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North Wales Coast Accommodation

Llandudno's Victorian Pier

Llandudno Prom, Great Orme Backdrop

Moments in Time Exhibition, Rhyl Prom

North Wales Film Trail - On The Buses, Pontins Prestatyn

Thomas Telford Suspension Bridge & Conwy Castle

Rhyl, Prestatyn, Llandudno, Anglesey, Beaumaris, Caernarfon, The Menai Strait, The Llyn

Stretching up the Dee Estuary, through the seaside holiday meccas of Prestatyn, Rhyl and Llandudno, taking in Conwy's striking castle then up to the sublime Isle of Anglesey for more stunning beaches and a choice of ancient burial sites and megaliths. Take in the UNESCO World Heritage castle at Caernarfon, then down to the Llyn Peninsula, checking out the fairytale village of Portmeirion along the way. The North coast of Wales is diverse indeed.

You're in some of Wales' best seaside holiday locations including bustling Rhyl and Prestatyn and the Victorian time warp Llandudno. Not forgetting the pretty beach bays of Colwyn and Conwy. If you haven't discovered the sublime beauty of Anglesey where have you been - a huge array of holiday attractions awaits here on Anglesey including blue flag endless golden sandy beaches, surfing, kitesurfing, ancient bronze age, iron age and celtic sites plus some superb family holiday attractions!

Rhyl & Prestatyn Colwyn Bay

Budget seaside family holidays in Wales don't get much better than Rhyl. Holiday makers have been coming here to Wales' holiday North coast for many years, and Rhyl pulls on both it's seaside history plus it's evolved with the times. (checkout the new Moments in Time Exhibition on the West Prom!) You can still ride on a donkey on Rhyl's beaches. Rhyl and slightly quieter neighbour Prestatyn offer four beautiful sandy beaches which stretch for 7 miles, and what's more Rhyl and Prestatyn Central beaches both have Seaside Awards for cleanliness and superb water quality. Rhyl's indoor Sun Centre water complex offers a host of exciting rides, and a ride up to the top of Sky Tower for panoramic views of the area is a must.

A little less livelier than Rhyl which makes for a more laid back character, Prestatyn is the start or end (whichever way you look at it) of the Offa's Dyle National Trail running all the way down for 177 miles to Cheapstow in the Wye Valley/South Wales. Golf lovers, welcome to Prestatyn. There's two superb golf courses here in Prestatyn - Prestatyn Golf Course (a championship course situated right on the beach!) and St Melyd Golf Club. Three glorious sandy beaches, the Nova Entertainment centre, and a delightfully accessible promenade give Prestatyn an edge. Pontins is still here to at Prestatyn Sands off Barkby beach - magic!

Llandudno Tourism Guide

Celebrated for it's picture postcard Victorian resort architecture and choice of historic attractions including the Victorian pier and the Great Orme Tramway taking you to the top of the Great Orme headland, Llandudno has immense character and charm and pulls in the visitors all year round.

Conwy

Conwy is renowned for it's spectacular Welsh Castle, but there's more attractions in the town itself including some fascinating and intact Elizabethan houses. Conwy is a walled town situated at the mouth of the River Conwy. Note Thomas Telford's suspension bridge, smaller sister to the bigger Menai Bridge also built by Telford. Cycle the Conwy Valley and take Conwy River boat trips.

Menai Strait - Caernarfon and Bangor

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. You've easy access from Bangor to both Anglesey and Snowdonia National Park.

In Caernarfon discover a magnificent World Heritage designated Castle, a stunning narrow gauge railway, an exciting National Watersports centre, and a fascinating Roman Fort are just a few of the attractions on offer to the Caernarfon visitor. Caernarfon is a real gateway into the Snowdonia National Park (the scenic railway runs directly into the heart of Snowdonia from Caernarfon). Caernarfon has a rich history, many speak Welsh here. The town is perfect as a base for accessing Snowdonia, many outdoor centres and walking tour operators are based here.

