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Tourism Partnership North Wales

Princes of Gwynedd

Welsh singer and broadcaster Aled Jones was born in Bangor and brought up in Llandegfan on the Isle of Anglesey. He was a member of Bangor Cathedral Choir from the age of nine, and within 2 years was a lead soloist, winning many national singing competitions and Eisteddfodau.

This attraction is Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS) approved.

Bangor Cathedral

The Cathedral at Bangor was founded in around 525 AD – more than 70 years before Canterbury Cathedral, when Deiniol, a Celtic missionary built a fenced enclosure known as a bangor (hence the name), with a church inside.

Bardsey Island, off Llŷn Peninsula

Bardsey Island (Ynys Enlli in Welsh) lies in the Irish Sea about two miles off the tip of the Llŷn Peninsula.

Bishop William Morgan (1545–1604) and Ty Mawr Wybrnant, Penmachno, Betws-y-Coed

Bishop William Morgan was the cleric and scholar responsible for the first Welsh Bible. The Acts of Union had made English the official language of Wales, and in 1563 a Welsh Bible was commissioned as a roundabout means of teaching English.

Alfred Lord Tennyson once said he’d never seen ‘anything more awful than the great veil of rain drawn straight over Cader Idris’. But catch it on a good day and the views are knockout.

This attraction is Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS) approved.

Caernarfon Castle

Caernarfon Castle gained world fame in 1969 when HRH Prince Charles became the Prince of Wales.

Capel Garmon Burial Chamber, Capel Garmon near Betws-y-Coed

Capel Garmon Burial Chamber is a Neolithic chambered tomb, of a kind not usually found in North Wales.

Castell y Bere in South Gwynedd was probably built by Prince Llywelyn ab Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great) in about 1221.

Clynnog Dolmen, Clynnog Fawr, Llŷn Peninsula

Not far from the village of Clynnog Fawr on the Llŷn Peninsula you’ll find Clynnog Dolmen (or Bachwen Burial Chamber).

This attraction is Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS) approved.

Criccieth Castle

Perched in an imposing position, the castle is still dominated by the twin-towered gatehouse built by Prince Llywelyn ab Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great). Extended by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (Llywelyn the Last) and later remodelled by Edward I and Edward II.

David Lloyd George (1863–1945)

One of the 20th century’s greatest statesmen, David Lloyd George was born in Manchester and raised in Criccieth, on the west coast of North Wales. His work as a young solicitor secured a local reputation as a stalwart defender of the poor and in 1890 he was voted Liberal MP for Caernarfon (a seat which he would hold for more than 50 years).

Dinorwic Quarry

The Romans used slate from Elidir mountain for the roofs at their fort at Segontium.

Dolbadarn Castle

High above Llyn Padarn in Snowdonia stand the sturdy remains of Dolbadarn Castle. It was probably built by Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, (also known as Llywelyn the Great) in the thirteenth century.

Dolwyddelan Castle

Deep in Snowdonia, not very far from Betws y Coed stands a square stone keep – the lonely remains of Dolwyddelan Castle.

King Edward I of England was born in 1239, the son of King Henry III of England and Eleanor of Provence.

This attraction is Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS) approved.

Electric Mountain / Elidir, Llanberis

Snowdonia is beautiful on the outside, no question. But there’s more to see beneath the surface of our National Park, too. Including an Electric Mountain.

Faenol Festival and Bryn Terfel

On the music front there’s not much that international singing star Bryn Terfel hasn’t turned his hand to: opera, folk, show tunes, oratorio. The Caernarfon-born star won the 1989 Cardiff Singer of the World Lieder prize, and made his stage debut with Welsh National Opera in 1990.

Hafod Eryri, at the top of Snowdon

When the Snowdon Mountain Railway first opened in 1896, a hotel was built a short distance from the summit of Snowdon. It was replaced in the 1930s by a restaurant designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. Time and the elements took their toll, and by the end of the 20th century, the building was described by Prince Charles as ‘the highest slum in Wales'.

This attraction is Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS) approved.

