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Great days out in North Wales
1 Inigo Jones Slate Works
Founded in 1861 producing school writing slates, now produces craft and garden products. Workshop tours and exhibitions.
Open daily 10am-5pm, adults £4.50, junior £4 Tudor Slate Works, Y Groesion, Caernarfon, 01286 830242 or www.inigojones.co.uk
2 Glasfryn Parc
Karting, bowling, quad biking, fishing, archery and a kids zone in one activity centre.
Open daily from 10am, prices vary according to activity.
Y Ffôr, Pwllheli, 01766 810202, or www.glasfryn.co.uk
3 King Arthur's Labyrinth
Sail along an underground river deep inside the spectacular caverns into a world of myths, legends and storytelling.
Open daily 10am-5pm until Nov 2, adult £6.50, seniors £5.85, junior £4.65.
Corris Craft Centre, Corris, Machynlleth, 01654 761584 or www.kingarthurslabyrinth.com
4 Talyllyn Railway
Historic, steam railway operated by volunteers, runs for seven and a quarter miles through Fathew valley.
Open Sundays winter, trains run daily until January 3, 2009. For timetables call 01654 710472 or www.talyllyn.co.uk.
Talyllyn Railway Company, Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd.
5 Llechwedd Slate Caverns
Tour deep underground mines, ride on the historic tramway, visit the Victorian village, souvenirs, sweet shop and cafe.
Open daily, first tour into mines 10.15am, last in winter 4.15pm, adult £9.25, junior £7.
Llechwedd Slate Caverns, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, 01766 830306 or www.llechwedd-slate-caverns.co.uk
6 Dragon Raiders Paintball Park
Located in 30 acres forest on the Llyn peninsula. Day and evening sessions, cafe, shop and rest area on site.
Open daily, booking essential, prices £5-£25, 01766 523119 or www.dragonraiderspaintball.com.
Dragon Raiders Paintball Park, Criccieth
7 Seaquarium
See up close underwater creatures from tropical fish-lobsters, conger eels and axolotls.
Open daily 10am-5pm, adult £6.50, junior £5.50, family £24.99. East Parade, Rhyl, Tel 01745 344660, or www.seaquarium.co.uk
8 Pili Palas Nature World
Visit a tropical environment full of lush vegetation, waterfalls, butterflies, birds, reptiles, insect life and farm animals.
Open daily 10am-5pm, adults £5.95. junior £4.95. Penmynydd Road, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, 01248 712474 or www.pilipalas.co.uk
9 Plas Menai National Watersports Centre
Choice of watersports and mountain sport courses including dinghy sailing, windsurfing, powerboating, canoe and kayaking, yacht sailing, climbing and mountain biking.
Youth adventure day course 9am-5pm, £30 per day, 01248 673943 or www.plasmenai.co.uk.
Plas Menai, Caernarfon
10 Conwy Castle
Medieval castle towering over Conwy estuary against the dramatic backdrop of Snowdonia mountains.
Open daily 9.30am-4pm Mon-Sat, 11am-4pm Sun, adults £4.70, junior £4.20. Conwy Castle, Conwy, 01443 33 6000 or www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
11 Gladstone Exhibition
Commemorates the life of prime minister William Gladstone, of Hawarden, who founded St Deniol's Library in 1889. It includes personal memorabilia.
Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-1.30pm until December 31, free entry. St Deniol's Library, Hawarden, 01244 532350 or www.st-deiniols.com
12 Welsh Mountain Zoo
Exotic animals, beautiful gardens, panoramic views and breathtaking scenery set in the hills above Colwyn Bay.
Shop, cafe and picnic areas and chance-watch zoo-keepers feed the animals.
Open daily 9.30am- 5pm, adult £8.75, junior £6.40, family £27.45. Flagstaff Gardens, Old Highway, Colwyn Bay, 01492 532938 or www.welshmountainzoo.org
13 Redline Indoor Karting
Indoor karting circuit offering everything from taster session-race.
Open daily 10am-10pm, booking essential, prices from £6-£30.
