Tourist attractions

Trefriw

In Trefriw itself, there are the hydro-electric powered Woollen Mills to visit, and behind them is the pretty waterfall of Fairy Falls.  Walk along the Gower Road to the river Conwy and the footbridge built to access the railway station in Llanrwst and you will have fine views of Trefriw and the mountains behind. The Trefriw Trails are a series of walks around the village and beyond, taking you up the mountains to the lovely lakes of Llyn Geirionydd and Llyn Crafnant. Llyn Geirionydd is the place for watersports and swimming, whilst day fishing permits are available for Llyn Crafnant, where you can also enjoy afternoon tea at the lakeside cafe – very welcome after a strenuous walk!

Further afield

There is so much to see and do in North Wales, these are just a few of the area’s attractions:

Surf Snowdonia, the world’s first inland surfing lagoon, is in the next village just 3 miles away

ZipWorld Fforest is in neighbouring Llanrwst

Just 20 minutes away is the fine walled town of Conwy, with its magnificent castle and pretty harbour. There are also other castles to be visited at Caernarfon, Dolwyddelan and Harlech and Criccieth, all within an easy (and beautiful) drive.

Even closer, just 10 minutes away, is the lively town of Betws-Y-Coed, which has cafes, pubs, outdoor and craft shops as well as the charming Pont-y-Pair bridge and waterfalls. Enjoy the gentle riverside walk along the Afon Llugwy or see the famous Swallow Falls.

The Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno with its historical pier, wonderful seafront and beaches is also just 30 minutes away. Take the tramway to the top of the Great Orme and enjoy the spectacular views of the Carneddau mountains and the Isle of Anglesey. Don’t forget to explore the recently-discovered 4000 year old Bronze Age copper mine, the largest in the world!

Mining of another kind is on view at the Llechwedd Slate Caverns, where you can see just where those Welsh slate roofs came from – a great attraction for a rainy day.

Wales is famous for its steam railways, and the Ffestiniog Railway, Welsh Highland Railway, and Llangollen Railway are all within easy reach, not forgetting the Snowdon Mountain Railway, which is definitely the easiest way to climb Wales’s highest peak!

Portmerion

The Welsh Highland Railway runs from Caernarfon to the town of Porthmadog and the Italianate village of Portmeirion is near here. Designed by the architect Clough Williams Ellis, it is possibly most famous as a setting for the television series, The Prisoner. With brightly-painted buildings and a wonderful setting on the estuary of the Afon Dwyryd, it’s well worth the trip.

If it’s beautiful beaches you are looking for, some of the best are on the Isle of Anglesey, with even more to explore down the coastline of the Llyn peninsula, where you can also find the sailing mecca of North Wales, the small town of Abersoch.

 

Bodnant gardens

North Wales also has some wonderful gardens to visit, with one of the most famous just 15 minutes drive away – Bodnant Gardens. The National Trust has several more good gardens in North Wales; Penrhyn Castle, Erddig and Plas Newydd. Plas Newydd is also known for its splendid Whistler mural. If you are a keen gardener, a visit to Crug Farm Nurseries near Caernarfon is a must, and don’t forget the gardens at Portmeirion and nearby Plas Brondanw.

Activities

Set at the gateway to the Snowdonia National Park, Plas Celyn is ideally placed for a walking, scrambling or climbing holiday. You can walk up into the Carneddau range from the village, or go a little further afield to ascend Yr Wyddfa itself, or the spectacular peaks of the Glyders in the Ogwen valley. These are just a few of the more energetic hikes nearby. We also have plenty of low-level walks on which to stretch your legs, with marked forest trails on the hills behind in the Gwydir Estate – no need even to get in your car! For climbers, Craigiau Gleision, Cregiau Bwlch-Y-Haearn and Cregiau Eigiau are just some of the local challenges, and the Plas Y Brenin centre is at Capel Curig nearby. If you are just beginning, the Trefriw-based Rock Climbing Company can arrange taster climbs abseiling and scrambling.

On two wheels, there are splendid runs to be had in the Conwy valley, and some of the country’s best mountain biking nearby. The exciting and challenging Marin trail can be accessed by bike from our door, and it’s only a few miles to the Penmachno Trail, with Coed-Y-Brenin also in easy reach. Downhill cyclists can enjoy the new centre in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Canoeing and kayaking, gorge walking, canyoning, underground adventures, birdwatching, kiteboarding, fishing, riding or trekking – whatever your choice of activity, find it all in Snowdonia and North Wales!