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75 things to do in North Wales this summer
ANGLESEY
Wales' largest marine aquarium, containing a wide range of species, from native Welsh marine life to tropical specimens
Open daily 10am-6pm (last entry 4.45pm). Adults £7.25, child/seniors £6.25, family £24. Brynsiencyn, 01248 430411 or www.angleseyseazoo.co.uk
An opportunity to meet a wide variety of creatures, from butterflies to snakes to rabbits
Open daily 10am-5pm. Adults £5.95, child £4.95, concessions £5.30, family £19. Menai Bridge, 01248 712474 or www.pilipalas.co.uk
3 HENBLAS PARK
Activities for all the family. Sheep-shearing, sheepdog demonstrations, tractor tours, pony rides and adventure playground.
Open daily 10.30am-5pm. Adults £5, child £4, seniors £4.25, family £16. Llangefni, 01407 840440 or www.parc-henblas-park.co.uk
4 LLYNNON MILL
Wales' only working windmill, built in 1775. Now an agricultural museum producing flour
Open daily 11am-5pm. Adults £2, child and seniors £1, family £5.50. Llanddeusant, 01407 730797 or www.angleseyheritage.org
5 SEAWATCH CENTRE
A museum of Anglesey's maritime history. Climb aboard a real lifeboat, and learn about the history of sea rescue and maritime wildlife
Open Tues-Sat (plus Bank Holiday Mons), 11am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm. Admission free. Moelfre (town guide), 01248 410277 or www.angleseyheritage.org
6 BEAUMARIS CASTLE
Begun in 1295, the last and largest of King Edward I's Welsh fortifications
Open daily 9am-5pm. Adults £3.70, concessions £3.30, family £10.70. Beaumaris (town guide) 01443 336000 or www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
7 SOUTH STACK
Dramatic clifftop walks to the 19th century lighthouse and suspension bridge, featuring thousands of nesting seabirds
Natural attraction, no opening times or fee. Holy Island, Holyhead, 01407 764973 or www.angleseyheritage.org
8 FOEL FARM PARK
Experience the sights, sounds and smells of a real working farm, with pony rides, chances to meet and feed the farm animals
Open daily 10.30am-5.30pm. Adults £5.50, child £4.50, concessions £4.75. Brynsiencyn, 01248 430646 or www.foelfarm.co.uk
One of the UK's finest mansion house settings. Large gardens, walks, great views of Snowdonia and a military museum
Open Mon-Weds and Sat-Sun, 10.30am-5.30pm. Adults £7, child £3.50, family £17.50. Llanfairpwll (town guide), 01248 715272 or www.nationaltrust.org.uk
10 MARQUESS OF ANGLESEY'S COLUMN
Built in 1815, it offers spectacular views of the Menai Strait and Snowdonia
Open daily 9am-5pm. Adults £1.50, child/seniors 75p. Llanfairpwll (town guide), 01248 714393 or www.angleseyheritage.org
CEREDIGION
11 ABERYSTWYTH ELECTRIC CLIFF RAILWAY
The longest electric cliff railway in Britain has been transporting visitors up Constitution Hill since 1896
Open daily 10am-5pm. Adults £2.95, child £1.95, concessions £2.45, family £8.50. Aberystwyth, 01970 617642 or www.aberystwythcliffrailway.co.uk
12 NATIONAL LIBRARY OF WALES
Something of interest to everyone can be found among the vast array of collections and exhibitions
Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-6pm. Free. Aberystwyth, 01970 615709 or www.llgc.org.uk
13 LLYWERNOG SILVER MINE
Go deep underground into the caverns of this 18th century silver mine
Open daily 10am-6pm. Adults £7.50, child £3.95, concessions £6.75, family ticket £20. Aberystwyth, 01970 890620 or www.silverminetours.co.uk
14 ANIMALARIUM
Domestic and farm animals, exotic species in including leopard feeding every day at 4pm
Open daily 10am-6pm. Adults £7.50, child £5.50, concessions £6.50, family £24. Borth, 01970 871224 or www.animalarium.co.uk
