Located in the mountainous north-west region of Wales, Snowdonia is one of the most visited national parks in the UK – and for good reason! From stargazing to underground gold, there are a lot of memorable activities to choose from in Wales’ largest national park. Below are just 7 super reasons to book a staycation in Snowdonia.
Climb the highest mountain in Wales
Snowdonia National Park is named after Mount Snowdon – the highest mountain in Wales (3,560 ft). To enjoy panoramic views from the top, visitors can either hike up one of six scenic paths or take the railway. There are several hotels near the base such as The Royal Victoria Hotel, which can help to give you an early start.
See Wales’ highest continuous waterfall
A number of stunning waterfalls can be visited throughout Snowdonia including the dramatic Aber Falls (with its own nearby whisky distillery) and the beautiful Conwy Falls (nestled in the middle of a forest). The highest continuous waterfall in Wales, Pistyll Rhaeadr, is also worth making a trip to. It’s technically on the outskirts of Snowdonia, but still makes for an easy excursion.
Go stargazing
Snowdonia is an international Dark Sky Reserve. This means that there is minimal light pollution across the national park – making it an excellent destination to go stargazing on a clear night. Lllyn Conway and the Llynnau Cregennan lakes offer some of the best starry night views due to their remote location and breathtaking setting. .
Explore medieval castles
You’ll encounter several well-preserved castles across Snowdonia. Most of these were built by Edward I for their strategic location. Examples include the mighty Caenarfon Castle, the striking Conwy Castle and the sea-facing Harlech Castle. For an impressive authentically Welsh castle, check out Dolbadarn Castle built by the Welsh prince Llywelyn The Great in the 13th century.
Play underground golf
Zip World is a popular outdoor adventure park in Snowdonia and is home to some record-breaking thrillseeker attractions including the UK’s longest and fastest zip line and an underground golf course (the deepest underground golf course in the world). If you’re looking for a memorable day out, be sure to spend a few hours here.
Venture down the historic slate mines
Another underground attraction worth considering in Snowdonia is the historic slate mines of North Wales. You can explore mines at Zip World LLechwedd, as well as Llanfair Slate Caverns in Harlech. Enjoy a guided tour where you can experience what it was like to be a Victorian slate miner and learn about the scary working conditions.
Drink tea in picturesque villages
For a more leisurely activity, why not spend a day visiting the local picturesque villages of Beddgelert and Betws-y-Coed. Here you will find historic slate cottages and old stone bridges set to a dramatic backdrop of rivers and mountains. Some of these villages also have some top-rated tearooms where you can enjoy afternoon tea. These tearooms are quite small and very popular, so make sure to book ahead to reserve a table.