Whatever
you love to do, you'll be able to do it whilst
staying with us, or why not think about doing
something new - something you've always wanted to
try? We have listed some of the most popular
activities that our guests have said they've enjoyed
locally, but please let us know if you would like to
know about anything else that might be on our
doorstep. We will happily find out as much as we can
for you. There are endless attractions close by. Adventure activities for all the family, interesting
things to see and do, places to eat or enjoy a
coffee, hit the shops for some retail therapy, or
just sit down, take a deep breath and soak up the
truly unique landscape.
Where to
start ! This whole area is a walkers paradise. You
will find maps and walking guide books in the
chalets to suit all abilities to help make the most
of your stay. As well as the obvious draw that
Snowdon has, why not try the Anglesey Coastal Path.
The 125-mile Anglesey Coastal Path opened on 9 June
2006. The path has now been enjoyed by thousands of
nature lovers and those who love the open spaces and
sea views on coastal path walks.
What's great
about the path is that it runs along the whole coastline
and includes Holy Island in the west. (Back
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Are you ready
for the challenge? Breathtaking mountain, sea and
coastal views and courses that fully harness the
landscape. A warm welcome awaits you at the Royal Town
Of Caernarfon Golf Club, with spectacular views of the menai Staits, Anglesey and Snowdonia. For info on all
the golf courses in the area please visit
www.visitsnowdonia.info/golf (Back
to top)
The tourist
office has a brochure-map of Gwynedd recreational
cycle routes, established by Gwynedd Council along
disused railway lines. Three of these are based
around Caernarfon: the 12-mile Lôn Eifion running
south to Bryncir (starting near the Welsh Highland
Railway station); the 4.5-mile Lôn Las Menai along
the Menai Strait to the village of Y Felinheli; and
the 4-mile Lôn Gwyfrai to the village of Waunfawr
(Back to top)
Sea Kayaks
can be hired from Porth Daniel, Menai Bridge,
Anglesey for periods of 2 hours to 2 weeks. Tel
01248 717784. You can also get info on this number
about RIB rides to Puffin Island or Llanddwyn
Island.
The
excellent Plas Menai, The National Watersports
Centre, 3 miles out along the A487 towards
Bangor, offers a year-round range of water-based
courses for all interests and ability levels -
from sailing to power-boating, plus
multi-activity courses suitable for families and
youth groups. Advance reservations are
mandatory. (Back
to top)
Why not
book a ticket sailing from Holyhead to Dublin or
Dun Laoghaire. Travel either by car, cycle or on
foot. Stena Line operate the Holyhead to Dun
Laoghaire ferries, on a choice of either a fast
craft (Stena Express) or conventional ferry (Stena
Explorer).
The
crossing time from Holyhead to Dublin can be as
short as around two hours, so it’s perfect for
either a day trip or longer excursion. Stena
Line offer a ferry day trip to Dublin for those
who want to explore this fascinating and
friendly city.
www.stenaline.co.uk (Back
to top)
See the
mountains and castles of Snowdonia from the air.
Flights
from Caernarfon Airport (approx 6 miles form
your accommodation) to Puffin Island, Snowdon
and beyond.
www.caernarfonairport.co.uk (Back
to top)
Anglesey
has enormously variable natural resources of
birdlife on the island, not least because of its
many lakes, rocky shoreline, sand dunes, and
farmland. Many are resident, and others just
infrequent visitors, but if you like to spend time
bird watching, then Anglesey is ideal.
There are many raptors (birds of prey) on Anglesey,
and on any journey along the A55 dual carriageway
you are very likely to see a kestrel hovering, or a
common buzzard looking for prey - or being chased by
crows.
