Llandudno promenade, North Wales, UK by Denis Egan

Llandudno is a relatively small town with just 20,000 residents, but often swells during spring and summer months from visitors that are keen to see what Llandudno is all about. In this article, we’ll give you a few ideas for things to do and see whilst in Llandudno for a day. Whilst we always suggest staying a few days to get the full experience, visiting the town is always worth going to, no matter when or for how long.

Hopefully you will be in the town in the morning, meaning you can start the day with a spot of breakfast in one of the hotels in Llandudno overlooking the bay or one of the towns many friendly café’s. After you’ve stocked up on some energy, it’s time to start enjoying the town.

In the morning, you should get yourselves over to the tram station at the base of the Great Orme. From here, you can jump on the tram which will give you a scenic, easy and pleasant ride up to the summit of the Orme. You can also drive up- or even walk instead, but you must know it can take a while due to the steepness of the hill. Once you reach the top, you can take in the breathtaking views, ramble through the land, visit the Bronze Age Copper Mine and get a bite to eat or something to drink at the Summit Complex. Kids will love the opportunity to play in the park at the summit and with a mini golf course; you can’t go wrong with a visit to the Great Orme.

Llandudno Pier, North Wales, UK by Denis Egan

Heading down the other side of the Orme will take you back to the main town. We’d recommend taking a wander through Happy Valley and visiting the Victorian Pier as the next point of call. The pier is famous and remains a prime attraction of the town and is home to a range of shops, amusement arcades and bars & eateries. After you’ve checked this out, you could take a wander across the promenade, trip to the artificial ski slope and toboggan run, sit on the beach, browse the extensive selection of shops located on Mostyn Street, Parc Llandudno Shopping Complex and the Victoria Shopping Centre. You can even see if there’s something on at Venue Cymru, where an exceptional range of shows take place throughout the year, allowing the locals and visitors of Llandudno is enjoy some world class entertainment.

Llandudno can be seen in a day, but as you can now see, should most definitely be given a little longer. To experience Llandudno properly, book in at a hotel in Llandudno, providing the perfect base to your memorable adventure.

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Llanrhaedr Waterfall, Wales, UK by Velela

An Area Rich in History

Hidden amongst the hills and valleys of Mid-Wales you will discover some of Wales’ most unspoilt villages, which are well known for hosting many historical and meaningful past times. Many pageants are hosted throughout the year to commemorate local traditions. The villages are full of old buildings, churches and chapels which are maintained to help visitors recognise the history of the local area. There are memorials to Welsh men and women who helped carve out a local community in this region in small quieter areas of Welshpool to commemorate their contribution to Welsh history.

Experience Outdoor Adventure and Quaint Farmers Markets

Mid Wales offers a huge variety of activities and attractions in close proximity to Welshpool so no matter where you are, you won’t be far from a memorable time. Nearby Bala opens many doors to a whole new experience of outdoor adventure so whether you fancy a round of golf, sailing on a sublime summer’s day or the challenge of gorge walking there is an activity for everyone. Welshpool also hosts local farmer markets in which visitors can sample and buy local produce.

Powis castle and garden, Wales, UK by Alexander Forst-Rakoczy

The most popular activities in Welshpool include lake and river fishing, beach activities, walking along the Montgomery Canal, visiting the Llanrhaedr Waterfall and the area also has some of the best bird sanctuaries in the United Kingdom. Do not miss out on some of the most popular attractions within Welshpool and the Mid Wales area including Powis Castle, Coed Y Dinas Garden Centre, Llanfair Caereinion railway, Lake Vyrnwy, Bala Lake, technology centre, King Arthurs Labyrinth and Snowdonia National Park. The list goes on and on, so you will never be short of things to do or places to see no matter who you are with!

