14c Fair
Easter days out in North Wales
ANGLESEY
PLAS NEWYDD - Home of the Marquess of Anglesey, this National Trust property offers gardens, woodland walks, a military museum and one of Wales' finest country mansions
Open Sat-Weds noon-5pm. Adults £7, child £3.50, families £17.50. Garden only £5, child £2.50. Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Anglesey 01248 715272 or nationaltrust.org.uk
HOLYHEAD BREAKWATER LAND TRAIN - Runs daily over Easter from Newry Beach to the Breakwater Country Park, with one daily train (2pm, £1 extra) running to the end of Wales' longest breakwater
Open noon-4pm, on the hour. Adult £2.50 return, child £1.50. Newry Beach, Holyhead 01407 760357 or holyheadbreakwater.com
WYLFA NUCLEAR POWER STATION - The visitor centre contains an exhibition on nuclear power and power stations, a cafe and souvenir shop. There's also a nature trail, with many specially sited bird boxes
Open daily, 10am-4pm. No admission charge. Cemaes, Anglesey 01407 711400 or bnfl.com
ANGLESEY SEA ZOO - Wales' largest marine aquarium founded in 1983, the zoo is an exhibition of living sealife from around the coast of Wales and the rest of the UK
Open seven days a week, 10am-6pm. Adults £6.25, children £7.95, families £24. Brynsiencyn, Anglesey 01248 430411 or angleseyseazoo.co.uk
ANGORA BUNNY FARM - Discover how to care for the angora rabbits and clip their incredibly dense, soft, warm and fairy light coats
Open daily, 10am-4pm Adults £2, children 50p. Talwrn Road, Llangefni 01248 750297 or visitanglesey.co.uk
BRIDGES EXHIBTION - The story of the bridges across the Menai Strait - Ford's 1826 suspension bridge and Stephenson's Britannia bridge of 1850
Open daily, except Saturday, 10am-4pm Adults £3, children free. Thomas ford Centre, Mona Road, Menai Bridge 01248 715046 or menaibridges.co.uk
COPPER KINGDOM - A walk through northern Anglesey's industrial past, including visits to Parys Mountain and the old harbour at Porth Amlwch
Sail Loft Visitor Centre open daily, 11am-2pm until Whitsun. Free admission. Sail Loft Visitor Centre, Porth Amlwch 01407 832255 or copperkingdom.co.uk
PILI PALAS - A steamy environment full of lush vegetation with butterflies, reptiles, spiders, birds, cockroaches and pets' corner
Open daily, 10am-5pm. Adult £5.95, child £4.95, under 3s free, families £19. Penmynydd Road, Menai Bridge 01248 712474 or pilipalas.co.uk
BEAUMARIS CASTLE - Begun in 1295, this concentrically planned but unfinished castle is the last and largest of Edward I's ring of Welsh fortifications
Open daily, 9.30am-5pm. Last admission 30 minutes before closing. Adults £3.70, concessions £3.30, family £10.70. Castle Street, Beaumaris 01443 336000 or cadw.gov.wales.uk
ORIEL YNYS MÔN -The island's premier museum and art gallery, depicting its past, its natural history, and displaying the works of established artists and young talents alike.
