North Wales
North Wales (Welsh: Gogledd Cymru) is the northernmost region of Wales, in the United Kingdom, it is mountainous and home to beautiful beaches.
Regions
Cities and towns
North Wales has many picturesque towns. Below is a list of the most notable. For others, please see specific county articles.
- 1 Bangor (Gwynedd) — Small university city with a vibrant culture and nightlife and a cathedral dating back to the 6th century.
- 2 Blaenau Ffestiniog (Gwynedd) — Slate mining town where visitors can take a train underground at Llechwedd Caverns or glide over the quarry on Europe's fastest zip wire. Also the northern terminus of the narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway.
- 3 Caernarfon (Gwynedd) — dominated by its castle and medieval town walls. A symbolic seat to represent English power in North Wales.
- 4 Conwy (Conwy) — medieval, fortified town with impressive castle and quaint shops.
- 5 Denbigh (Dinbych) (Clwyd) — a pretty market town and one of the most historic towns in North Wales.
- 6 Llandudno (Conwy) — genteel Victorian seaside resort, dubbed the "Queen of the Welsh Resorts".
- 7 Llangollen (Clwyd) — on the historic stagecoach route, this small town is notable for its abbey, the spectacular leaping aqueduct that carries the canal, and the fine half-timbered abode of the "Ladies of Llangollen".
- 8 Tywyn (Gwynedd) — popular seaside resort with miles of sandy beach. Home to the famous Talyllyn Railway.
- 9 Wrexham (Wrecsam) (Clwyd) — the largest population centre in North Wales, with the commercial, transport and sporting infrastructure to match. Granted city status in 2022.
Other destinations
- 1 Snowdonia National Park
(Welsh: Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri) – great hiking territory, which includes Wales' highest mountain. Eryri (Snowdonia in Welsh) is the second largest National Park in England and Wales. This area has links with Arthurian legend. For example, the wizard Merlin's dragons supposedly lived at Dinas Emrys, a place name which means "Emrys' City" ('Emrys' being an alternative Celtic name for Merlin).
Three of Wales' five AONBs are in North Wales.
- 2 The Isle of Anglesey (Welsh: Ynys Môn) – Is one of the most distinctive, attractive and varied landscapes in the British Isles. Anglesey was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1966 in order to protect the aesthetic appeal and variety of the island's coastal landscape and habitats from inappropriate development. The AONB is predominantly a coastal designation, covering most of the island's 125-mile (200-km) coastline (including Ynys Llanddwyn, a tidal islet off the main island). It contains rocky headlands, golden beaches, dunes, heaths and fine green countryside. Some of the beaches are recognised as being among the best in Europe. The AONB supports a wealth of wildlife such as choughs, grey seals, sea lavender and silver studded blue butterflies. There are also many areas protected for their nature conservation value, such as Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve, and several Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
- 3 Llŷn AONB (Welsh: Penrhyn Llŷn) – The peninsula sticking out westwards into the Irish Sea, beyond Snowdonia, in the north-west of the country.
- 4 Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB (Welsh: Bryniau Clwyd a Dyffryn Dyfrdwy) – Contains the Clwydian range of hills running southwards from the coast at Prestatyn to Llandegla, in Denbighshire in the north-east of the country, close to the border with England. The highest and best-known hill of the Clwydian Range is Moel Famau, and many of the hills are the sites of Iron Age hill forts. Since 2011, it has also contained areas around the River Dee.
Understand
Talk
Many parts of North Wales are bilingual. While almost 100% of the people you meet can speak and understand English, you are also quite likely to hear Welsh being spoken, especially as you travel further west within the region. As of 2018, 77% of the people in Gwynedd can speak Welsh. You're least likely to encounter Welsh speakers on the north coast east of Conwy or north-eastern urban areas. Rural areas in North Wales are more likely to have Welsh speakers.
Get in
By train
Local train services within North Wales are run by Transport for Wales (TfW, Trafnidiaeth Cymru), with some intercity services from England provided by Avanti West Coast.
- The North to South Wales Mainline links Cardiff with Shrewsbury, Wrexham and the North Wales coast, via Chester. Services are operated by TfW from Cardiff to Holyhead, with Avanti operating services from Wrexham to London Euston.