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Streets in Chester, UK by Christopher John SSF

Wander the city walls

When you first get to Chester, one of the best ways to get your bearings is to take the 3km walk around the city walls. Erected during the Roman period for defensive purposes, the city walls give Chester its nickname of “The Walled City”. Although Chester’s walls have been rebuilt during their history, they form the most complete city walls of any British city. As you walk the walls you can be stood in the spot where history was made – for instance, King Charles observed a civil war battle from the walls – and take in the structures incorporated into the walls; you will probably be familiar with pictures of the Eastgate Clock, built to celebrate Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee. If you are keen to learn more about Chester’s history, join one of the guided tours of the walls, to find out more about its interesting past. For anyone with limited mobility who would like to see the whole city, a tour aboard the only remaining operating open top vintage bus from 1924 comes well recommended.

Visit Chester’s cathedral

There has been a church on the spot where the cathedral stands for the last 1000 years – initially a Saxon minster before the Benedictine abbey was built. As you walk round this impressive building, you can marvel at the Norman arches, Gothic columns, wood carvings and stained glass windows. Chester’s cathedral is one of the best examples of a Medieval monastery in England and the garden in the cloisters is equally splendid, hosting ferns, exotic bulbs, springtime flowers, majestic trees and herbs. The plants themselves are not the only attraction, but the way in which the cathedral garden is designed and the “Water of Life” sculpture by Stephen Broadbent that is sited there.

Chester’s Cathedral, UK by David Merrett

Sit in the amphitheatre

Located near the River Dee, Chester’s amphitheatre is the largest in Britain. In 2004 and 2005 excavation by English Heritage and Chester City Council uncovered two amphitheatres made of stone. In one, access to the upper seats is by way of stairs at the rear wall, while in the other the seats in higher tiers were reached by vaulted staircases. The two buildings not only differ from each other, but from other British amphitheatres indicating how important Roman Chester was. Various musical and theatrical events are periodically hosted at the amphitheatre, so if you are lucky enough, you might be able to coincide your trip with one of these performances. Discover more about Roman Chester at the Grosvenor Museum, where you can also learn about the local natural history and geology, as well as home life from the seventeenth century to the early twentieth century and art work.

Potter along The Rows

The Rows are unique to Chester. They are part-timbered balconies, which give rise to a second row of shops above those at ground level. You can find these second level shops along Watergate Street, Northgate Street, Eastgate Street and Bridge Street. If you are looking to buy something more unusual for yourself or a gift, you are likely to find exactly what you are after in the many independent stores located in The Rows. Also take the time for a coffee or lunch at one of the cafes in The Rows, before you set off to explore the rest of the city.

Claire writes about city planning and architecture on behalf of a landlord and property advice news site, Pro Buy To Let where thousands of landlords come every month for the latest news on property hot spots around the UK. Chester is surely one of those.

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Tryfan, Nant Ffrancon Valley, Snowdonia, Wales, UK by Stuart

Named after the 1,085 meter tall Snowdon peak which can be found within the park’s boundaries, the park is a popular destination in the area. Originally known as the Great Throne, Yr Wyddfa is filled with legends that have been formed throughout the ages. In the old days, the region was part of the Kingdom of Gwynedd which was considered by many to be the heart of Wales.

There are a total of nine mountain ranges that can be found within the park’s boundaries. As a result, more than 52% of the area is covered by ragged rocks and mountain peaks; some as high as 915 meters above sea level. You will also find more than sixty kilometres of coastline within the park; some of which are sandy beaches.

The Snowdonia National Park is currently inhabited by more then 26,000 people. Most of the residents of the park speak Welsh. Those numbers soar as more than six million visitors make their way to the park every single year. Since there are a number of places and ways to sleep within the park, many visitors choose to visit the park for longer than just a simple day trip.

Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia National Park, Wales, UK by Les Haines

One will notice is that in the centre of the Snowdonia National Park, there is a region which has not been included as actually part of the national park. This hole as some refer to it includes the prosperous town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. The town’s main industry is its thriving slate quarry. The town was purposefully left out of the development of the park so that it could continue to grow in the future.

You could spend more than a week just visiting the park and seeing the many sites throughout. You will find ancient castles and ruins that date back to the earliest known settlements in the region. There are also several archaeological sites that can be found within the park’s boundaries.

Known for its beauty and splendour, the Snowdonia National Park is one of the most visited locations in the United Kingdom.

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