Open daily, 10.30am-5pm. Admission free. Rhosmeirch, Llangefni 01248 724444 or anglesey.gov.uk
CEREDIGION
BWLCH NANT YR ARIAN - Forest recreation centre offering footpaths and cycle trails, state of the art visitor centre, and daily feeding of wild red kites
Visitor Centre open daily 11am-2.30pm. Kite feeding 2pm. Admission free. Ponterwyd 01970 890694 or nantyrarian.com
ANIMALARIUM - A collection of unusual and interesting animals to amuse and delight, including endangered and exotic species
Open daily, 10am-6pm. Adults £7.50, children £5.50, families £24. Borth, near Aberystwyth 01970 871224 or animalarium.co.uk
CEREDIGION MUSEUM - Based in a beautiful old theatre, the museum looks at all aspects of life in Ceredigion, including its seafaring and lead mining traditions
Open Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm. Admission free. Terrace Road, Aberystwyth 01970 633088 or museum.ceredigion.gov.uk
CONWY
CONWY CASTLE - Constructed by English monarch Edward I between 1283 and 1289 as one of the key fortresses in his iron ring of castles
Open 9.30am-6pm. Adults £4.50 families £14. Rosehill Street, Conwy 01492 592358 or cadw.co.uk
GREAT ORME COPPER MINES - Uncovered in 1987 during a scheme to landscape an area of the Great Orme, the copper mines date back 4,000 years to the Bronze Age
Open daily 10am-5pm. Adults £6 children £4 families £16. Great Orme, Llandudno 01492 870447 or greatormemines.info
CONWY BUTTERFLY JUNGLE - Spectacular displays of tropical butterflies in the UK. See species such as lacewing, blue morpho and small postman
Open 10am-5.30pm (not Tues). Adults £5, children £3.50, seniors £3.50, students £3. Families £12-£10. Bodlondeb, Conwy 01492 593149 or conwy-butterfly.co.uk
ALICE IN WONDERLAND CENTRE - Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) took his neighbour Alice Liddell on a Llandudno picnic and told her a story - the basis of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Open daily 10am-5pm. Adults £3.25 children £2.50, seniors £2.95 families £10. Trinity Square, Llandudno 01492 860082 or wonderland.co.uk
HOME FRONT EXPERIENCE - Step back in time 60 years to when Britain was at war. Learn about Anderson Shelters, gas masks, ration books and the slogan Dig for Victory
Open daily 10am-4.30pm (Sun 11am-3pm). Adults £3, children £2, seniors £2.50, families £8.50. New Street, Llandudno 01492 871302 or olle.co.uk/homefront.htm
RSPB CONWY NATURE RESERVE - Watch black-tailed godwit, lapwing, shelduck, skylark, water rail on Conwy estuary without fear of disturbing them. Visitor centre sells books, gifts, binoculars and bird food
Open 10am-5pm, coffee shop 10am-4pm. Free for RSPB members, otherwise adults £2.50, children £1.50. A55 junction 18, Llandudno Junction 01492 584091 or rspb.org.uk/conwy
BODNANT GARDENS - Landscaped 80 acres above the River Conwy, looking towards Snowdonia, famed for its spring laburnum arch. Plus a cafe, gift shops and garden centre
Open daily 10am-5pm. Free for National Trust and RHS members, otherwise adult £7.20, child £3.60. Tal y Cafn, Glan Conwy 01492 650460 or bodnantgarden.co.uk
EIRIAS PARK AND LEISURE CENTRE - Large swimming pool, multi-use sports hall, fitness suite, tennis courts, picnic areas, children's play area, pitch and putt, parkland and boating lake
Open 8.30am-11.30pm daily, cafe open 9.30am-6.30pm. Prices depend on age and facilities required, general entry to park free. Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay 01492 533223 or conwy.gov.uk
WELSH MOUNTAIN ZOO - Home to rare and endangered species including snow leopards, chimpanzees, red pandas and Sumatran tigers. Also boasts beautiful gardens and a cafe
Open daily 9.30am, last admission at 5pm. Adult £7.95, children £5.80, family £24.95. Old Highway, Colwyn Bay 01492 532 938 or welshmountainzoo.org
TREFRIW WOOLLEN MILLS - Working mill museum tour to see raw wool transformed into bedspreads, tapestries and tweeds. Demonstrations of hand-spinning or try weaving. Shop on site
Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm (Sun 11am-5pm). Trefriw, Conwy Valley 01492 640462 or t-w-m.co.uk
DENBIGHSHIRE
RHYL SUN CENTRE - Waterpark with 300ft The Buzz slide, 200ft Black Hole, surfing and waves, with baby pool. Cafe & shop