The Isle of Anglesey

Anglesey is another of Wales' most popular locations for holidays and short breaks, catering for a variety of tastes. It's all covered here in Anglesey, with it's enormous number of ancient sites from Neolithic burial chambers to Megaliths and Hut Groups.

Anglesey's activities are diverse, offering some great watersports including surfing and diving around the coast. Superb family beaches or hidden cove beaches abound, plus for outdoor leisure Angelsey offers excellent choice from fishing to horse riding. Not forgetting families, Anglesey does family attractions well with model villages, marine aquariums, farm play parks and butterfly parks to mention a few. Beaumaris Castle is a must view spectacular Welsh Castle, and Anglesey Golf choice isn't half bad too!

Lleyn Peninsula North

The feel of the North Lleyn Peninsula might be a little remote compared to the bustling surf and wakeboard scene around Abersoch Bay and beyond to Hell's Mouth, especially in peak summer season. The North Llyn though will appeal perhaps to a different audience - it's a coastal walking paradise up here, with most of the coastline owned and protected by the National Trust.

North Llyn village centres include both Morfa Nefyn and Tudweilliog. The stretch of coast just off Morfa Nefyn at Porth Dinllaen was once a workig port area (and considered as a possible centre for ferries to Ireland, but Holyhead on the North coast of Anglesey was eventually chosen), shipping out herring and building ships. All you need look out for here now though is a variety of seabirds and wildlife. Birdwatching and walking holidays are on the menu in North Llyn.

You'll be following in the footsteps of early pilgrims, and there's a fair sprinkling of Bronze, Iron and Stone Age sites in the North Llyn area.

Abersoch & Pwllheli

Pwllheli and Abersoch are both hotspots for watersports, particularly surfing and windsurfing around Abersoch and further west on the Llyn south west facing Porth Neigwl beach or Hell's Mouth as it's known is the base for the British Surfing Association and Surf Shops/Schools. Surfing competitions are held here. The east facing Abersoch Bay is popular with windsurfers and wakeboarders (watch out for the annual Wakestock music festival!). Sailing and Powerboating are also popular around Abersoch.

Pwllheli is the major town on the Llyn, once home to a mammoth Butlins fondly remembered by many (1950s Pwllheli Butlins badges are still in big demand!). Less geared to holidaymakers than Abersoch, Pwllheli still makes a superb base for exploring the Llyn, with plenty of lively pubs in the town, as well as a bustling South Beach Promenade.

Criccieth

Criccieth has it's own selection of attractions and appeal too, with a Welsh come English castle dramatically set on a headland. Two glorious beaches sit either side of the castle, plus just inland there's Criccieth Golf Course. Check out the Chapel of Art too! Visit in mid to late June and you'll co-incide with the excellent Criccieth Music Festival offering a programme of jazz, classical, art, guided walks, talks and more.

Porthmadog & Portmeirion

Popular as a base for easy access into Snowdonia via the Ffestiniog Railway, Portmadog's history is that of former slate port - the town's name is derived from the slate magnet William Alexander Madocks who built both the harbour and the rail route upto Blaenau Ffestiniog. You're ideally close to picture postcard Portmeirion based here too, plus just a hop and skip from the scenic Llyn Peninsula.

Some of the best views of Snowdonia are to be had from Porthmadog. As well as the Narrow Gauge Railway, other attractions in the town include a small Maritime Museum, a motor museum, great local climbing locations plus Porthmadog's crowning glory - the 3 mile expanse of Black Sands Beach just to the west of the town centre.

Fantasy fairytale villages don't come more kitsch than Portmeirion - in a world of it's own on the Snowdonia coast, Portmeirion was the idea of one man, Sir Clough Williams-ellis. His daughter and partner continue to manage the site. Open all year round, Portmeirion doesn't just have a selection of fascinating buildings including a mock castle, but is also crammed with stunning gardens and woodland. You can stay here, or come for a day trip. Portmeirion is easily accessible just over a mile to the east of Porthmadog.

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