Things to Do in Snowdonia & North Wales

The perfect base for exploring one of Britain’s most dramatic landscapes

Tyn Rhos Country House Hotel sits at the heart of North Wales, placing you within easy reach of some of the most breathtaking scenery, history and adventure in the British Isles. Whether you’re here to conquer mountains, discover ancient castles, unwind in the countryside or simply eat and drink very well, you’ll find no shortage of reasons to explore beyond our door.

Here’s our guide to making the most of your stay.

Adventure & The Great Outdoors

Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa)

No visit to North Wales is complete without an encounter with Snowdon. At 1,085 metres, the highest peak in England and Wales. You can tackle it on foot via one of six waymarked trails (the Pyg Track and Llanberis Path are the most popular), or ride the famous Snowdon Mountain Railway from Llanberis for a more leisurely ascent. On a clear day, the summit views stretch as far as Ireland. Llanberis is around 20 minutes from the hotel.

Snowdonia National Park

Snowdon is just the beginning. The 823 square miles of Snowdonia National Park offer waterfalls, glacial lakes, forest trails and ridge walks to suit every level of ability. Llyn Padarn in Llanberis, the Ogwen Valley and the dramatic Glyderau range are all worth exploring. The park is effectively on your doorstep.

Zip World

For a shot of adrenaline, Zip World operates several extraordinary attractions nearby. Zip World Velocity at Penrhyn Quarry near Bethesda is Europe’s fastest zip line, reaching speeds of over 100mph across a former slate quarry. Zip World Titan, also at Penrhyn, is the world’s largest zip line zone. For something underground, Zip World Caverns takes you deep beneath the mountains of Snowdonia. Approx 25 minutes away from Ty’n Rhos.

Go Below Underground Adventures

For something genuinely different, Go Below is a guided underground experience that takes you into the vast flooded caverns and slate chambers beneath the mountains. A world entirely unlike the one above ground. Based near Betws-y-Coed, it’s a memorable few hours. Approx 45 minutes away from Ty’n Rhos.

Cycling & Mountain Biking

The Lôn Las Cymru long-distance cycling route passes through this part of Wales, while Antur Stiniog near Blaenau Ffestiniog offers some of Wales’ best mountain bike descents. Road cyclists will find quiet lanes and spectacular riding in every direction. Antur Stiniog is approx 50 minutes away.

History & Heritage

Caernarfon Castle

One of the most impressive medieval fortresses in Europe, Caernarfon Castle dominates the town at the mouth of the Menai Strait. Built by Edward I in the late 13th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s a genuinely extraordinary place to spend a few hours. The town itself is charming, with independent shops, cafés and a thriving food scene. Around 10 minutes from the hotel.

Conwy Castle & Town Walls

Another of Edward I’s Welsh castles, Conwy is perhaps even more dramatic, rising from the banks of the Conwy estuary with the medieval town walls still largely intact. Walk the walls, explore the castle, then wander the narrow streets to Thomas Telford’s suspension bridge and the famously tiny Aberconwy House. Around 30 minutes from Tyn Rhos.

Beaumaris Castle

Across the Menai Bridge on Anglesey, Beaumaris is considered the most technically perfect concentric castle ever built — never fully completed, and never needed in battle. The peaceful Georgian town of Beaumaris surrounds it, with independent shops and waterfront cafés. Around 25 minutes away.

Harlech Castle

To the south, Harlech Castle perches dramatically on its rocky outcrop above the coastal plain, with Snowdonia rising behind it and views across Cardigan Bay to the Llŷn Peninsula. The cliff-hugging drive down offers some of the finest scenery in Wales. Approx 55 minutes away from Ty’n Rhos.

Portmeirion

Created by Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975, Portmeirion is an extraordinary Italianate village set on its own private peninsula above the Dwyryd estuary. Brilliantly eccentric, beautiful in every season, and home to outstanding gardens, craft shops, a hotel and good food. Famous as the setting for 1960s TV series The Prisoner. Around 45 minutes from the hotel.

Anglesey & the Coast

Isle of Anglesey (Ynys Môn)

Just 15 minutes across the Menai Bridge, Anglesey offers a completely different character to the mainland, with rolling farmland, dramatic clifftops, hidden sandy beaches and a proud Welsh-speaking culture. The 125-mile Anglesey Coastal Path reveals spectacular scenery at every turn.

South Stack Lighthouse

On Anglesey’s northwest tip, South Stack is one of Wales’ great viewpoints. A lighthouse perched on a rock island accessible by iron staircase, surrounded by nesting seabirds in spring and summer (puffins, razorbills, choughs) and commanding Atlantic views year round. Approx 45 minutes away from Ty’n Rhos.

Llandudno

Wales’ finest Victorian resort town retains its elegant seafront, pier, and Great Orme headland, which is accessible by tramway or cable car. It’s a pleasure to walk, with good independent restaurants and the excellent Oriel Mostyn gallery. Around 40 minutes from the hotel.

Beaches of the Llŷn Peninsula

Stretching out into the Irish Sea to the southwest, the Llŷn Peninsula was a medieval pilgrimage route and today remains blissfully uncommercialised. Beaches at Aberdaron, Porth Oer (Whistling Sands) and Abersoch are among the finest in Wales. Abersoch is around 50 minutes from us, and Porth Oer about 60 minutes.

Food, Drink & Local Produce

North Wales has a quietly thriving food and drink scene built on outstanding local ingredients, with mountain lamb, Welsh Black beef, freshly caught seafood, artisan cheeses and award-winning spirits.

Bodnant Welsh Food Centre near Tal-y-Cafn is an excellent destination in its own right, a working farm, food hall, bakery and restaurant set in beautiful surroundings on the banks of the Conwy. Pick up local cheeses, charcuterie, honey and preserves to take home.

Halen Môn on Anglesey produces sea salt of international acclaim, and their visitor centre near Brynsiencyn is well worth a stop.

The Snowdonia Cheese Company, Purple Moose Brewery in Porthmadog, and a growing number of Welsh whisky and gin distilleries are all producing genuinely world-class things. Ask us for our current recommendations.

Gardens & Nature

Bodnant Garden

Managed by the National Trust, Bodnant Garden is one of the finest gardens in Britain, with 80 acres of formal terraces, wild gardens, ancient trees and a famous laburnum arch that blazes gold each May. Open year round, and at its most magical in spring and autumn. Around 35 minutes from Tyn Rhos.

Aberglaslyn Pass & Beddgelert

The village of Beddgelert sits at the confluence of two rivers in the heart of Snowdonia, the legendary home of Gelert, the faithful hound. Walk the Aberglaslyn Gorge along the old Welsh Highland Railway trackbed for one of the most beautiful short walks in Wales.

Welsh Highland Railway

Speaking of which, the narrow-gauge Welsh Highland Railway runs through some of Snowdonia’s most dramatic scenery, from Caernarfon all the way to Porthmadog. A wonderful way to see the landscape without driving, and the restored Ffestiniog Railway connects Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog through equally spectacular slate country.

Planning Your Visit

Tyn Rhos is ideally positioned to reach almost everything listed here within 20 to 60 minutes. We’re happy to recommend the best routes, suggest quieter alternatives to the most popular spots, and point you towards our favourite local restaurants and hidden gems. Just ask! We know this part of Wales well, and we love sharing it.

Looking to book a stay in North Wales?

Make Tyn Rhos your base and wake up in the heart of it all. With Snowdonia on your doorstep, castles around every corner and the coast within easy reach, there’s no better place to start your North Wales adventure. Book direct with us for the best available rates and a personal welcome from our team. Call on 01248 670 489 to book or use the button below.

Getting Around – Questions Answered