15 CEREDIGION MUSEUM
Housed in a restored Edwardian theatre, holds objects of all ages
Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm. Admission free. Aberystwyth, 01970 633088 or www.ceredigion.gov.uk
CHESHIRE
16 CHESTER ZOO
Rare animals, botanical gardens, exhibitions, cafe and restaurant
Open school holidays 10am-6pm, last admission 4pm. Adults £14.95, child £10.95, family £49.50. Chester, 01244 380 280 or www.chesterzoo.org
17 BEESTON CASTLE
English Heritage run property standing majestically on a rocky crag. History trails, country walks
Open daily 10am-6pm. Adults £5, child £2.50, under 5s free, con £4. Beeston, Tarporley, 01829 260464
18 STAPELEY WATER GARDENS
World's largest water garden centre, endangered plants, exotic fish, restaurant
Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm (8pm Weds). Adult £4.95, child £2.95, concessions £4.45, water garden free. London Rd, Stapeley, Nantwich, 01270 628628 or www.stapeleywg.com
19 COTEBROOK SHIRE HORSE CENTRE
Home of renowned Cotebrook Shire Horse Stud, visitor centre, exhibitions, gift shop
Open daily 10am-5pm. Adults £6.50, concessions £5.50, child £4.50, family £20.50. Cotebrook, 01829 760506 or www.cotebrookshirehorses.co.uk
20 JODRELL BANK SCIENCE CENTRE
Observational centre and walks alongside famous Lovell Radio Telescope, picnic areas, Space cafe
Open daily 10.30am-5pm. Adults £2, child £1. Lower Withington, near Macclesfield, 01477 571339 or www.jodrellbank.manchester.ac.uk
CONWY
21 GREAT ORME COPPER MINES
Walk through tunnels mined over 3,500 years ago to get a feeling for the harsh conditions our prehistoric ancestors faced
Open daily 9.30am-5pm. Adults £6, child £4, under fives free. Great Orme, Llandudno (town guide), 01492 870447 or www.greatormemines.info
22 ORIEL MOSTYN GALLERY
Three West African exhibitions in Britain's smallest gallery on pavement while main gallery is refurbished
Open Tues-Sat (plus bank holidays) 10am-1pm, 1.30pm-5pm. Free. Heol Vaughan, Llandudno (town guide) 01492 879201 or www.mostyn.org
23 CONWY BUTTERFLY JUNGLE
Spectacular displays of tropical butterflies. Also tropical birds and fish pool
Open daily (not Tue) 10am-5.30pm. Adults £5, child £3.50. Bodlondeb, Bangor Rd, Conwy (town guide) 01492 593149 or www.conwy-butterfly.co.uk
24 HOME FRONT EXPERIENCE MUSEUM
Explore six years of war on the home front, captured in shops and room displays
Open daily 10am-4.30, Sun 11am-3pm. Adults £3, child £2. New Street, Llandudno (town guide), www.olle.co.uk/homefront
25 ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Travel down the Rabbit Hole and into Wonderland, check out one of best stockists of Alice in Wonderland goods
Open daily 10am-5pm. Adult £3.25, Child 2.50, OAP £2.95. Trinity Square, Llandudno (town guide), 01492 860 082 or www.wonderland.co.uk
26 BODAFON FARM PARK
See shire horses, llamas, alpacas, pygmy owls, cuddle the rabbits and play on miniature tractors
Open daily 10am-6pm. Adults £5.95, child £4.50, under threes free, senior citizens £4.50, family £16.50. Bodafon Fields, The Promenade, Llandudno (town guide), 01492 549 060 or www.bodafon.co.uk
27 CONWY CASTLE
Built by Edward I between 1283 and 1289. it is now run by Welsh historic monuments agency Cadw. Tour the castle and visit exhibitions
Open daily 9am-5pm. Adults £4.70, family £14. Castle St, Conwy (town guide), 01492 592358 or www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
28 LLANDUDNO SKI & SNOWBOARD CENTRE
Alpine environment, surrounded by magnificent views, 415ft above the Irish sea, ski, snowboard or toboggan.