Zone 6, Stad Ddiwydiannol, Cibyn Industrial Estate,Caernarfon, 01286 66 95 15 or www.redlineindoorkarting.co.uk
14 North Wales Tennis Centre
Indoor and outdoor courts, gym and physiotherapy centre, lessons, players' relaxation area, book individual games, lessons, tournaments.
Open daily from 7am-10pm Mon-Thurs, 7am-9pm Fri, 8am-9pm Sat, 9am-9pm Sun. Plas Coch Road, Wrexham, 01978 265 260, or www.nwrtc.co.uk
15 Portmeirion
Italianate village with craft shops, restaurants, fascinating architecture and follies. gardens, and coastal views.
Open daily 9.30am-5.30pm, adults £7, junior £3.50. Minffordd, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, 01766 772311, or www.portmeirion-village.com
16 Pen y Ffrith Bird Garden
Superb collection of waterfowl, pheasants, rheas, owls, plus Pygmy goats, all in beautiful woodland setting. Also a bog walk, fernery, pools, waterfalls.
Open until Nov 30, adults £6, junior £4, family £18.
Pen-y-Ffrith Bird Gardens, Ms. Nicola Minshull, Llandegla Road, Llanarmon-yn-Lal, Denbighshire, 01824 780501 or www.pen-y-ffrithbirdgardens.co.uk
17 Deeside Ice Rink
Ice skating sessions and lessons, ice hockey and discos on ice.
Details 01244 814725, or www.siryfflint.gov.uk
Skating from £3.10 weekdays Deeside Leisure Centre Chester Road West, Queensferry, Flintshire
18 Rob Piercy Art Gallery
Converted Porthmadog warehouse with four exhibiting spaces, as well as his studio, also a range of craftwork.
Open 10am-5pm, Mon-Sat. Rob Piercy Art Gallery, Porthmadog, 01766 513833 or www.robpiercy.co.uk
19 Harlech Castle
Impressive twin-towered gatehouse and four round corner towers, and a World Heritage Site.
Giftshop and site exhibitions.
Open winter Mon-Sat 9.30am-4pm, Sun 11am-4pm, adult £3.70, concession £3.30, family £10.70
Castle Square, Harlech, 01766 780552, or www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
20 Ty Siamas National Centre for Welsh Folk Music
Interactive exhibitions, concerts, cafe bar, shop, recording studio, group tailored visits and bespoke entertainment available.
For opening times and concert programmes 01341 421800, or www.tysiamas.com
Ty Siamas, Neuadd Idris, Eldon Square, Dolgellau
21 Tree Top Adventure, Snowdonia
High level fun among the trees negotiating a series of obstacles.
Participants are fitted with a harness and helmet and attached to a safety line which will catch you should you fall.
Open daily 9am-4pm until Nov 30. The Woodland, next-Efridd Rhedyn, Llanrwst Road, Betws y Coed, Conwy, 0870 803 1106, or www.ttadventure.co.uk
22 Quaker Heritage Centre
Learn about the Quaker community that once lived in North Wales, their persecution and eventual emigration to Pennsylvania. Includes an audio visual presentation.
Open Thurs- Mon 10am-5pm in winter, free entry. Ty Meirion, Sgwar Eldon Square, Dolgellau, Tel 01341 424680
23 Lloyd George Museum
Exhibition devoted to the life and times of David Lloyd George from junior to Prime Minister. Includes film show, a Victorian schoolroom, library and shop.
Open Mon-Fri 11am-4pm,Lloyd George Museum, Llanystumdwy, Criccieth, Tel 01766 522071
24 Ffrith Beach Fun Park
Fun zone with children's activities, 10 pin bowling, Quad bikes. kiddies rides, refreshments. Access-beach and sand dunes.
Open daily 10am-10.30pm, free, prices of funfair rides and activities vary.
Victoria Road West, Prestatyn, Tel 01745 855126, or www.ffrith.com
25 Afonwen Crafts and Antiques Centre
Two floors of crafts rooms, exhibitions, antiques sales, gift shop and restaurant.