Ellin's
Tower - near Holyhead is a wonderful hide looking over to the South Stack
lighthouse, and out to sea. Its location makes it a
safe place to view birds nesting on the cliffs
below. Within a few hundred yards of Ty Mawr hut
circles, a 4000 year old settlement (Back
to top)
Ffestiniog
and Welsh Highland Railways. Together the Ffestiniog
and Welsh Highland Railways are the longest heritage
railway in the UK. Bikes can be taken on the trains. All trains have a buffet car to serve snacks and
drinks to your seat. Throughout the year there are a
host of special events on the railways, such as the
Halloween Trains and the Santa trains. For details
see
www.festrail.co.uk
Snowdon
Mountain Railway - the train up Snowdon tel 0844 493
8120 to book tickets in advance. (Back
to top)
Snowdonia
Riding Stables, Waunfawr. Just a couple of miles
down the road from your accommodation - see
Snowdonia from the saddle. Rides for all abilities
and ages Call 01286 650342
Isle of
Anglesey riding centre Dwyran, anglesey. Tel 01248
430377 (Back to top)
Join Up4it
Outdoors Coasteering on the coast of Anglesey for an
adrenaline packed day of scrambling, climbing and
swimming as you traverse the coast and coves of the
stunning Anglesey coastline full of amazing life and
challenges ! (Back to
top)
The
pleasure boat Queen of the Sea offers five
daily, 40-minute tours up and down the Menai
Strait from Slate Quay, beside the castle in
Caernarfon.
For
something with more of an adrenaline kick, Menai
Ventures offers one-hour RIB (rigid inflatable
boat) rides and arranges water sports activities
for groups Pleasure Flights.
From
Caernarfon Airport - Approx 6 miles from your
accommodation. Trips over Puffin Island, Snowdon
etc. Tel 01286 830800. (Back
to top)
The high
peaks of Snowdonia overlook the
Llŷn Peninsula and the Irish Sea coast which is
strewn with differing fishing locations, mountain
granite rock mass plunging steeply into the sea
giving deep water fishing marks close to shore. The
area’s 300km of coast is strewn with cosy sandy
storm and pebble beaches, which are a magnet to the
fish that inhabit them. The Menai Straits which
divides the mainland from Anglesey is set in
stunning scenery. The
fishing here is mainly spring to late autumn
with bass being the main quarry, best fished on a
rising tide. Baits include crab, rag and lug,
spinning is also effective.
Dinas Dinlle itself is another venue well worth
a visit as late spring early summer sees the arrival
of the tope packs. (Back
to top)
There are
too many great places to eat out locally to mention. From great Welsh home cooked food to Indian,
Cantonese, Thai, Pub grub, Italian and even all your
favourite fast food outlets. (Back
to top)
Segontium
Roman Fort. The Segontium Roman fort was an
auxiliary fort built by the Romans when they spread
their conquest of Britain into Wales, and dates back
to 77 AD. Although it was a remote outpost, it is
one of the most well known Roman sites in Britain
and attracts thousands of visitors each year. From
records, it is clear that it held a regiment of up
to 1,000 auxiliary soldiers until about 394 AD. These troops were non citizens who would be in the
service of the Roman army for 25 years. It was a
very strategic establishment, as it controlled
access to Angelsey, and protected the Welsh coast
from the sea bound Irish raiders. Apart from being
of military use, Segontium was also the
administrative centre for north west Wales.
One of the
oldest buildings in the town is The Market Hall,
which is situated on Hole In The Wall street, or
Stryd Twll Yn Wal as it is referred to most often.
The old
court buildings, replaced in 2009 by a new complex
designed by HOK on the former Segontium School site
in Llanberis Road, are situated inside the castle
walls, next door to the Anglesey Arms Hotel and to
the Gwynedd County Council Buildings in
Pendeitch. They are very grand buildings,
especially the outside of the Magistrate Court as it
has adopted a
gothic architecture style of decoration. The old
buildings were adjoining what used to be
Caernarfon gaol, which has closed since about
the early 20th century, and now been turned into
further Council Offices.
There are
many old
public houses serving the town, including The
Four Alls, The Anglesey Arms Hotel, The Castle
Hotel, The Crown, Pen Deitch and The
Twthill Vaults. The oldest public house in
Caernarfon is the
Black Boy Inn,The pub has stood inside the walls
of Caernarfon castle since the 16th century, and
many ghosts have been sighted within the building.
Ty Mawr hut
circles, is a 4000 year old settlement on Anglesey.
The island
of Anglesey is rich with over 120 scheduled ancient
monuments that are thousands of years old, and are
well worth a visit. There are around 30 Neolithic /
Bronze age burial chambers on the island, several
ancient settlements, and Anglesey standing stones
are abundant.