Open daily 10am-10pm. Adults £13, juniors £10. Toboggan £4.50. John Nike Leisuresport Complex, Wyddfyd Road, Great Orme Llandudno (town guide), 01492 874707 or www.llandudnoskislope.co.uk
29 PLAS Y BRENIN NATIONAL MOUNTAIN CENTRE
Try climbing, canoeing or skiing for two hours each on taster days whether you're eight or 80. It includes state-of-the-art indoor wall and skiing on an artificial slope
Taster days from tomorrow until August 29. One two-hour session for £15 or all 3 activities in a day for £35. Plas y Brenin, Capel Curig, 01690 720214 www.pyb.co.uk
30 GWYDYR STABLES RIDING & TREKKING
Riding centre to soak up the glorious views while the horse takes the strain
Half day £14 or a full-day (six hours) £53. Or ride between pubs for £40 (not including food). Near Betws y Coed (town guide) 01690 760248 or www.horse-riding-wales-co.uk
DENBIGHSHIRE
31 RUTHIN GAOL
Stands on a site that was first used as a prison in 1684 and closed in 1916. See how prisoners lived in a building partly used as the County Record Office
Open daily 10am-5pm. Adults £3.50, child and senior citizens £2.50, family £10. Clwyd Street, Ruthin, 01824 708250 or www.ruthingaol.co.uk
32 RHUDDLAN CASTLE
Begun in 1277, this was the second of Edward I's great Welsh forts fortifications. A protected river dock forms one side of the defences of this concentrically planned castle dominated by a diamond-shaped inner ward
Open daily 10am-5pm. Adults £3.10 adults, child £2.70, family £8.90. Castle Street, Rhuddlan, Rhyl, 01745 590777 or www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
33 LLANGOLLEN RAILWAY
Runs trains for seven and a half miles along the River Dee banks to Carrog through beautiful scenery. New rails and trails walks from August 9-17
Open daily. Adults £9, OAP £7, child £4.50. Embark at Llangollen (town guide) or Carrog Stations, 01978 860979 or www.llangollen-railway.co.uk
Thomas the Tank family day out
Go on a voyage of discovery and see sturgeon, sharks, rays, lobsters, conger eels and the Lethal Reef's poisonous animals
Open daily 10am till 5pm. Adults £6.50, child £5.25, OAP £5.25, Family £24.99. East Parade, Rhyl (town guide), 01745 344660 or www.seaquarium.co.uk
35 RHYL SUN CENTRE
Dare to ride the rapids on a tube, descend over 300ft on The Buzz ride or simply enjoy the pool in tropical warmth. Relatives can watch in comfort from the poolside
Open Tues-Fri 11am-4.30pm, Sat & Sun 10.30am-5.15pm. Closed Mondays. Adult & child £7.95, Fri evening £4. East Parade, Rhyl (town guide), 01745 344433 or www.rhylsuncentre.co.uk
36 LLANGOLLEN MUSEUM
Learn about the history of Llangollen and Llantysilio plus surrounding areas with documentary evidence and photographs in a centre opened in 2002
Open daily 10am-5pm, Weds 1pm-5pm. Free. Parade Street, Llangollen (town guide), 01978 862862 or www.llangollenmuseum.org.uk
Daily horse drawn boat trips in summer holidays along the feeder for the main canal, or a motorised aqueduct cruise along Thomas Telford's Pontcysyllte Aqueduct built by Thomas Telford
Daily from 11am. Adults £5, child £2.50, family £12.50. Llangollen Wharf, (town guide) 01978 860702 or www.horsedrawnboats.co.uk
38 DENBIGH CASTLE
Visit the 13th castle whose finest feature is its striking triple-towered Great Gatehouse bearing the unmistakable stamp of Master James of St George
Open daily 10am-5pm. Adults £3.10, concessions £2.70, family £8.90. Castle St, Denbigh, 01443 336105 or www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
39 PRESTATYN BEACHES
Stroll on the Promenade or relax on Barkby Beach, Central Beach and Ffrith Beach. A promenade joins the three beaches, and, at around 4 miles in length, is popular for leisurely strolls and cycling
