North Wales will hold happy memories for many of us with a wonderful coastline and a magical interior. The whole area is mostly rural and made up of 4 regions, the main towns are Wrexham, Rhyl, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno and Bangor all with a wonderful choice of self-catering holiday cottages. It includes the spectacular Snowdonia National Park, the gorgeous Llyn Peninsula and the mystical island of Anglesey.
There are two World Heritage Sites, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal and all the Edwardian castles and town walls of the region, the most outstanding are Caernarfon, Beaumaris, Conwy and Harlech Castles. Anglesey is a wonderful holiday destination and as soon as you drive over the impressive Menai Suspension Bridge you will be grabbed by its intrigue and charm. With one of the best coastlines in the world and a 125 mile path to guide you all the way, walkers, geologists and archaeologists will be in paradise; rugged cliffs, sandy beaches and coves, ancient sites and over 100 types of rock. Birdwatchers can look out for puffins, choughs, guillemots and razorbills balancing on the cliffs at South Stack.
County Conwy includes the lovely walled market town of Conwy right on the north coast with its wonderful castle boasting panoramic views of the area. Make sure you visit the famous seaside town of Llandudno which is a truly wonderful day out with lots of walks on the beaches or along the coastal paths. Walk up the Great Orme or catch the cable-hauled street tramway to enjoy fantastic sweeping views of this lovely town.
Gwynedd is a really diverse area with a wealth of wildlife, heritage and culture plus amazing walking and mountain bike trails. It is the second largest county in Wales and sparsely populated, perfect if you want to get away from it all in a holiday cottage. The Snowdonia National Park is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts with Betws-y-Coed at its heart, a pretty Victorian village with lovely shops and Swallow Falls nearby. The Llyn Peninsula attracts water sport enthusiasts and boasts its own micro-climate.
The North Wales Borders, now this is an area that has often changed shape throughout history but is now happy to start at the salt marshes of the River Dee run south past Chester to Welshpool following the route of Offa’s Dyke for part of the way. It’s a beautiful area of Wales with good access from England. Walkers will be spoilt for choice, long distance or circular walks, coastal walks, all with spectacular scenery.