Jenny Schippers and family cross the border for a packed weekend of Welsh wonders.
Escaping to the wild coastline and towering mountains of Snowdonia (Eyri) is a regular pilgrimage for many from Cheshire. The undulating landscapes, wide open beaches, and mining heritage of this vast National Park, Wales’s largest, covers 823 square miles of diverse and ever-changing vistas. From the mighty medieval fortresses at Caernarfon and Conwy – both UNESCO World Heritage Sites – to its internationally recognised Dark Sky Reserve, this area of North Wales has a magnetic pull for families and adventure seekers alike.
Those searching for inspiration away from the popular holiday resorts and well-trodden walking routes across Eyri and the Llyn Peninsula should consider visiting the Snowdonia360 website when planning a trip. This handy online resource suggests unique and authentic experiences along its winding 364-mile circular route, including independent accommodation options, eateries, attractions, and historical sights. Whether following a self-drive itinerary or building a bespoke journey, it couldn’t be easier to plan and create a suitable route to please all ages, abilities, and interests.
Friday
After an easy and picturesque journey along the A55, Bodnant Welsh Food is just a short drive inland on the A470 towards Betws-y-Coed close to the National Trust-managed Bodnant Garden. Situated in the heart of the Conwy Valley, with spectacular river views, Bodnant Welsh Food is a family-run farm shop, cafe, and restaurant, with B&B holiday accommodation. Championing Welsh produce, this authentic stone-built farm shop is brimming with fresh fruit, vegetables, homemade artisan bread, and locally sourced meat together with an on-site cookery school and various dining options. The Furnace is the perfect breakfast and lunchtime spot for overnight guests and visitors, and The Coffee Bar & Bakery is open daily serving homemade cakes. The family-friendly Hayloft Bar & Grill opens Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, serving exceptional dishes with seasonal produce and a children’s menu.
Leaving Bodnant Welsh Food with full stomachs, the 30-minute drive onwards journeys deep into Eyri, through the delightful market town of Llanwrst, site of the famous ivy-clad tearoom, towards Betws-y-Coed, the Gateway to Snowdonia. If time allows, thrill-seekers can partake in the treetop activities at Zipworld Fforest, surf the waves at Adventure Parc Snowdonia, or enjoy an easy amble to the magnificent Swallow Falls.
From late March, visitors can join the Ffestiniog Railway, the world’s oldest narrow gauge railway, at the nearby slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. Now the UNESCO
Slate Landscape of North Wales World Heritage Site, this status recognises the striking landscape and the transformation slate quarrying and mining had on the area from the 1780s to the early 20th century.
Sitting a stone’s throw from the disused Llechwedd quarry with its deep mine tours, under and overground zip lining, and subterranean bouncing nets, Plas Weunydd offers guests a warm and welcoming place to stay. Awarded the prestigious Sunday Times Best Hotel in Wales and one of the 100 Best Hotels in the UK in 2021, Plas Weunydd is a family-friendly boutique hotel comprising 24 stylish rooms, a bar and restaurant, alongside glamping tents and luxury shepherd’s huts designed for a romantic getaway. With spacious, individually styled bedrooms, including family rooms, it is a sumptuous base to explore the striking slate landscape and all the adrenalin-pumping opportunities nearby
Saturday
Following a comfortable night’s sleep, tuck into a hearty Welsh breakfast before continuing onwards towards the coastal villages of the Llyn Peninsula. Visit the quirky Italianate village at Portmeirion or enjoy the novel experience of driving onto the beach at Morfa Bychan (Black Rock Sands) before exploring Criccieth Castle standing proud on a rocky peninsula guarding Tremadog Bay. After a morning of outdoor adventure, stop for lunch at the art deco-styled Dylan’s restaurant at Criccieth before heading north on the A499 towards Glasfryn Parc. A popular place for those with and without children, and only a short drive from the seaside towns of Abersoch and Pwllheli, Glasfryn Parc offers go-karting, crazy golf, ten-pin bowling, archery, water sports, and clay pigeon shooting. From here, the pristine beaches of Caernarfon Bay are just a short drive away, presenting breathtaking views across to the island of Anglesey.
The beautiful beach walk along Morfa Nefyn beach to the famous Ty Coch Inn is a must, before dinner at the nearby Woodlands Hall Hotel at Edern. This friendly, locally owned hotel with a family restaurant and adjacent indoor soft play is the ideal place to burn off the final throws of energy. Children are well catered for with a full menu, while adults will appreciate the traditional home-cooked dishes and the chance to relax on the newly sited slate terrace – ideal for those with dogs in tow. Before the sun sets, take the hair-raising descent down to the former quarry settlement at Nant Gwrtheyrn for a truly unique overnight stay. Once a thriving granite quarry employing a workforce of 2,000, a five-million-pound renovation grant transformed this abandoned site between 2007-2010 into the National Welsh Language and Heritage Centre offering 4* B&B and self-catering accommodation in the lovingly restored quarrymen’s cottages.
Sunday
Nant Gwrtheyrn is the ideal accommodation choice for those looking to switch off from the outside world and reconnect with the wild landscapes of North Wales. Wake to the gentle sound of sea birds before making the short walk to Caffi Meinir where breakfast is taken overlooking the spectacular Porth y Nant bay. Together with its glass-fronted café, gift shop, and event space, the site also welcomes students keen to learn and improve their Welsh language skills as well as those interested in the history of this fascinating village. Overnight and day visitors can learn more at the heritage centre, sited inside the former chapel, before continuing along the coast towards Conwy, to complete the final leg of this Snowdonia360 circular route.
Take a short detour to the Inigo Jones Slate Works along the way, located inland from Caernarfon. This fully-operational slate workshop feels like a step back in time – visitors can take a self-guided audio tour, learning more about the slate industry and the integral role it has played in shaping the heritage and landscape of North Wales. Children will enjoy the calligraphy class in the old classroom and the opportunity to chisel their designs into slate to take home, before journeying 45 minutes to spend the afternoon at the Welsh Mountain Zoo. Located in an elevated position overlooking Rhos Bay, with incredible views across the Irish Sea, the zoo has an impressive number of exotic animals to spot, including sea lions, penguins, flamingos, chimpanzees, meerkats, and reptiles. There's also an excellent adventure playground.
Finish the weekend with a stroll along the wooden pier in the Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno, just a short 10-minute drive away. Pick up an ice cream before walking along the UK’s fifth longest pier, stop to play the traditional arcade games, or simply sit back and watch the world go by on one of the many benches. As the sunsets on the pastel houses along the promenade, it feels like the perfect end point to celebrate a successful weekend of adventures travelling along the Snowdonia360.
Jenny says: While I have spent many years staring out across the Menai Strait from Anglesey to the jutting Llyn Peninsula and mountains of Eyri, I knew very little about this area of North Wales until our weekend exploring the region. We followed a gentle and very manageable circular section of the Snowdonia360 incorporating plenty of beach time and family-friendly attractions along the way. With a rich and deep-rooted heritage, awe-inspiring and diverse scenery, and incredible foodie hotspots, we will endeavour to spend much more time discovering this beautiful area in the future.
With thanks to Attractions of Snowdonia (AoS) for arranging this family-friendly Snowdonia360 weekend itinerary. This not-for-profit company is wholly owned by its 26 members which include leading visitor attractions within the counties of Anglesey, Conwy, and Gwynedd. In March 2020, AoS launched the Snowdonia360 – a new and sustainable way to experience North Wales. More than ‘just a route’ the Snowdonia360 is a circular 364-mile tourist route incorporating ‘every element a visitor may want, to create a unique holiday experience’.
Snodwonia360.com