Open daily. Free admission. Prestatyn, 01745 889092 or www.prestatyn.org.uk
40 NOVA CENTRE
Neptune's Pool and swimming lessons for all. Youngsters can use the FunZone with inflatables, plus aquafit sessions and swim to music
Open daily. Adults £2.90, child £2.10. Central Beach, Prestatyn, 01745 888021 or www.prestatynnova.co.uk
FLINTSHIRE
41 GREENFIELD VALLEY HERITAGE PARK
Farm animals, country walks, historic Basingwerk Abbey ruins, reconstructed farm buildings, adventure playground, shop and museum
Open daily 10am-4.30pm. Adults £3.50, child £2, disabled £2.60. Basingwerk House, Greenfield Valley, Greenfield, 01352 714172 or www.greenfieldvalley.com
42 ABSEILING LOGGERHEADS, MOLD
Arrange a half day abseiling and then lunch in Caffi Florence and use the rest of the day to enjoy the scenic walking trails of Loggerheads Country Park
Park open daily. Park free, abseiling depends on numbers and times. Loggerheads, near Mold, Abseiling 07950 103872 or freephone 0800 4488077. Park www.denbighshire.gov.uk
43 SHOTWICK LAKE SAILING
Dinghy racing, summer windsurfing taster sessions autumn regatta in September
Opening times vary. Prices depend on session. Shotwick Lake Sailing Club, Weighbridge Road, Deeside Industrial Estate, 01244 280822 or www.shotwicksailing.org
Woodland rich in wildlife and history, stretching from Connah's Quay to the ruins of Ewloe Castle, walks and visitor centre
Park open daily, visitor centre open 9am-5pm. Wepre Drive, Connah's Quay, 01244 814931 or www.flintshire.gov.uk
45 FREE SWIMMING FOR KIDS
Kids can splashabout for free in school holidays at swimming pools in Mold, Buckley, Flint and Connah's Quay
Open times vary. Free. Mold 01352 756116, Buckley 01244 544469, Flint 01352 733677, Connah's Quay 01244 819561 or www.flintshire.gov.uk
46 RAGAMUFFINS
Indoor play centre for kids with biggest indoor wavy slide in the UK coffee bar, cakes
Open Mon-Sat, 9.30am-6.30pm, Sun 10am-5pm. Children £3 (weekends £3.75). Sabre House, Bridge St, Saltney, 0845 0066220 or www.ragamuffins.co.uk
Stroll round or sit and relax in manicured gardens, where statues, memorials, visitor centre are dedicated to pets
Open daily. Free. Brynford, near Holywell, 01352 710500 or www.petfuneralservices.co.uk
48 HOPE MOUNTAIN
Attractive heather covered park with extensive views of Cheshire and the Clwydian Hills
Open daily. Free. Hope, 01244 814931 or www.flintshire.gov.uk
Olympic size ice pad, fun skating sessions, disco and ice hockey
Open daily 10.30am-3.30pm, disco 7.30-10pm, Weds, Fri, Sat. Adults £3.70, junior £2.90, family £10.30, skate hire £1.40. Deeside Leisure Centre, Chester Road West, Queensferry, 01244 814725 or www.flintshire.gov.uk
50 DEESIDE INDOOR KARTING CENTRE
Arrive and drive, full grand prix, enduro racing, 350m indoor go-karting track and cadet karts for junior drivers. Cafe, winners' prizes, lap time computer print-outs
Open daily from 11am. Adults from £13. Babbage Rd, Engineer Park, Sandycroft, 01244 531652 or www.thecircuit.co.uk
GWYNEDD
51 ROPEWORKS
Experience fun and safe adventure on the thrilling Adventure Rope Coursezip line and climbing wall
Open daily 9.30am-5pm.Adults and child £20. Pwllheli. 01766 819187 or www.ropeworks.co.uk
52 ENLLI CHARTER SEA SAFARIS
Trips to Bardsey and Gwylan Islands, or St Tudwal's Island, with opportunities to see seals dolphins, porpoises and puffins
Departures from Pwllheli 8.45am, from Porth Meudwy, Aberdaron 10am & 11am (subject to weather). Bardsey & Gwylan Islands £30, St Tudwal's Island £20. Pwllheli 0845 8113655 or www.enllicharter.co.uk
Edge of Wales organised walks.