Building work began on mighty Harlech Castle in 1283, and was completed by the end of 1289 (employing nearly 950 men at its peak).

Hedd Wyn (1887 – 1917)

Born Ellis Humphrey Evans in Trawsfynnydd, Gwynedd, shepherd and poet Hedd Wyn (his Bardic name meaning ‘white peace’) had begun writing at an early age and gained success in local Eisteddfodau.

Hester Lynch Piozzi Thrale (1741-1821)

Diarist and author Hester Lynch Salusbury was born at Bodvel Hall near Pwllheli, Gwynedd into one of 18th century Wales’ most illustrious land-owning families. In 1763 she married brewer magnate Henry Thrale and moved to London where her husband’s financial status allowed her to enter London society.

Kate Roberts (1891–1985) and Gwasg Gee

Novelist and short-story writer Kate Roberts was born in 1891 in Rhosgadfan, near Caernarfon. She gained a degree in Welsh Literature and a teaching diploma from Bangor University, after which she taught in Swansea and Aberdare, before relocating to Cardiff. With the help of ‘a sharper pair of eyes than any other in Wales’ she wrote profusely, penning such Welsh classics as Te Yn Y Grug (Tea In The Heather).

Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence / T E Lawrence / Lawrence of Arabia (1888 – 1935)

Thomas Edward Lawrence was born in Tremadog on the Llŷn Peninsula and was schooled in archaeology at Jesus College, Oxford. His studies led to a lifelong interest in Arab culture and in the year before WWI spent many years in the Middle East.

Llanberis Lake Railway

The narrow gauge Llanberis Lake Railway runs along the northern shore of Llyn Padarn, Llanberis.

This attraction is Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS) approved.

Llechwedd Slate Caverns

At its peak in 1904 Llechwedd employed 639 men. In 1935 the first ever Welsh language film – Y Chwarelwr – was made here.

Llywelyn ap Gruffudd / Llywelyn the Last

Of all the Welsh princes, it was Llywelyn ap Gruffudd who came closest to forging an independent Wales. When Henry III acknowledged his position, Llywelyn became the first ever Welshman to be recognised as Prince of Wales by an English King.

Llywelyn ap Iorwerth / Llywelyn the Great.

In 12th century Wales, the single most powerful figure was Llywelyn ap Iorwerth or Llywelyn the Great. Born at Dolwyddelan in about 1173, he’d inherited a large chunk of Gwynedd, and by 1200 was its sole ruler.

Manod Quarry, Blaenau Ffestiniog

Slate was first quarried at Manod Mawr in the mountains above Ffestiniog more than 200 years ago.

Menai Suspension Bridge

Before Thomas Telford built the Menai Suspension Bridge, a journey to Anglesey meant a perilous boat trip or desperate dash at low tide.

Michael Daniel Jones (1822-1898) and Mimosa

Michael Daniel Jones was born in Bala, Snowdonia. He was a devout Christian minister who served as Principal of Bala Congregational College. Increasingly disillusioned with the state of 19th century Welsh society, Jones initiated the repatriation of 153 Welsh emigrants to Patagonia, Argentina, who set sail aboard the Mimosa in 1865.

The giant with the biggest presence in North Wales has to be Yr Wyddfa – Snowdon. At 3560 feet, it’s the highest mountain in England and Wales.

National Eisteddfod

The National Eisteddfod is a serious competition amongst Welsh virtuosi of poetry, singing and dancing. The history of the National Eisteddfod can be traced all the way back to 1176 when Lord Rhys of Cardigan threw a great big party at his castle.

This attraction is Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS) approved.

National Slate Museum, Llanberis

A celebration of ‘the most Welsh of Welsh industries’, The National Slate Museum is based in the very workshops used by the Dinorwic Quarry.

Oakeley Mine, Blaenau Ffestiniog

Oakley was formed when three quarries joined forces during the 1880s.

This attraction is Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS) approved.

Oriel Plas Glyn y Weddw, Llanbedrog, Llŷn Peninsula

From its magnificent Grade II listed Victorian mansion, Oriel Plas Glyn y Weddw enjoys some of the best views of Cardigan Bay.