Open daily except Mons 9.30am-5.30pm, free. Afonwen Antiques Gift and Craft Centre, Afonwen, near Caerwys, 01352 720 965, or www.afonwen.co.uk
26 Ruthin Crafts Centre
Newly opened following an Arts Council for Wales funded transformation. Three galleries, six art studios, shop, education and residency. workshops, tourist information and terraced café.
Open daily 10am-5.30pm, free entry. Park Road, Ruthin, 01824 704774, or www.ruthincraftcentre.org.uk
27 National Library of Wales
One of the world's great libraries with everything you'd expect, even art collections ad historic books, state of the art research facilities, art and history collections.
Open 9 30am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9 30am-5pm Sat , free.
The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, 01970 632 800 or www.llgc.org.uk
28 National Portrait Gallery, Bodelwyddan
Portraits from the 19th Century collections of the London-based national museum.
Also includes Victorian furniture. Also collections of furniture from the Victoria & Albert Museum, and sculpture from the Royal Academy of Arts.
Open daily except Fri until October 31, 10 30am-5pm; from November 1 Thurs 10.30am - 5pm, Sat-Sun 10 30am-4pm, adults £5, junior £2.
Bodelwyddan Castle, Bodelwyddan, 01745 584060 or www.bodelwyddan-castle.co.uk
29 Loggerheads Country Park
Scenic nature trails, mountainous walks and easier strolls by the River Alyn. Countryside visitor centre, cafe, shop and toilets.
Free access daily. Loggerheads, near Mold, or www.denbighshire.gov.uk
30 Moel Arthur, Denbighshire
Take in amazing views from the mountain summit, including Pen y Cloddiau. Moel Arthur is crowned by a circular fort.
Free access daily. Part of Moel Fammu Country Park, near Nannerch, Denbighshire, signposted from Mold, Ruthin and Denbigh roads.
31 Anglesey Sea Zoo
Wales' largest marine aquarium. Founded in 1983, the zoo is an exhibition of living sealife. from around UK coast.
Open daily 10am-6pm during half term. Normal opening times weekdays 10am-4.30pm, Sat & Sun 10am-5.30pm.
Adults £7.25, junior £6.25. Brynsienicyn, Anglesey, 01248 430 411, or www.angleseyseazoo.co.uk
32 Animalarium
Collection of unusual and interesting animals to amuse and delight, even endangered and exotic species.
Open daily October 10am-6pm; November 11am-4pm; adults £7.50, junior £5.50. Borth, near Aberystwyth, 01970 871224, or www.animalarium.co.uk
33 The Fun Centre, Caernarfon
Award winning play centre for youngsters. with climbing, go karts, maze, ball pools, slides and swinging steps. cafe and party room.
Open daily from 10am in school holidays, varies at other times. Christchurch, Bangor Street, Caernarfon, 01286 671911, or www.thefuncentre.co.uk
34 Parc Glynllifon
Beautiful park with 70 acres of exotic trees and plantlife. Shop and cafe.
Open daily 10am-5pm. Llandwrog, Gwynedd, 01286 830222 (cafe 01286 830232)
35 Plas Glyn-y-Weddw Gallery
Listed Gothic mansion housing art exhibitions. and workshops, lovely gardens, cafe, art courses, lectures and concerts.
Open daily except Tuesday 10am-5pm (limited opening in January) Llanbedrog, Pwllheli, 01758 740763, or www.oriel.org.uk
36 Beacon Climbing Centre
Outdoor and indoor climbing centre for all ages., with an indoor wall, taster sessions and more advanced courses.
Open 11am-10pm Mon-Fri, 10am-10pm weekends, prices from £15 per person for a group of eight. Ceunant, Caernarfon, 01286 650045, or www.beaconclimbing.com
37 Llandudno Museum
Learn about the history of Llandudno from roman times to modern day.
Visit a Welsh kitchen, see, find out about the local copper mines and how Llandudno fared in wartime.
Open Tues-Sat 1.30pm-4.30pm from November
38 Ceredigion Museum
Based in a beautiful old theatre, the museum looks at all aspects of traditional life in Ceredigion. including its seafaring and lead mining traditions.
