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North Wales - Local Places of Interest and Activities

Potmeirion Village Portmeirion Village - Visit the wonderful Portmeirion Village. Developed by Clough Williams-Ellis on his own private peninsula on the Coast of Snowdonia. His lifelong concern was with Architecture, Landscape Design, the protection of Rural Wales and Conservation. The village has several shops and restaurants and is surrounded by the Gwyllt sub-tropical gardens and woodlands and miles of sandy beaches.

Conwy Castle - Conwy castle is a gritty, dark stoned fortress which has the rare ability to evoke an authentic medieval atmosphere. Conwy, constructed by the English monarch Edward I between 1283 and 1289 as one of the key fortresses in his 'iron ring' of castles to contain the Welsh, was built to prompt such a humbling reaction. Soaring curtain walls and eight huge round towers give the castle an intimidating presence undimmed by the passage of time. The views from the battlements are breathtaking looking out across mountains and sea. It is from these battlements that visitors can best appreciate Conwy's other great glory, its ring of town walls. Conwy is the classic walled town. Its circuit of walls, over three quarters of a mile long and guarded by no less than 22 towers, is one of the finest in the World.

Ffestiniog Railway - The Ffestiniog Railway is the Oldest Independent Railway Company in the World. The traveller on the Ffestiniog is treated to a comfortable journey from the delightful and historic port of Porthmadog situated at the inland end of the Lleyn peninsula in North Wales, across the Cob (which serves to separate the reclaimed land in the old Glaslyn estuary from the sea) and then up an almost continuous gradient to the ancient slate quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog high in the mountains. Much of the journey is within the Snowdonia National Park amongst some of the most rugged and beautiful mountain scenery in Wales. Take time to visit nearby Llechwedd Slate Caverns. Tour the underground world of the Victorian slate miner and explore the home of slate heritage. The 'Deep Mine Tour' starts on the steepest passenger railway, meet the ghost of a Victorian miner who tells of the social life of the community in the industrial revolution. The 'Miners Tramway' is a guided tour through a network of caverns with demonstrations of ancient mining skills.

Bodnant Gardens - 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. The garden has two parts. The upper garden around Bodnant Hall consists of the terraced gardens and informal lawns shaded by trees. The lower portion, known as the "Dell" is formed by the valley of the River Hiraethlyn and contains the Wild garden. Bodnant Gardens An endeavour has been made at Bodnant Garden to grow a wide range of interesting and beautiful plants from all over the world, particularly China, North America, Europe and Japan that are suited to the Welsh climate and soil. As well as this, care has been taken to place the plants in such a way that they enhance each other and contribute to the general beauty of the garden throughout the seasons.

Caernarfon Castle - the largest castle built by Edward I, started in 1283. Most of the exterior walls have survived but, although the interior has vanished, it is still used for the investiture of the Prince of Wales.

South Wales - Local Places of Interest and Activities

Mumbles and Gower Peninsula - Mumbles is a Victorian seaside resort, often referred to as 'the Gateway to Gower'. It has much to offer, including a promenade, restored pier and fabulous shops and eateries. Oystermouth, at the village centre, is so named for its history as an oyster-fishing port. Oystermouth is dominated by the impressive castle ruins.

Tredegar House - Located on the outskirts of Newport and easily accessible off the M4 motorway, the 17th-century Tredegar House is one of the architectural wonders of Wales. Its 36 hectares/90 acres of award-winning gardens and parkland include formal areas and wide expanses of grassland. The Ancestral home of the Morgan family and later the Lord Tredegars. The Victorians re-modelled the original seventeenth century house so that they wouldn't have to receive guests straight into the Great Hall. They abandoned the main entrance, and turned the house on its side, building this new entrance in around 1850.