Open 10.30am-5.15pm (Friday 4pm-8.15pm) Admission £7.95. East Parade, Rhyl 01745 344433 or rhylsuncentre.co.uk
SEAQUARIUM - Life beneath the waves. Find lobsters, conger eels and mystical axolotls before entering the Lethal Reef, home to some of the most poisonous animals on our planet
Open daily 10am-5pm. Adults £6.50, children £5.25, seniors £5.25. SeaQuarium, East Parade, Rhyl 01745 344660 or seaquarium.co.uk
RUTHIN GAOL - Discover how prisoners were forced to stay in solitary confinement or do hard labour from Victorian times through to World War I
Open daily 10am-5pm. Adults £3.50, children £2.50, seniors £2.50, families £10. Clwyd St, Ruthin 01824 708281 or ruthingaol.co.uk
LLANGOLLEN MOTOR MUSEUM - See the cars and motorbikes that Taid or Grandad used to drive, such as the oldest motor drawn caravan in Britain or Humphrey - a 1962 Triumph TR4
Open Tues-Sun, 10am-5pm. Pentre Felin, Llangollen 01978 860324 or llangollenmotormuseum.co.uk
PLAS NEWYDD -Once home to the Regency Ladies of Llangollen, Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby. Now Denbighshire Council museum
Open Easter to October 10am-5pm. Hill Street, Llangollen 01824 708223 or llangollen.com
LLANGOLLEN RAILWAY - Trains along the banks of the River Dee from Llangollen to Carrog. Shop and cafe on Platform One. Special events and trains
Open weekends (weekdays June-October) Adults from £3.50 return, children £2.50. Abbey Road, Llangollen 01978 860979 or llangollenrail.llangollen-railway.co.uk
BOD PETRUAL TRAILS - Easy paths and walkways through pine forests, larch woodlands and glimpses of moorland, parking nearby
Open daily, no charge. Clocaenog Forest, Ruthin or forestry.gov.uk
ANVIL POTTERY - working pottery in former village smithy. Each pot handmade from grogged stoneware or earthenware clay, with designs inspired by Celtic history
Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm weekdays, (Sat & Sun 10am-5pm). The Old Smithy, Llanrhaeadr 01745 890532 or anvilpottery.co.uk
CANAL BOAT TRIP - Journey from Llangollen Wharf in a horse drawn boat along the canal, or a motorised aqueduct cruise across Telford's Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Gift shop and cafe
Open daily. Adult £5, child £2.50 family £12.50 (aqueduct cruise adult £10, child £8. Wharf Hill, Llangollen 01978 860702 or horsedrawnboats.co.uk
HIRAETHOG FOREST -This 15,000 acre site is home to red squirrels and black grouse, plus rare trees. Perfect for walks and rides
Free access daily. B5105 from Ruthin
FLINTSHIRE
MOEL FAMMAU COUNTRY PARK -The summit's Jubilee Tower gives a spectacular view of the North Wales landscape. Ample parking, country walks, nature trails, picnic areas, ice creams
Open all day every day, free. Moel Fammau, near Mold
GREENFIELD VALLEY HERITAGE PARK - Farm animals, country walks, Basingwerk Abbey ruins, rescued farm buildings, adventure playground, shop, and museum
Open daily 10am-4.30pm. Adults £3.50, children £2, disabled £2.60. Basingwerk House, Greenfield Valley, Greenfield 01352 714172
WEPRE COUNTRY PARK - Ancient woodland with ruins of Ewloe Castle, plus walks, fishing pool, visitor centre, children's playground, football pitches
Visitor centre open 9am-5pm, daily. Free. Wepre Drive, Connah's Quay 01244 814931 or flintshire.gov.uk
DEESIDE ICE RINK -National centre for ice sports in Wales, with an Olympic size ice pad, fun skating sessions, discos on ice, ice hockey and curling
Open daily 10.30am-3.30pm, disco 7.30-10pm, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday. Admission adults £3.70, junior £2.90, family £10.30, skate hire £1.40. Deeside Leisure Centre, Chester Road West, Queensferry 01244 814725 or flintshire.gov.uk
LOGGERHEADS DEVIL'S GORGE -Walk along the Leete - look out for 120ft abseil on March 29-30 for NCH Cymru - equipment provided. Over 14s. Details Call Hanna Lewis on 02920 222127 or nch.org.uk
Open daily. Free (abseil 9am). Loggerheads Country Park, near Mold
GRONANT AND TALACRE SAND DUNES -SSSI Home to rare natterjack toads and little terns. Waymarked walks, open beaches and a lighthouse. RSPB bird hide at Point of Ayr
Open daily, free Talacre RSPB details 0151 336 7681 or flintshire.gov.uk
SWIMMING -Free sessions for children in school holidays at pools in Mold, Buckley, Flint and Connah's Quay.