Most, but
not all, are located within view of Anglesey's
shores. In most cases the locations are in an
elevated position, often within clear view of the
Snowdonia mountain range on the mainland. Wherever
you travel throughout Anglesey, you are sure to see
ancient standing stones, and most would be between
4500 and 5000 years old. The earliest signs of life
on Anglesey found during archaeological digs are
8,000 years old. (Back
to top)
Glynllifon
Parc Historic gardens. Where history art and
landscape come together. Dogs on leads welcome. (Back
to top)
Bodnant
Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in the
UK, spanning some 80 acres and is situated above the
River Conwy on ground sloping towards the west and
looking across the valley towards the Snowdonia
range. Approx 30 minutes drive from your
accommodation (Back
to top)
Galeri
- Caernarfon's cultural scene has been
dramatically boosted by the 2005 opening of this
excellent multi-purpose arts centre, which hosts
exhibitions, theatre, film and events.
Mountain Art, 64 High Stree Llanberis Gwynedd
LL55 4HA (Back to
top)
The
small but excellent Pantri Cymraeg in Caernarfon
has a wide selection of Welsh goodies and
speciality food. They also do takeaway food. Brilliant for lunch on the go whilst strolling
around the historic Town.
You can
buy local produce direct from some of the
producers or visit the Dolgellau country market
every Thursday (at The Free Library, behind HSBC
9.00 am – 11.45 am) or Dolgellau market 3rd
Saturday every month. Also visit the Porthmadog
Local Produce Markets on lst Saturday of every
month (9.30-2.00pm) or the Farmers Market held
at Glasfryn Park every 1st Saturday of every
month (March-December). There are also number of
local shops that sell a good selection of local
produce such as the delis (Y Bwtri at Pwllheli &
Porthmadog) to the Spar at Pwllheli and the Euro
Spar at Dolgellau and Blaenau Ffestiniog.
(Back to top)
Inside
the tourist office, the Pendeitsh Gallery
showcases crafts from the Parc Glynllifon craft
centre, located 6 miles southwest of Caernarfon
on the A499.
At the
Inigo Jones Slate Works, Penygroes, natural
Welsh slate is used to make all manner of gifts
and garden items.
There
is a craft shop in the Holland Arms garden
centre on Anglesey.
The
fantasy village of Portmeirion serves up a
unique shopping experience. Amongst the Tudor
cottages, Chinese pagodas and Italianate piazzas
you can go shopping for quality crafts and homeware, quirky gifts and – of course –
Portmeirion Pottery. (Back
to top)
There
are a variety of shops in Caernarfon, from the
little gift shops, delicatessen, Spar,
Newsagent, to Iceland, Asda, Morrisons and
Tesco. Be sure to visit the fabulous new Celtica
centre at Doc Fictoria on the historic
waterfront. This swish, spacious complex is the
place to go for Celtic creativity in textiles,
arts and crafts.
At the
Inigo Jones Slate Works, Penygroes, natural
Welsh slate is used to make all manner of gifts
and garden items.
Further
afield (approx 6 miles) lies Bangor with its
large stores such as Debenhams, Next, Argos,
Marks and Spencer, Laura Ashley, Dunelm Mill,
Matalan, TK Maxx, PC world etc.
The
fantasy village of Portmeirion serves up a
unique shopping experience. Amongst the Tudor
cottages, Chinese pagodas and Italianate piazzas
you can go shopping for quality crafts and homeware, quirky gifts and – of course –
Portmeirion Pottery.
There’s
more of the same – but an even wider choice – at
Betws y Coed. This mountain resort nowadays has
a big reputation as a shopping destination as
well as a walking centre, thanks to the
exceptional range of craft, clothes and outdoor
gear shops that line its long main street.
(Back to top)
There's
a market in the Square in Caernarfon every
Saturday, and on Mondays during the summer.
There
is a large market in Llangefni on Anglesey every
Thursday and Saturday, and there is a market at
Amlwch every Friday and at Valley every Tuesday.
(Back to top)
Why not
drive just a mile or so and visit the Seoint
Garden Centre. As well as plants they have a
lovely tea rooms for a bite to eat.
The
Fron Goch Garden centre is just a few miles
south of Caernarfon and has a tea rooms.
Local
farm shop Hooton’s Homegrown has an outlet at
Fron Goch.
It
offers a complete range of meat and free-range
poultry, locally grown vegetables and fruit, and
other treats. So if you can’t wait to grow your
own food, buy it ready-made! Well worth a visit.
(Back to top)
