Destination Guide to North Wales
The north of Wales is a region of glorious natural landscapes which harbour an intriguing history and an enduring and utterly unique culture.
The north of Wales reaches from the city of Chester in the East to the tip of the Llyn Peninsula in the West encompassing the Conwy valley, the Isle of Anglesey and the sprawling hills of the Snowdonia National Park. Despite its relative proximity to the cities of the north of England, Wales’ northern areas remain sparsely populated, perhaps due to her dramatic and unyielding terrain.
The Snowdonia National Park covers a vast area and provides some of UK’s most dramatic vistas not least at Mount Snowdon itself, the highest peak in England and Wales. Barren, snow-capped mountain peaks give way to lush river valleys and thick wooded hills. Equally majestic are the untouched coastlines; the isle of Anglesey and the Llyn Peninsula provide sweeping bays and rocky cliff tops home to a wealth of natural wildlife.
The Welsh people are proud of their heritage and nowhere more so than in the north; Welsh, an ancient and melodic language of Celtic origins, is still widely spoken as a first language throughout the region. Physical hallmarks of the Celtic heritage are found on Anglesey in the form of neolithic burial chambers and prehistoric sites whilst the country’s fierce struggle against England is stamped upon the landscapes in the form of Britain’s most impressive and best preserved castles. A ring of archetypal 13th century fortresses, which have been granted UNESCO World Heritage Status, rise majestically from the lush landscapes such as those at Beaumaris Castle and Harlech Castle. A truly unique gem, not to be missed, is the fantastical Italianate village of Port Meirion, which was later used as the setting for 1960’s television series the Prisoner.
There is just one city in the north of Wales at the university city of Bangor however the real attraction here lies in the bundles of tiny villages and towns which dot the countryside. Llangollen is a quaint village, home to the Welsh cultural highlight at the annual Eistedfordd festival, but worth a visit year-round whilst Llandudno offers a charming Victorian seaside resort ideal for strolls along the promenade. Conwy and Caernarfon are two fine examples of historic market towns with stunningly preserved medieval town walls and each boasting their own unique fortresses at Caernarfon Castle and Conwy Castle.
Unbridled natural beauty and a feast of historic and cultural landmarks make the north of Wales an ideal destination for an authentic Wales vacation experience.