- The North Wales Coast Line links Manchester, Crewe and London (in England) with the northern seaside resorts of Rhyl and Prestatyn, the city of Bangor, the isle of Anglesey and the port of Holyhead. Through-tickets to Dublin (Ireland) are available, which include the ferry from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire. Services are run by TfW (from Manchester) and Avanti (from London and Crewe)
- The beautiful Cambrian Line (TfW) runs from Shrewsbury (in England), across Mid-Wales through Machynlleth, then either southwards to Aberystwyth or northwards (as the Cambrian Coast Line) through the coastal towns of Tywyn and Barmouth, through the south part of Snowdonia, Harlech and Porthmadog, and along the south coast of the Lleyn Peninsula to Pwllheli.
- The Chester to Shrewsbury Line (TfW; and Avanti from Wrexham only) and sees hourly services from Chester to Shrewsbury (and onwards to Birmingham or South Wales) via all mainline stations in Wrexham County Borough.
- The Borderlands Line (TfW) sees a hourly service between Wrexham and Bidston (Birkenhead), linking various Flintshire towns and villages with the Wirral, and Wrexham.
By boat
- Regular ferry services operate between Holyhead and Ireland, (Dublin and Dun Laoghaire), and is provided by two carriers. Stenaline and Irish Ferries both offer multiple daily service between the two ports for passengers and vehicles. Bookings can be made through their respective websites.
By plane
There is an air service connecting RAF Valley in Anglesey to Cardiff International Airport in South Wales. For flights from other destinations, Manchester and Liverpool airports (across the border in England) are the closest bet, or Birmingham airport for the Cambrian Coast area.
By car
The main roads into North Wales from England are the A55 which runs along the north coast, connecting with the M56 and M53 near Chester, and the A5, which leaves the M54 at Shrewsbury and heads west to Betws y Coed and then north-west to Bangor.
From South and Mid Wales the A470 runs south to north through the centre of the country, from Cardiff to Llandudno via Dolgellau and Betws y Coed, while the A483 runs south-west to north-east, from Swansea to Wrexham and on across the border to Chester. The A487 runs along the coast to Aberystwyth, Cardigan and St. Davids.
The A55 along the coast and most of the A483 in Wrexham County Borough are the only dual carriageways. Overtaking on the other A-roads is not always possible. If time is of the essence, it is generally a good idea to travel on the A55 as far as possible. If not, the other roads are much more scenic.
By bus
- National Express operates coach services to North Wales from around the UK. Services terminate at Wrexham and Holyhead.
- Traws-Cymru cross-Wales services come from Cardiff and Swansea in the south via Aberystwyth or Brecon
Get around
By bike
The Wales Coast Path in North Wales follows part of the Reading to Holyhead National Cycle Route 5.
By train
(See also Get In above for details of lines into and across North Wales)
- The Conwy Valley Line stretches from Llandudno Junction along the Conwy Valley to Blaenau Ffestiniog, and connects with trains on both the North Wales Coast line and the Ffestiniog Railway.
By bus
See
Castles
There are a number of castles from the 12th and 13th centuries spread across North Wales. These date back to the time of the battles by the Welsh Princes of Gwynedd to resist the rule of King John, and more significantly, King Edward I of England. Most of the castles are in the care of Cadw [dead link], the historic environment service of the Welsh Assembly Government.
- Beaumaris - at the eastern tip of Anglesey. The final part of Edward I's "Ring of Steel" around North Wales, provocatively located immediately across the narrow Menai Strait from Garth Celyn, the seat of the Princes of Gwynedd.
- Caernarfon - planned seat of Edward I's power in Wales. Located in the town of Caernarfon
- Castell y Bere - Last stronghold of the Welsh Princes, and their most impressive fortress. Stunning location in Bro Dysynni.
- Chirk - Built in 1295, this National Trust Property is located in the Wrexham county borough.
- Conwy - built by Edward I to control the strategically significant town and river of the same name.
