Other Attractions in North Wales

Snowdonia National Park

Snowdonia National Park (in Welsh – “Eryri” which translated means the place of eagles) is an area of outstanding natural beauty that covers 838 square miles.  The highest peak in the area is Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) which is 3,560ft (1085m) high (the highest mountain in England and Wales).  A number of well established walking routes allow access to its summit.  There is also a rack and pinion railway that begins its journey in Llanberis and snakes its way through the foothills to the summit.  There are a number of other spectacular peaks in the area that exceed 3,000ft including Carnedd Dafydd, Carnedd Llewelyn, Castell y Gwynt, Crib Goch, Crib y Ddysgl,  Elidir Fawr, Foel Grach, Foel-fras, Garnedd Uchaf,  Glyder Fach, Glyder Fawr, Pen yr Ole Wen, Tryfan, Y Garn and Yr Elen.

Lakes and Rivers

North Wales has many beautiful lakes and rivers, including Llyn Tegid, near Bala, which is the largest natural lake in Wales.  Other lakes include Llyn Ogwen at the foot of Tryfan, Llyn Llydaw, near Snowdon (the legendary home of King Arthur’s “Lady of the Lake”), Llyn Padarn and Llyn Peris, near Llanberis, Llyn Elsi above Betws y Coed and many reservoirs including Llyn Cowlyd, Llyn Celyn (aka. Tryweryn), Lake Vyrnwy and Marchlyn Mawr.

Rivers wind their way through the landscape to the coast where they become estuaries (aber).  Coastal towns named after these rivers include Abermaw (Barmouth), Abergele, Abersoch, Aberdyfi and Aberdaron. The River Dee is one of the most significant rivers in North Wales, but many others flow through the landscape, including the Tanat, Vyrnwy, Ceiriog, Alun, Alwen, Clwyd, Clywedog, Conwy and Ogwen.  Spectacular waterfalls can be seen at Aber Falls, Pistyll Rhaeadr, Swallow Falls, Dolgoch Falls and Conwy Falls.

Castles

North Wales is steeped in history and is populated by great castles from medieval strongholds to 19th century stately homes.  Some castles were built as early as the 11th century, but earlier fortifications and earthworks date back to the Iron Age.   Some of the most impressive castles in North Wales include Caernarfon (13th Century), Chirk (13th Century), Powis (12th – 19th Century), Conwy (13th Century), Harlech (13th Century), Criccieth (13th Century), Beaumaris (13th Century) and Penrhyn (19th Century).

Many other historic sites can be visited within the region, including prehistoric, Roman, religious and industrial sites.

The Coast

On a sunny day, the beaches of North Wales are hard to beat.  Some of the best beaches in North Wales include Harlech, Barmouth, Black Rock, Abersoch, Nefyn and Llandudno.  Other places of interest along the coast include the South Stack lighthouse near Holyhead, Porthdinllaen, near Nefyn, Bardsey Island, the Menai Straits and Sir Clough Williams-Ellis’s Italianate village, Portmeirion.

All of these locations are a convenient distance from Llangollen and no more than 2 hours drive from the town, making a stay at Scotch Hall or The Beeches, the perfect base for exploring North Wales.