In North Wales

NORTH WALES
North Wales is easily accessible from Combermere along the A41 and then from Chester on the A55 dual carriageway which follows the North Wales coastline. The border is only 4 miles away, and can also be discovered on the A525 from Whitchurch to Wrexham and beyond

Useful websites for tourist information:
www.north-wales-tourism.com
www.visitwales.com
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

HIGHLIGHTS

Bodnant Gardens, Tal y Cafn, near Colwyn Bay off A470. Tel: 01492 650460. This National Trust Garden is one of the finest in the world, situated above the River Conwy looking across the valley towards the Snowdon range. The 80 acre garden features magnolias, camelias, daffodils, rhododendrons, azaleas and the world famous Laburnum arch. Wonderful colour throughout the summer. www.bodnantgarden.co.uk

Bodysgallen Hall, Llandudno, Conwy. Tel: 01492 584466. Originally a Mostyn house, this mansion and its gardens partly date from the 17th century. Beautifully restored in recent years, these fine terraced gardens include a water garden terrace with a formal rose garden and kitchen gardens. Open by appointment - tel 01492 584466 (Bodysgallen is also a hotel and restaurant which is open all year).

Bodelwyddan Castle, Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire. Tel: 01745 585060. 18th and 19th century landscape park with picturesque elements. Arts and crafts walled garden by TH Mawson and woodland walks. Open April to October daily, 10.30am-5pm; November to March daily (except Mondays and Fridays, 11am-4pm). www.bodelwyddancastle.co.uk

Hawarden Old Castle, Hawarden, Flintshire. Picturesque ruined castle, constructed c1280-c1474, was dismantled after the Civil War and slightly restored in the 19th century. Old Castle open Sundays 2-5pm from Easter to end of August.

Erdigg, near Wrexham. Tel: 01978 355314. Owned by the National Trust, this is one of the most fascinating houses in Britain, not least because of the unusually close relationship enjoyed by the family of the house and its servants. A beautiful and evocative range of outbuildings include a kitchen, laundry, bakehouse, stables, sawmill, smithy and joiner's shop. The state rooms display most of their original 18th and 19th century furniture and furnishings and the large walled garden has been restored to its 18th century formal design.

Snowdon Mountain Railway, Llanberis, Gwynedd. Located on the A4086. Tel: 0870 458 0033 The journey begins at Llanberis Station and continues through woodland and across an impressive viaduct before starting the long haul up to the mountain itself. On fine days, views from the summit take in the Isle of Man and the Wicklow mountains in Ireland. www.snowdonrailway.co.uk

Llechwedd Slate Caverns, Blaenau Ffestiniog. Off A470. Tel: 01766 830306. The Slate Caverns offer two underground rides. The Deep Mine tour begins with a ride on Britain's steepest passenger railway for a walk through ten sound and light sequences led by the ghost of a Victorian miner. The Miners' tramway is a guided tour with demonstrations of Victorian mining skills. www.llechwedd.co.uk

Plas Newydd, Hill Street, Llangollen. Tel: 01978 861314. Home of the Ladies of Llangollen (1780-1831) who created this much visited romantic garden including a woodland walk to the Gothic alcove with a stone font from Valle Crucis Abbey. Open daily Easter-October 10am to 5pm (last entry 4.15pm). www.denbighshire.gov.uk

Portmeirion Village and Gardens near Portmadog off A487. Tel: 01766 770000. This unique village is set on its own private peninsula on the southern shores of Snowdon. It was created by Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis to demonstrate how a naturally beautiful place could be developed without spoiling it. The village is set among 70 acres of sub-tropical woodland gardens. www.portmeirion-village.com

Caernarfon Castle off the A55. Tel: 01286 677617. Caernarfon is the one of the most striking and impressive medieval monuments in Wales. Built by Edward I, it is raised on a site rich in history and legend and was his capital and royal palace in Wales. Caernarfon is a World Heritage site.

Sun Centre, Rhyl located on the east side of Rhyl's promenade. Tel: 01745 344433. With water rides, slides and pools to suit all members of the family, the Sun Centre enjoys a warm tropical climate whatever the weather outside. The Sun Centre is the first leisure pool in Europe to feature Indoor Surfing. Rides include the 200 ft Black Hole and the Dragon slide along with many more water based activities. www.rhylsuncentre.co.uk

Tweedmill Factory Outlets just off A55, 2 miles south of St Asaph on A525 Denbigh Road. Tel: 01745 730072. Tweedmill was once a working mill, weaving tweed as the name suggests. The mill closed some time ago but now visitors can browse through more than 150,000 items of womenswear, menswear, home accessories, footwear, handbags, luggage and giftware. www.tweedmill.co.uk

OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST

Chirk Castle, Chirk, near Oswestry (National Trust) Tel: 01691 777701.
Conway Castle www.cadw.wales.gov.uk.
Harlech Castle www.cadw.wales.gov.uk.
Criccieth Castle, www.cadw.wales.gov.uk.
Valle Crucis Abbey, Llangollen, Clwyd www.cadw.wales.gov.uk.
Powis Castle, near Welshpool. Tel: 01938 551929; Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth. www.cat.org.uk