If you’re looking for an epic getaway, just a short hop away from the Channel Islands, then look no further than North Wales.
This is a region alive with action, adventure and a rich, distinctive culture. Think magnificent castles, picturesque villages, dramatic landscapes, World Heritage sites, one of Europe’s oldest living languages and thrill-seeking activities galore.
Best of all, North Wales is only a two hours’ drive from Manchester and Liverpool airports, or easily accessible from these hubs thanks to an excellent rail and bus network. Fly direct to these two airports year-round from Jersey. Aurigny has a direct year-round service between Guernsey and Manchester, while Blue Islands is launching a Liverpool summer service.
So, if you are looking for a weekend full of adventure, a romantic escape or a fun-filled family getaway, make sure North Wales is on your radar.
Outdoor adventures
North Wales is home to incredible landscapes, including Snowdonia National Park. This 823-square-mile wilderness has Wales’ highest mountain, the 3,560-feet Mount Snowdon, plus valleys, lakes and rivers, all ripe for exploration on foot, by bicycle or on horse.
Thrillseekers should check out the Llechwedd Slate Caverns and experience the zip line through the mines and surrounding mountains. You can also bounce around on the world’s first subterranean trampoline inside the mines.
Penrhyn Slate Quarry, located near Bethesda, is home to Zip World Velocity 2, the fastest zip line in the world and the longest in Europe. More action is to be had at the National Whitewater Centre, where you can spend half-a-day or a whole weekend rafting.
A brilliantly bonkers Italian-style village
Designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis in the early 20th century, Portmeirion is a a jumble of white, ochre and pastel-coloured Riviera-inspired buildings and ornamental gardens. This passion project enjoys a stunning location, cafes, a restaurant, a spa, and you can even stay on-site in one of the village’s two stylish hotels or self-catering cottages.
You can’t go to Wales and not see a castle
Built in 1283 by King Edward I, the medieval Caernarfon Castle is one of the most impressive castles in Wales and well deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage status. Explore the grounds, the dark passageways and the well-preserved towers, where you’ll find fantastic views of the nearby town and the River Seiont.
The quaint Victorian seaside town of Llandudno
Just north of Conwy, this gorgeous seaside town transports visitors back in time with its brightly coloured architecture, elegant promenade, and a pier filled with shops, food stands and amusement park rides.
In the nearby Great Orme Country Park, there are tramways and cable cars, plus hiking trails and copper mines that have been transformed into visitor attractions.
The oldest railway company in the world
The Ffestiniog Railway is the oldest independent railway company in the world, established in 1832. A must-see for train buffs – and simply lovely for anyone else – the railway takes you on a 13-and-a-half mile journey from the harbour in Porthmadog to the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. These historic trains climb over 700 feet from sea level into the mountains through pastures and forests, past lakes and waterfalls, clinging to the side of the mountain and tunnelling through it.