Open Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm. Admission free. Coliseum, Terrace Road, Aberystwyth, 01970 633088, or www.ceredigion.gov.uk
39 Royal Cambrian Academy
Three dimensional work, ceramic sculpture and paintings until November 16 followed by paintings and Christmas crafts from Nov 22-Dec 21.
Open Tues-Sat 1pm-4.30pm. RCA, Crown Lane, Conwy, 01492 593413, or www.rcaconwy.org
40 Conwy Water Gardens
Aquatic centre, reptile house, fishery and fully licensed pancake cafe.
Open daily except Mons from 9.30am Glyn Isa, Conwy, 01492 650063, www.conwywatergardens.co.uk
41 Techniquest - NEWI
Science-based discovery centre with hands-on activities.
Open Tues- Fri from 10am, weekends from 11am. Last admission 3.30pm.
Adults & juniors from £4, Under 4s free. Glyndr University Campus, Mold Road, Wrexham, 01978 293400, or www.techniquest-newi.org
42 Greenwood Forest Park
Half term offers a last few days to enjoy this eco friendly fun park. park where the activities include the world's first people-powered roller coaster.
Open daily 11am-5pm before closing for winter from November 1, adults £8.10, junior £6.85. Greenwood Forest Park, Y Felinheli, 01248 670076, or www.greenwoodforestpark.co.uk
43 Piggery Pottery
Throw your own pot, plus play area, workshop tour and pebble painting for kids.
Open until Oct 31 weekdays 9am-5.30pm, weekends 10am-5.30pm. From Nov 1 weekdays 10.30am - 4.30pm, weekends noon-4pm, free, prices of pots vary.
Ddol Helyg, Cwm Y Glo, near Llanberis, 01286 871 931, or www.piggerypottery.co.uk
44 Powis Castle
Built by Welsh princes, with world-famous gardens, Italianate terraces, and collection of colonial treasures.
Castle/museum open 1-4pm.
Garden/restaurant open 11am-4.30pm. Closed Tues & Weds.
Closes for winter on November 2, but cafe still open weekends 10am-3pm until November 29.
Admission adult £10.50, junior £5.25; garden only adult £7.50, junior £3.75. Welshpool, Powys, 01938 551944, or www.nationaltrust.org.uk
45 Plas Power Adventure
Indoor climbing wall, new high rope course, archery and orienteering. and team building courses, café and shop.
Open Mon-Weds 5pm-10pm, Thurs-Fri 10am-2pm & 5pm-10pm, Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 10am-4pm.
Adult inductions - climbing £40 (two people), youth inductions £30 (2 junior and one adult) archery taster from £15.
Plas Power Road, Southsea, Wrexham, 01978 754 747, or www.plaspoweradventure.co.uk
46 Chirk Castle
Magnificent medieval Welsh fortress owned by National Trust. Gardens, lime tree avenue and yew topiary, woodland walks and visitor centre.
Open 11am-4pm. Closed Mon and Tues.
Closes for winter November 2.
Admission adult £8.80, junior £4.40; garden only adult £6.20, junior £3.10. Chirk, near Wrexham.
Tel 01691 777701 or or www.nationaltrust.org.uk
47 Llandudno Ski and Snowboard Centre
Dry ski, snowboarding and toboggan run. open sessions and club events.
Open daily 10am-10pm, adult sessions from £13, junior £10. Llandudno Ski Centre, John Nike Leisuresport Complex, Great Orme,Llandudno.
01492 874707, or www.llandudnoskislope.co.uk
48 Llandudno Heritage Centre
Railway exhibition. The displays, dating from 1858-2008 showing the history and changes in railways throughout the UK.
Free. Open 11am-2pm. Upper Mostyn Street, Llandudno.
01492 548125
49 Machynlleth lantern procession and fireworks.
November 3 (nov 1) 6.30pm. Starts at ATS base then to the Leisure Centre.
Fireworks 7.30pm in the Football field behind the Leisure Centre.
Adults £5, junior £2.50, Family £13. 07980 337951
50 Bodnant Garden
Autumn colour. Guided walk November 4 with head gardener Troy Smith.