53 PENRHYN CASTLE
Gothic fantasy with large grounds, formal Victorian walled garden, Victorian kitchens, railway and doll museums, furniture and art collections
Open daily (except Tues) 11am-5pm. Adults £9, child £4.50, family £22.50. Bangor (town guide), 01248 371337 or www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Giant drop slides, ball pools, tubes, bridges, maze, climbing walls, nets and ropes to keep the kids thoroughly entertained
Open daily 10am-5pm. Adults £2, child £5.25. Caernarfon 01286 671911 or www.thefuncentre.co.uk
55 GYPSY WOOD PARK
Set in 20 acres of natural beauty, this features Wales' largest miniature railway, a wetland walk, a variety of animals and a Fairy Godmother
Open daily 10.30am-5pm. Adults £5.25, child £4.20, concessions £4.75, family £16.70. Bontnewydd, Caernarfon 01286 673133 or www.gypsywood.co.uk
Explore lofty wall walks, twin-towered gatehouse and exhibitions and Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum
Open daily 9am-5pm. Adults £5.10, concessions £4.70, family £15. Caernarfon 01443 336000 or www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
57 GREENWOOD FOREST PARK
Green Dragon rollercoaster, adventure playground, den building, archery and Jungle Boat Adventure
Open daily 10am-5.30pm. Adults £9.80, child £8.95, seniors £9.20, family £33.60. Y Felinheli 01248 671493 or www.greenwoodforestpark.co.uk
Scale the highest mountain in Wales in comfort by letting the train take the strain - at least halfway
Trains daily from 9am-5pm. Adults £15, child £11, concessions £12. Llanberis 0871 7200033 or www.snowdonrailway.co.uk
59 SYGUN COPPER MINE
Explore winding tunnels and large chambers of this historic mine. Stalactite and stalagmite formations plus Bronze Age, Roman and medieval artefacts
Open daily 9.30am-5pm. Adults £7.99, child £5.99, seniors £6.99, family £26. Beddgelert 01766 890595 or www.sygun-coppermine.co.uk
60 LLOYD GEORGE MUSEUM
Discover the life and times of ex-prime minister, recreated as it was when Lloyd George lived there between 1864-1880
Open daily, 10.30am-5pm. Adults £4, concessions £3, family £10. Llanystumdwy, Criccieth 01766 522071 or www.gwynedd.gov.uk
Doc Fictoria, Caernarfon
LL55 1TH
Tel: 01286 678634
For the first time the best of Wales' products are brought together in this specially designed 14,000sq ft store.
The best food and drink, textiles and clothing, ceramics and pottery, traditional crafts, jewellery, glass products, furniture, quality giftware, music and books from Wales and other Celtic regions have been sourced and brought to Caernarfon to create a unique shopping experience.
