Things to do in north Wales

Royal fortress-palace built on legends and bitter medieval conflict

Caernarfon Castle is recognised around the world as one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages.

This fortress-palace on the banks of the River Seiont is grouped with Edward I’s other castles at Conwy, Beaumaris and Harlech as a World Heritage Site. But for sheer scale and architectural drama Caernarfon stands alone.

Situated in the popular village seaside resort on the Lleyn Peninsula, Abersoch Lifeboat Station has operated for just over 100 years. The current B class Atlantic 85 lifeboat launches to a variety of both commercial and leisure craft call outs.

The Welsh Highland Railway is train travel as it used to be. Starting from beneath the castle walls in historic Caernarfon, the railway climbs to the foot of Snowdon before dropping again to sea level at the harbour in Porthmadog.

The Ty Coch Inn is arguably the best pub in Wales and OFFICIALLY in the top ten beach bars in the world... according to a recent survey.

It is situated in the village of Porthdinllaen near Morfa Nefyn, Gwynedd, on the north coast of the Lleyn peninsula.

With views across the Irish Sea to The Rivals and a sandy beach on its doorstep what better way to while away the hours.

The Ffestiniog Railway is the world’s oldest narrow gauge railway with almost 200 years of history, taking you on a 13½-mile journey from the harbour in Porthmadog to the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Our historic trains climb over 700 feet from sea level into the mountains through tranquil pastures and magnificent forests, past lakes and waterfalls, round tight bends (even a complete spiral) clinging to the side of the mountain or tunnelling through it.

It addition to its architectural heritage, its stunning setting and sub-tropical gardens, Portmeirion has two stylish hotels, a cluster of self-catering cottages, shops, a spa, cafes and restaurants and an authentic Italian style gelateria.

Buried deep under the mountains of Snowdonia lies an extraordinary story: a rock revolution that shaped the look and feel of the world as we know it. A way of life which built communities and defined generations of families in North Wales.