Menai Strait Accommodation

Penrhyn Castle

Bangor Tourist Information

Bangor has a similar Victorian charm to Llandudno. Here also in Bangor is a splendid Victorian Pier, a legacy of Bangor's initial tourism boom during the Victorian period. Bangor is a Welsh University town too, giving it a bohemian edge. The slightly askew Bangor Cathedral, some of which dates from the 15th century but most of which is Victorian reconstruction, also adds character. Combine this with the nearby marvel of the Menai suspension bridge built by Thomas Telford, Penrhyn Castle just to the east of Bangor and an excellent Museum and art gallery, Bangor has much to offer as a Gwynedd holiday base. Good short break base too! You've easy access from Bangor to both Anglesey and Snowdonia National Park.

Bangor Tourist Information Centre, Town Hall, Ffordd Deiniol, Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales, LL57 2RE. Tel: 01248 352786.

Bangor Cathedral

Although the oldest part of Bangor Cathedral you can see today dates back to the 15th century, St Deiniol actually built a cell here as early as 530AD. This cell obviously evolved, as it became a cathedral, with St Deiniol as Bishop, in 546AD.

The original Bangor Cathedral was totally destroyed by King John's men in 1211, with rebuilding not beginning in earnest until 1480. Today, the arcade and clerestory still surviving dates from 1510. The big period for restoration however was between 1870 and 1880, undertaken by Sir George Gilbert Scott. The woodcarvings by Robert Thompson in the interior of the cathedral are of particularly interest.

Checkout Bangor Cathedral's weblink right for a detailed history, and for service times should you want to attend a service.

Bangor's Victorian Pier

Thanks to Bangor City Council, who bought Bangor's Victorian Pier for just a pennie and saved it from destruction, you can enjoy the Victorian splendor of it still. This Victorian pier was built in 1896 and has feature kiosks like Llandudno's Victorian Pier.

Pushing out into the Menai Straits (around 450m), Bangor's Victorian Pier offers views in the distance of the Menai Suspension Bridge. All your favourites are here too on this most traditional of piers, including ice cream sellers at the entrance, a cafÃ© and a tourist information kiosk. Open from Mondays to Fridays, 8.30am to 5pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5pm. There's a small fee for entrance.

Bangor Museum & Art Gallery

Free to enter, and with a local history focus on both Bangor and the surrounding rural area, Bangor's Museum and Art Gallery is well worth a browse (tel: 353368, Ffordd Gwynedd - see Gwynedd Council's weblink right for more details)

As well as local history, with ample photographs, paintings and sculpture, this museum also does well the Palaeolithic history of the area, with information on local ancient sites.

On-site is a museum shop. Exhibitions change regularly.

Penrhyn Castle - National Trust

Fantasy Welsh castle don't get much better than Penrhyn Castle just to the east of Bangor. Dating from the 19th century, it's worth a visit not just to view this castle's elaborate architecture, but also for the sublime views of Snowdonia from here.

Owned by the National Trust (weblink right), Penrhyn Castle has Victorian character through and through, with extensive walled garden surround, plus on-site see the dolls museum, the Victorian kitchens, a railway museum plus an adventure playground. Penrhyn Castle caters particularly well for children.

The castle is neo-Norman and was built for the Pennant family (whose wealth was built off the back of Jamaican sugar plus Welsh slate) by Thomas Hopper between 1820 and 1845. Royalty visited here, including the Prince of Wales in 1894. You can tour the extensively restored servants quarters and kitchens - the toil and drudgery of those below stairs is explored well here. Refreshments, baby changing facilities and more are all on-site. Check the National Trust weblink right for full details.

Penrhyn Castle, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 4HN. Tel: 01248 353084.

Bangor Golf Club

St Deiniol Golf Club, Bangor, Gwynedd, North Wales. Tel: 01248 353098. (weblink right)

Click Search

Tourist Information

Internet Links

Home Top