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Friday, 25th July 2003

North Wales

Conwy Castle

North Wales is the home of the most magnificent castles in Britain. These include Rhuddlan, Conwy, Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Criccieth and Harlech. Conwy, in particular, an hour and three-quarters away by train, is a fascinating place for both its castle and its harbour. The elegant seaside resort of Llandudno is close by with its lovely beach, superb pier, and the fabulous Orme: a rocky mountain headland climbed by exhilarating tramcar.

The most popular area to visit is Snowdonia. Here you'll find climbing, walking and canoeing as good as anywhere in Britain. In the area, there are lakes and tumbling streams under great mountains, with gentler walks in the valleys. Some of the sights not to be missed include Betws-y-Coed, with its rapids and waterfalls, Portmeirion, the Italianate folly designed by Clough-Ellis in mimicry of Portofino, the steam railway from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog, the beaches at Red Wharf Bay on Anglesey and the hill fort at Tre'r Ceiri on the Lleyn Penninsula. The further west one goes the more dominant the beautiful Welsh language becomes.

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