There are historic towns, seaside resorts, castles, narrow gauge railways, museums, leisure facilities and much, much more to do and see all year round in Gywnedd.
There are stunning castles and historic places to visit in Snowdonia. The well known ones are Portmeirion, Criccieth Castle, Harlech Castle and Dolwyddelan Castle. Further afield are Penrhyn Castle, Beaumaris Castle, Conwy Castle and Caernarfon Castle.
Bordered by the Irish Sea, with its beautiful coastline and with the stunning Snowdonia National Park at its heart, Gwynedd has some of the most amazing landscapes in the UK.
Visitors return on their holidays year after year, to escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life, to relax and enjoy the wonderful vistas around every corner.
A harbour town situated on the Glaslyn Estuary, Porthmadog is rich in maritime history and is an excellent base for touring the surrounding area. It has a number craft shops and restaurants.
The town was named after W.A. Maddocks whose ambitious “Cob” embankment scheme led to the town's name, which translates as “Madog's Port”.
In times gone by, it was a vital, busy shipping port for the international slate trade, brought down from Blaenau Ffestiniog. The maritime history depicts its proud past.
For information about visiting the area during the Welsh school holidays and places to stay, please visit the Snowdonia Mountains and Coast website - www.visitsnowdonia.info
A few final tips to enjoy a North Wales vacation.
Be warned that if you don't like the weather - wait five minutes or walk a mile. Even in July and August, good rain gear and sweaters are recommended.
So are good hiking boots, especially if you plan on walking in the hills. Renting a car is essential and Americans are advised to choose a major company so as to be sure an automatic vehicle is available.
Most accommodation is in bed and breakfast, guest houses or very small hotels. A bed and breakfast is the best recommendation, allowing a personal touch and saving money on food with filling British breakfasts.
On the topic of food, North Wales proves the myth that you can't get good food in Britain false with excellent ethnic restaurants and some great old pubs offering traditional pies and other 'pub grub'.
Cadair View Lodge Log Cabin and Bunkhouse Accommodation in the Heart of Snowdonia National Park. Cadair View Lodge log cabins are set on the mountainside at Bronaber, near to Trawsfynydd in Gwynedd. They are within the Snowdonia National Park and back onto the Coed y Brenin mountain biking trails.
Most of the cabins have views over the surrounding mountains. This self-catering accommodation provides the ideal base for families, groups and individuals to enjoy and explore all that the area has to offer.
Log Cabins and Holiday Accommodation in Snowdonia - Trawsfynydd holiday village offers Log Cabin Lodges in Wales sleeping 4-8 people and a bunkhouse sleeping 10-20 people. We have a large number of log cabins, making our North Wales accommodation the ideal choice for groups of all sizes looking for accommodation in Snowdonia.
Please be sure to check our availability during the Welsh school holidays.
School Holidays in Gwynedd. Welsh Half Term Dates 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Choose a Welsh county from the list below to view the latest published School Half Term Holiday Dates.
Llandudno located in the centre of the North Wales coast is by repute "The Queen of Wales seaside resorts". Llandudno has retained its Victorian charm and genteel ambience whilst most of its competitors have gone the way of modernised commercialism.
Whether you are planning an activity weekend in Snowdonia, a relaxing week on the coast or fun for all the family - it's all on offer in this beautiful part of Wales - Snowdonia Mountains and Coast. Choose a Welsh county from the list below to view the latest published School Half Term Holiday Dates in Wales.
Whilst every effort is made to ensure that these half term holiday dates are accurate, there are occasions when circumstances beyond our control may result in changes.
When is Half Term in Gywnedd, Wales?
Gywnedd County School Half Term Holidays
School Calendar Files to Download / Print
2013-2014 Gwynedd Term Dates PDF 2014-2015 Gwynedd Term Dates PDF
2015-2016 Gwynedd Term Dates PDF
Search For Schools in Wales
North Wales is one of those parts of the world to which everyone should consider going at least once. Unlike so many tourist destinations, it has no target audience. There is something for everyone. The things North Wales has going for it cross a wide spread of interests.