- Criccieth - Welsh-built castle near the eastern end of the Lleyn Peninsula
- Dinas Bran - atmospheric ruin on a hilltop near Llangollen
- Dolbadarn - Welsh-built castle situated between Llyn Peris and Llyn Padarn lakes, close to the town of Llanberis
- Dolwyddelan - Welsh castle, in the village of the same name on the main A470 road between Betws-y-Coed and Blaenau Ffestiniog. Reputed birthplace of Prince Llywelyn the Great. The Disney film Dragonslayer was filmed here.
- Flint - Edward I's first castle in Wales, in the far north-east close to the English border in Flintshire. Part of William Shakespeare's play Richard II is set within Flint Castle.
- Harlech - Another of Edward I's "ring of steel". Looks menacingly across Tremadog Bay at Criccieth Castle.
- Rhuddlan - in the small town of the same name, south of Rhyl. The remains of an older Motte and Bailey castle, Twtil, can still be seen in the grounds of Rhuddlan Castle.
Stately homes
- Plas Newydd - National trust property located in Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Anglesey, Wales
- Erddig Hall - National Trust property located on the outskirts of Wrexham
Heritage railways
For many visitors to North Wales, the main draw is the number of historic steam railways in the area. Some, such as the Bala Lake Railway and Llangollen Railway, run on stretches of lines that were part of the national railways network until the infamous "Beeching cuts" closed many lines in the 1960s. Others, including the Talyllyn and Ffestiniog Railways, were built by mine or quarry owners to transport their goods (usually slate) down to a port or to a mainline train station. Most of the railways are owned and run by societies of volunteer enthusiasts.
Standard gauge
Narrow gauge
- Bala Lake Railway
- Corris
- Ffestiniog Railway, runs from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog
- Llanberis Lake Railway.
- Snowdon Mountain Railway Runs from Llanberis all the way to the summit of Mount Snowdon, Wales' highest mountain
- Talyllyn Railway Tywyn. The world's first heritage railway and inspiration for the Ealing comedy film The Titfield Thunderbolt. Features in the popular Railway Series of children's books by Rev. W Awdry as the "Skarloey Railway".
- Welsh Highland Railway Porthmadog - Caernarfon
Miniature railways
- Conwy Valley Railway Museum, Betws-y-Coed
- Fairbourne Railway
- Rhyl Miniature Railway, The oldest miniature railway still running in the UK.
- Gypsy Wood Park, Caernarfon - UK's largest miniature G Scale garden railway.
Do
- Local Adventure Activities. Why not enjoy the rugged natural surroundings by trying out some Sea Kayaking, Rock Abseiling, Cliff Jumping, Sea Level Traversing, Gorge Scrambling or even Mountain Horse Riding. Some local instructors include Shaggy Sheep Wales Activities or ComeAndTry.com.
- Gypsy Wood Park, Caernarfon - An outdoor attraction well worth a visit on a sunny day. Its a relaxing attraction, with the UK's largest miniature G Scale garden railway and a great family day out with children who love animals.
- Indoor Karting, Caernarfon - If the weather isn't up to much you could always visit the Redline Indoor Karting centre at Cibyn Industrial Estate.
Eat
The Wales the True Taste campaign has been very successful in promoting the use of local ingredients, and even fairly low-key restaurants and pubs will often have a sign telling you where all of their ingredients are sourced.
Perhaps the most high-profile local ingredient is lamb, and you certainly won't spend long in North Wales before you see your first sheep! Artisan cheeses abound, look out for the Snowdonia Creamery range, among others. Fresh, local seafood can be excellent, especially on the Lleyn.
Drink
There are a number on independent breweries across North Wales, brewing a range of traditional ales. Porthmadog based microbrewery Purple Moose (Bragdy Mws Piws) is well worth looking out for.
Wrexham Lager has re-launched after over a decade and the owners have re-introduced the much loved recipe, which was discontinued when Carlsberg-Tetley took over the brewery. The owners of Wrexham Lager are hoping to bring back the original logo as soon as they possibly can.
Go next
- The wild mountains and moorland of Mid Wales, and it's spectacular west coast.
- Liverpool and Manchester, two bustling cities in North West England, are both within very easy reach of North Wales.