Contact individual pools for details and times. Mold 01352 756116; Buckley 01244 544469; Flint 01352 733677; Connah's Quay 01244 819561, or flintshire.gov.uk
ETNA PARK AND BUCKLEY HERITAGE TRAIL -Former clay hole and landfill site now the start for three-mile Buckley Heritage Trail about brick-making industry
Open daily. Free. Globe Way, Buckley 01244 814931 or flintshire.gov.uk
GREENACRES FARM PARK -Working farm, tractor and pony rides, children's play area, showtime entertainment, happy caterpillar rides, bouncy castle, gift shop, cafe
Open daily 10.30am-5.30pm. Admission adults £5.50, children £5. Cottage Lane, Mancot 01244 531147 or greenacresfarmpark.co.uk
CIRCUIT DEESIDE INDOOR KARTING CENTRE -Arrive and drive, full grand prix, enduro racing, a 350m indoor go-karting track and junior cadet karts. Cafe
Open daily from 11am. Charges from £13. Babbage Rd, Engineer Park, Sandycroft 01244 531652 or thecircuit.co.uk
GWYNEDD
BEACON CLIMBING CENTRE -Indoor climbing centre, with over 1,000sqm of top-roping, leading & bouldering, offers challenges for the experienced and tuition for novices
Open daily, 11am-10pm weekdays, 10am-10pm weekends. Taster session £50 for 1-3 people, £60 for 4-7 people. Ceunant, near Caernarfon 01286 650045 or beaconclimbing.com
PENRHYN CASTLE -Find out how the Pennant family used their fortune made from slavery and slate to fund this historic house and gardens
Open daily, except Tuesday, noon-5pm. Adults £9, children £4.50, families £22.50. Llandegai, near Bangor 01248 353084 or nationaltrust.org.uk
PARC GLYNLLIFON -Stroll through this site of special scientific interest with its own arboretum of rare species, gardens, arts and crafts and collection of follies
Open daily 10am-5pm. Adults £3, children £1, families £8. Llanwnda, Caernarfon 01286 830222 or gwynedd.gov.uk
CORRIS RAILWAY -Enjoy a 50 minute round trip on this former quarry railway, including a tour of the 130-year-old engine shed
Open weekends, first train 11am. Museum 10.30am-5pm. Adult return £4, juniors £2, family £10. Museum free. Station Yard, Corris, near Machynlleth 01654 761303 or corris.co.uk
PORTMEIRION -Unique Italianate village created by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, set on its own private peninsula on the southern shores of Snowdonia
Open daily, 9.30am-5.30pm. Adults £7, juniors £3.50, family £17. Minffordd, near Porthmadog 01766 771331 portmeirion-village.com
CAE'R GORS -Interpretation centre in former home of novelist Dr Kate Roberts, whose Welsh originals have been translated into five languages
Open Tues-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat & Sun 1pm-4pm. Adults £3.50, children £3, family £10. Rhosgadfan, near Caernarfon 01286 831715 or caergors.org
PLAS YN RHIW -Delightful 17th century mansion with beautiful ornamental gardens, woodland walks and spectacular views over Cardigan Bay
Open Thursday-Sunday, noon-5pm. Adults £3.60, children £1.80, family £9. Rhiw, near Aberdaron, Lln Peninsula 01758 780219 or nationaltrust.org.uk
PIGGERY POTTERY -Throw your own pot in this delightful pottery, which offers a children's play area, workshop tour and pebble painting for the kids
Open weekdays 9am-5.30pm, weekends 10am-5.30pm. Admission free. Ddol Helyg, Cwm y Glo, near Llanberis 01286 871931 or piggerypottery.co.uk
GREENWOOD FOREST PARK -Ecologically friendly fun park where the activities have low power needs, including the world's first people powered roller coaster
Open daily, 10am-5.30pm. Adults £8.10, children £6.85, family (2 adults, 2 children) £26.70. Y Felinheli 01248 670076 or greenwoodforestpark.co.uk
NATIONAL SLATE MUSEUM -A slice of Welsh industrial history and archaeology, sited in Victorian workshops in the shadow of Elidir mountain
Open daily, 10am-5pm. Admission free. Gilfach Ddu, Llanberis 01286 870630 or museumwales.ac.uk