This attraction is Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS) approved.

Penrhyn Castle, Bangor

Snowdonia on one side. Anglesey on the other. It’s no surprise the Pennant family chose this spot for Penrhyn Castle.

Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda

Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda is thought to be the world’s largest slate quarry: the main pit is almost a mile long and about 1200 feet deep.

Plas yn Rhiw, Pwllheli

Eileen, Lorna and Honora Keating began restoring the 16th century house and garden in 1938.

This attraction is Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS) approved.

Portmeirion, Penrhyndeudraeth

Bertram Clough Williams-Ellis (1883-1978) was born in Northamptonshire and educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. His lifelong concern was with architecture, landscape design and conservation – he was responsible for the demarcation of the Snowdonia National Park.

Robert Stephenson and Britannia Bridge

Civil engineer Robert Stephenson was born in Newcastle in 1803, the son of famous railway engineer, George Stephenson. Just as Menai Suspesnion Bridge provided the first road link between Anglesey and the main land, so Britannia Bridge would provide the very first rail link.

Roman Roads: Sarn Helen

What did the Romans ever do for us? There’s no doubt that one of the biggest things the Romans brought to Britain was a network of roads.

RS Thomas (1913-2000)

Ronald Stuart Thomas was born in Cardiff in 1913. He read Classics at Bangor University (home today to the RS Thomas Study Centre) and was schooled in theology at St. Michael’s College, Llandaff. He was ordained as a priest in the Anglican Church in Wales in 1936, and posted to several locations across Wales, including Chirk, Denbighshire; Aberdaron, Llyn Peninsula and Manafon, Montgomeryshire – where he published his first three volumes of poetry.

Saint Twrog’s Stone, Maentwrog

Maentwrog means ‘Twrog’s stone’, and according to local legend, a giant named Twrog threw a boulder from the top of a hill down into the settlement below and destroyed a pagan altar.

Segontium Roman Fort

Segontium Roman Fort, Caernarfon, was established in around 77 AD and held a regiment of about 1000 soldiers – right up until 394 AD (that’s almost 1000 years before Caernarfon Castle was even built).

This attraction is Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS) approved.

Snowdon Mountain Railway

Snowdon Mountain Railway has been scaling the highest mountain in England and Wales since 1896. Today it’s one of the most popular attractions in North Wales, drawing thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.

This attraction is Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS) approved.

Snowdon Mountain Railway

Snowdon Mountain Railway has been scaling the highest mountain in England and Wales since 1896. Today it’s one of the most popular attractions in North Wales, drawing thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.

This attraction is Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS) approved.

The Ffestiniog Railway

The Ffestiniog Railway is the oldest independent railway company in the World. It was founded in 1832 and was originally built to transport slate from the quarries at Blaenau Ffestiniog using the powers of gravity. And horse.

The Gwiber of Penmachno, near Betws-y-Coed

Wybrnant near Penmachno takes its name from a flying snake (honestly!). This terrifying beast, known as a Gwiber, was able to live on land and underwater and would devour livestock and people.

The Mabinogion is a collection of Welsh folk tales which came to prominence in the 19th century, when Lady Charlotte Guest first published her translation. But the tales are themselves much older than that: it’s thought that some were written as early as the second half of the 11th century, and that some might be even older – the product of centuries of storytelling.

The Snowdon Lily

The Snowdon Lily is a very rare alpine plant which grows in awkward places, so called because all of the known specimens in Britain are here in Snowdona, in only six small areas.

Tre’r Ceiri near Nefyn, Llŷn Peninsula

Widely regarded as the most impressive hill fort in north Wales, Tre’r Ceiri occupies the top of one of Yr Eifl’s three peaks near Nefyn on the Llŷn Peninsula.

This attraction is Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS) approved.

Welsh Highland Railway

What we know today as the Welsh Highland Railway was originally a culmination of a handful of narrow gauge railways:

Lemmy, the "wild man" guitarist with heavy metal band, Motorhead was brought up on Anglesey where he acquired his distinctive nickname!

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