POWYS
61 CENTRE FOR ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Inspiring array of interactive displays and practical examples of sustainable living, renewable energy and organic gardening
Open daily 10am-5.30pm. Adults £8.40, child £4.20, concessions £7.40. Machynlleth, 01654 705950, www.cat.org.uk
62 KING ARTHUR'S LABYRINTH
See ancient Welsh legends as you sail along a subterranean river, through a great waterfall and into the past
Open daily 10am-5pm. Adults £6.50, child £4.65, OAPs £5.85. Corris, Machynlleth, 01654 761584 or www.kingarthurslabyrinth.com
63 SPACEGUARD CENTRE
Astronomical observatory studying asteroids and comets, with a planetarium, camera obscura, meteorite exhibition and telescopes
Open Weds-Sun (and bank holidays), tours 10.30am, 2pm & 4pm. Adults £5, child £2.50. Knighton, 01547 520247 or www.spaceguarduk.com
64 POWIS CASTLE & GARDEN
Medieval castle rising above garden's Italianate terraces, with collection of paintings and furniture, plus Indian treasures in the Clive Museum
Open daily (except Tues), 11am-5.30pm. Adults £9.45, child £4.73, family £23.63. Welshpool 01938 551944 or www.nationaltrust.org.uk
65 LLANIDLOES MUSEUM
Exhibitions on the area's development during the last three centuries and its natural history
Open daily (except Weds) 11am-1pm, 2pm-5pm. Adults £1, child free, concessions 50p. Llanidloes 01686 413777 or www.llanidloes.com
WREXHAM
66 BANGOR-ON-DEE RACES
Family fun evening July 22, ladies day, August 1 Wrexham Race Day August 16, and Dee Festival, September 12
Open depends on race times. Varied priced. Bangor-on-Dee, Wrexham, 01978 780 323 or www.bangorondeeraces.co.uk
67 BERSHAM HERITAGE CENTRE
Industrial history collections and Victorian schoolroom, or watch blacksmiths at work
Open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat Sun (and bank holidays) noon-5pm. Free. Bersham, Wrexham, 01978 261 529, www.wrexham.gov.uk
68 TECHNIQUEST
NEWI science-based discovery centre with year round activities always something new to see and do
Open Tues-Fri 10am-3.30pm (Sat & Sun from 11am). Adults and child £4. Plas Coch, Mold Road, Wrexham, North Wales, 01978 293400 or www.techniquest-newi.org
69 BLUE BEARS PLAYBARN
Fun for kids, 21ft long astra slide, sports arena, look out tower, party facilities and cafe
Open daily 10am-6pm. Under 3 £3.50, over 3, £3.75. Unit 106 Coed Aben Road, Wrexham Industrial Estate, Wrexham, 01978 660126 or www.bluebears.co.uk
70 PLAS POWER ADVENTURE
Indoor climbing wall, high rope course, archery, orienteering, team building courses, cafe and shop. Beginners must book induction lesson
Open Mon-Fri 5pm-10pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm. Adults £40 (For 2), youth £30 (2 Youths + 1 Adult). Plas Power Road, Southsea, Wrexham, 01978 754747, www.plaspoweradventure.co.uk
71 WATERWORLD
Leisure and activity centre with three pools, flume, rapids river ride and bubble pool
Open Mon-Fri 7am-7.30pm (Tues to 6pm), Sat-Sun 9am-5pm. Adults £3.90, child £2.50. Bodhyfryd, 01978 297300 or wrexham.gov.uk
72 THE GARDEN HOUSE
Five acre garden overlooking River Dee, sculptures, parterre, lily pond, Victorian dovecote, secret garden, national hydrangea collection, tearoom, shop.
Open Mon-Fri 10-5pm, Sat 1-5pm Sun 2-5pm, Adults £4 child free. Erbistock, near Wrexham, 01978 781149 or www.simonwingett.com
73 WREXHAM TENNIS CENTRE
Indoor and outdoor pay‘n'play tennis open to the public, six indoor and 10 outdoor courts
Open Mon-Thurs 7am-11pm, Fri 7am-9pm, Sat 8am-9pm, Sun 9am-9pm. Outdoor court £5, indoor £5-£14. North Wales Regional Tennis Centre, Plas Coch Road, Wrexham, 01978 265 260 or www.nwrtc.co.uk
74ERDDIG Historic
Country house and museum with 18th century gardens, parkland, horse carriage rides, bicycle hire, cafe and shop
Open daily (except Fri) house noon-5pm, garden 10am-6pm. Adults £9.40, child £4.70. Erddig, near Wrexham, 01978 355 314 or www.nationaltrust.org.uk
75THE VENTURE
Large childrens' adventure playground on Caia Park estate, sports and play equipment for all ages
Open daily. Free. Garner Road, Wrexham, 01978 355761 or www.the-venture.co.uk
