called the National Gallery of North Wales. The servants’ quarters “ below stairs” have been brought back to life.

There is a large playground, tea room and shop. A great day out whatever the weather.

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MUSEUMS

The David Lloyd-George Museum
Llanystumdwy, Nr Criccieth,
LL52 OSH
Telephone: 01766 522071
www.gwynedd.gov.uk/museums

Admission charge.

David Lloyd-George was the Liberal Prime-Minister throughout the First World War and brought in both the Pensions and Unemployment benefits. Before the war he introduced the “People’s Budget” and was then Minister for Munitions getting shells to the troops. Discover his childhood home (shoemaker’s cottage) and see a unique collection of memorabilia.

We recommend a walk along the river Dwyfor to see Lloyd-George’s grave and the outstanding natural beauty.

Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery
Ffordd Gwynedd, Bangor,
Gwynedd, LL57 1DT
Telephone: 01248 353368
www.gwynedd.gov.uk/museums

Free admission

Exciting art from both local and international artists, you can discover Gwynedd’s past through the folk museum. The gallery sells jewellery and handmade craft items.

Oriel Plas Glyn-Y-Weddw Art Gallery
Llanbedrog, Pwllheli,
Gwynedd, LL53 7TT
Telephone: 01758 740763

Free admission

Opening hours
10-5pm daily. Closed Tuesday,
except school holidays. Limited opening during January.

An impressive Gothic Manor House built in 1857 as a Dower house for Lady Love Jones Parry, which is now a successful modern art gallery. The gallery has an impressive staircase and the ghost of Lady Love has been seen walking the upper landings. You can buy local pictures or pottery.

Both Rolf Harris and Sir Kyffin Williams RA have supported the gallery. The Gallery has a restaurant in a large summerhouse, which provides lunch and teas. On sunny days there is a park with tables to eat out and space for children to play. The
stunning views of Cardigan Bay are memorable. For the more energetic, a walk up to visit the Tin Man Sculpture on the headland will be rewarded with breathtaking views.

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OTHER ATTRACTIONS

Bardsey Island (Ynys Enlli)

Day trips: 07971 769895 (Colin Evans)
www.bardsey.org

If there’s one day trip that we encourage it’s the one to Ynys Enlli. Due to the strong currents however the small ferry often has to be cancelled.

In the old days, two pilgrimages to Bardsey counted as one to Rome. Today the remains of Saint Mary’s Abbey and Well transports you back to an ancient time.
Ynys Enlli is a haven of wild life and has an important bird observatory. It is renowned for birds like the Manx shearwater and red-billed chough.

Enlli or Bardsey has been featured on the BBC’s Coast and Countryfile, due to its natural beauty. You can also see grey seals basking in the sun, but please be careful when swimming as the currents are very powerful. For a spiritual, cultural and natural experience, Bardsey will remain with you for the rest of your life.

Bodnant Garden
National Trust
Tal-y—Cafn
Nr Conway Bay
LL28 5RE
Telephone: 01492 650460
www.bodnanat-garden.co.uk

A must see for any serious garden lover, eighty acres of magnificent gardens. In March/April Daffodils, Camellias and Magnolias, April/May Rhododendrons and Azaleas, Mid-May to Mid-June the famous original Laburnum Arch, in the summer Herbaceous borders, Roses, Hydrangeas, Water Lilies and Climbers and the Autumn the Trees changing colour.

The National Trust has created enough space for parking. You can buy plants and have tea.

Trefriw Woolen Mills
Main Road, Trefrim,
Conway Valley. LL27 ONQ
Telephone: 01492 640462
E-mail: info@t-w-m.co.uk
www.t-w-m.co.uk

Welsh wool is famous around the world for its quality and warmth. The Mill manufactures bedspreads, throws and tweeds from local wool. Weaving and the hydro-electric turbine (very ecological) can be viewed. A warm Welsh welcome is guaranteed.

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PLACES TO EAT

Other excellent places to eat.
Enjoy a warm welcome & great food at community owned Tafarn y Fic (2 miles) 01758 750473 Y Daflod restaurant, open Thursday Friday and Saturday.

Feel like treating yourself? Plas Bodegroes offers fantastic food in the most gorgeous Georgian art filled house. www.bodegroes.co.uk / 01758 612363

Criccieth has a selction of good restaurants, Poachers 01766 522512 www.poachersrestaurant.co.uk and Tir a Mor 01766 523084 www.tiramor-criccieth.co.uk being favourites.

Visit the award winning Spar supermarket in Pwlhelli, no ordinary Spar!
And remember our very own award winning farm shop on the doorstep at Glasfryn Parc.

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