Open 10am-5pm until Nov 2, Adults £7.20, junior £3.60.
Tal-y-Cafn, Conwy Valley 01492 860123 or www.nationaltrust.org.uk
51 Across Anglesey
Music and drama workshops for seven to 18-year-olds in Newborough, Brynsiencyn, Aberffraw, Gaerwen, Valley & Beaumaris, plus others.
Project called Mônswn run by Bocswn and Theatr Ieuenctid Môn.
Free, morning and afternoons, 01248 725732 or www.youthmusicweek.org.uk
52 Aberconwy House
Ghost Stories in the House. Feel shivers down your spine on this guided tour-explore this 500-year-old house's spectral happenings.
Sunday 3pm Castle Street, Conwy
01492 592246 or www.nationaltrust.org.uk
ACROSS THE BORDER
53 Tatton Park, Hallowe'en
Help solve a Horrible History Mystery and may see or sense some ghostly residents, hair-raising residents. Face painting and mask making.
Open noon-5pm. Adults £4, junior £2 family £10. National Trust members free. 01625 374400
54 Chester Zoo
More than 7,000 animals and 400 different species, including some of the most endangered species on the planet.
From free-flying bats to cute lion cubs, plus play areas.
Daily 10am-5pm. Adults £14.95, juniors £10.95, family £49.50. 01244 380280 or www.chesterzoo.or
55 Redhouse Farm
Join in Spooktacular Week as part of the venue's Halloween celebrations, visit the creepy cottage for children's games, take the barrel train round the enchanted field, experience a balloon typhoon or join a fancy dress parade.
Open noon-7pm until Sun, then oct 27-31 noon-8pm, prices vary according-activities. Dunham Massey, Altrincham, 0161 941 3480, or www.redhousefarm.co.uk
56 Catalyst
October half term Spooky Science Show, follow a ghostly trail around the galleries then discover how to make swamp fog and slime.
Open Tues-Fri 10am-5pm, weekends 11am-5pm, adults £4.95, junior £3.95, family £17.95. Mersey Road, Widnes, 0151 420 1121, or www.catalyst.org.uk
57 Ness Gardens
Beautiful historic gardens with visitor centre, cafe, gift shop and plant nursery.
Open daily 10am-5pm. Adults £5.75, junior £2.75. Ness, Neston, South Wirral, Tel 0151 353 0123 or www.liv.ac.uk/nessgardens
58 Wirral Tramway and Transport Museum
Trams dating from as early as 190, take a journey between the museum and Woodside. Fleet includes a recently restored Lisbon tram.
Open Sat & Sunday 1 - 5pm, museum free, tram trips adult £1.20, concessions 60p,
Taylor Street, Birkenhead, 0151 647 2128, or www.wirraltransportmuseum.org
59 Walker Art Gallery
One of the most impressive collections of art outside London, including sculpture, 20th century British and European old masters. and Victorian and pre-Raphaelite paintings.
Open daily 10am-5pm, free William Brown Street, Liverpool, 0151 478 4199, or www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker
60 Aerial Extreme Sports
Large adventure ropes courses at Knowsley Safari Park with 60 fun packed obstacles. Suitable for anyone over 1.1m tall (about 6yrs old).
Open 10am-5pm until October 26 and then 10am-4pm until October 31.
Then weekends only 10am-4pm until December 14.
Adult £10, junior £10 per junior, park £7. Knowsley Safari Park , Merseyside, 0845 652 1736 or www.aerialextreme.co.uk
61 Chill Factore Ski Slope
Supercool fun on skis, sledge or snowboard in real snow. Taster sessions and lessons, play area and cafe also available.
Open 9am-11pm weekends, Weds open from 7.30am, other weekdays from 10am.
Prices vary depending on activity. Trafford Way, Trafford Quays Leisure Village, Manchester, 0161 749 2222, or www.chillfactore.com
62 Manchester Airport Tour Centre
Operated by The Aviation Society, experienced official guides, viewing park has superb views of runways, tour Concorde, look down the nose of the aircraft.
Tours must be pre-booked, price £12 per person, 0161 489 3932 or www.tasmanchester.com