1. Mountains.
Snowdonia National Park may be a pimple compared to the Alps or the Rockies, but what it lacks in height it makes up for in sheer beauty. Whether from your car or on foot, the hills and valleys of this landscape are easy to get lost in.
In late August (the best time of year to visit) the moorland is spectacular with the deep purple of heather and the brilliant yellow of gorse.
Numerous rights of way cross common grazing occupied by sheep and mountain ponies (not wild, as they are owned by local farmers, but allowed to run free for much of the year).
2. Castles.
Four of the finest examples of the very height of the castle builder's art encircle Snowdonia. King Edward's 'Ring of Iron' consists of the great castles of Conwy, Caernarvon, Beaumaris and Harlech, and all four are completely different. All four, thus, are worth visiting. Caernarvon, the site of the investiture of Charles, Prince of Wales, is perhaps one of the best preserved and restored of all Medieval castles and towers above the Menai Straits. Beaumaris shows the classic concentric design and even has a partial water moat, although it was never finished and gives a somewhat squat impression.
Beyond those four are numerous smaller castles, keeps, hill forts and ruins, enough to keep the amateur archaeologist busy for at least a week.
3. Trains.
Wales is known as a hotbed of railway preservation and some of the best examples are in north Wales. For something unique, go to Llanberis and board the Snowdon Mountain Railway, the only steam rack railway in the world. Although some trains now run under diesel power, you have a good chance of at least seeing a steamer. If you are feeling particularly energetic, buy a one way ticket and hike back down the mountain from the visitor center at the summit.
Also in Llanberis is the Llanberis Lake Railway, a two mile narrow gauge track along the side of a lake. This railway is all steam and its main terminus is across the street from the Slate Museum. With free admission, this is well worth checking out for the reconstructed slate worker's houses, demonstrations of slate working techniques and huge collection of wooden molds for casting machine parts.
If you have a few hours and just want to relax, then the Welsh Highland Railway might be right up your alley. Take the train from Caernarvon, literally across the parking lot from the spectacular castle, through the Aberglaslyn Pass to Pont Croesor. Once in Pont Croesor, spend time birding at the nature reserve before catching the train back to Caernarvon. Look out for the classic Pullman carriages and enjoy the most powerful narrow gauge steam locomotives in current use. The Welsh Highland and Ffestiniog Railway holds the distinction of being the oldest operating railroad company.
4. Ponies.
Snowdonia is the original home of the Welsh Mountain Pony, examples of which might be glimpsed, if you are fortunate, while hiking in the mountains. From this breed comes the Welsh Pony, Welsh Cob and Welsh Pony of Cob Type.
It is hardly surprising, then, that one of the best ways to see the mountains is from the back of a horse. Any one of a number of pony trekking centers will take even novice riders for a pleasant ride through lanes and out onto the hills. All centers provide helmets and most offer basic instruction before setting out.
If your preferred contact with 'the ponies' involves betting, then drop by Tir Prince for a harness racing meet. Tir Prince also has a small amusement park and arcades.
5. The Grand Old British Seaside.
Although no Blackpool or Brighton, the Victorian resort of Llandudno is truly charming with its broad promenade. One of the best preserved Victorian piers runs out to sea from the 'north' promenade. The quieter west promenade is popular with locals walking their dogs. Between the two is the Great Orme, which can be accessed on foot or by cable car or funicular tram.
Bangor is also good for classic British seaside attractions such as rock candy and, of course, the beach, although the Irish Sea can be a little cold for swimming. Also, visitors to Llandudno are warned that attempting to walk across the Conwy estuary to Conwy is a bad idea...tourists need to be rescued every year from the dangerous sandbars, that rapidly vanish when the tide comes in. Llandudno also makes a great base of operations for exploring this beautiful part of the world.
Agar House Guest House is a family friendly and very comfortable 3 star guest house situated in the picturesque resort town of Llandudno.
Our sponsored links on each page also list events and discounts on school holiday ideas and half term events in Wales. You can also use the search box to look up Half Term Dates and School Holidays in Wales for 2013, 2014 and 2015. To return to this website please use the 'Back' button on your web browser.
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