The Best Things to Do on a Day Out in Wales
I recently spent a week in Wales visiting my father-in-law who lives in the Snowdonia National Park area. During our stay, we had a couple of days out in Wales to explore.
It was my second time in Wales, and I’m still stunned by the absolute beauty of the place. The castles, the old pubs, the wild beaches – I could go on and on. If you’re looking for ideas for your day out in Wales, this post covers the best things to do during your trip.
1. Harlech Castle
Did you really to go Wales if you didn’t visit a castle? Nope! Harlech Castle, located in Harlech, Gwynedd, is one of the most famous medieval castles in Wales.
Harlech Castle was built by Edward I during his invasion of Wales from 1282-1289. Not only does that seem like a pretty quick construction period, but apparently it only cost £8,190 to build.
Not sure what that is now with inflation, but seems like a steal! Maybe I should ask these guys to handle my next home renovation in NYC. 😂
If you are interested in visiting Harlech Castle during your day out in Wales, here is some information to help you plan your trip:
Hours (current as of May 2019):
- March 1 to June 30: Open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
- July 1 to August 31: Open daily from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm.
- September 1 to October 31: Open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
- November 1 to February 28: Open Monday to Saturday from 10: 00 am to 4:00 pm. Open Sunday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Closed December 24, 25 and 26, and January 1.
Admission Prices (current as of May 2019):
- Adult – £7.30
- Children under 5 – Free
- Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) – £21.20
- Disabled and companion – Free
- Juniors (Aged 5–17) / NUS / Armed Forces and Veterans – £4.40
- Seniors (Aged 65+) – £5.80
2. Swallow Falls Waterfall in Betws-y-Coed
Not only is Betws-y-Coed (pronounced betsy-coe-ed) a charming town to visit, but you can also visit an incredibly scenic waterfall just outside the town. There are multiple viewing platforms along the waterfall.
Admission Prices (current as of May 2019):
- Adult: £2
- Child: 75p
Bring cash to pay your admission. At times, the entry booth is unstaffed and access is granted through a turnstile. This means that you can visit the waterfall at any time. However, bring exact change to pay your admission at the turnstile.
3. Tu Hwnt i’r Bont – a 500 Year Old Tea House
Tu Hwnt I’r Bont is a Welsh gem. Although, I have no idea how to pronounce it! This tea house was built in 1480 and originally was a residential home. It was later used as a courthouse, fell into disrepair and was acquired by the National Trust. Over 50 years ago, it was turned into a tea house and has been a local favorite ever since. The back patio at Tu Hwnt i’r Bont is an ideal place to stop for lunch or tea during your day out in Wales.
Hours (current as of May 2019):
Tu Hwnt i’r Bont is generally open from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days per week, except:
- In March they are closed on Mondays
- From October 1 to Christmas they are only open Friday to Sunday.
- They are closed in January and February.
4. Beddgelert
Beddgelert is a charming village in north Wales – population 455! Beddgelert is a popular tourist destination because of its charm and scenic setting.
The town was named after a famous dog named Gelert. I’m a dog person so the legend of Gelert makes me sad, but I’ll tell it to you anyway.
Legend has it that Gelert the dog belong to Llywelyn the Great, Prince of Gwynedd. The story goes that Llywelyn came home one day to find his baby missing and Gelert with blood on his face. Believing that Gelert had killed the baby, Llywelyn kills Gelert. Shortly after, Llywelyn hears his baby crying next to a dead wolf that had attacked the baby and been killed by Gelert.
My husband remembers this legend of Gelert from his childhood, although his younger sister swears that she was told a nicer version of the story where Gelert lived. I’ve gotta say – I definitely prefer her version!
You can visit the supposed grave of Gelert in town, although the “grave” was built by a local hotel owner in the 1800s to be a tourist attraction. So, it’s not the real deal.
5. Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle, in the village of Conwy, is one of the most famous and impressive medieval castles in Wales. It was built by Edward I in the late 1200s to intimidate and control the Welsh population.
Conwy Castle cost approximately £15,000 to build, which was apparently a massive amount of money at the time.
It is one of the most famous castles in Wales and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you’re near Conwy during your day out in Wales, Conwy Castle is not to be missed. Also, you can’t really miss it if you’re nearby because it’s HUGE, lol.
If you are interested in visiting Conwy Castle during your day out in Wales, here is some information to help you plan your trip:
Hours (current as of May 2019):
- March 1 to June 30: Open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
- July 1 to August 31: Open daily from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm.
- September 1 to October 31: Open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
- November 1 to February 28: Open Monday to Saturday from 10: 00 am to 4:00 pm. Open Sunday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Closed December 24, 25 and 26, and January 1.
Admission Prices (current as of May 2019):
- Adult – £9.90
- Children under 5 – Free
- Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) – £28.90
- Disabled and companion – Free
- Juniors (Aged 5-17) / NUS / Armed Forces and Veterans – £6.00
- Seniors (Aged 65+) – £8.00
You can also buy combined tickets for Conwy Castle and Plas Mawr onsite for a slightly higher price.
6. Portmeirion
Portmeirion is the least traditionally Welsh place we visited. This was my husband’s first visit to Portmeirion, and he’s been visiting Wales his whole life. You should’ve seen his face as we walked in. He was totally surprised!
Portmeirion is a holiday resort in north Wales thats’s modeled after an Italian village. Construction began in 1925 and the first hotel opened onsite in 1926.
Portmeirion has two hotels, historic cottages, a spa, shopping, restaurants and a wild sandy beach on an estuary. The buildings at Portmeirion are extremely colorful and full of over-the-top ornamentation.
Portmeirion is also where the iconic 1960’s TV show The Prisoner was filmed. So, that only adds to its popularity as a tourist attraction. Fans of the show gather at Portmeirion annually for The Prisoner Convention to celebrate their love of the show.
If you’re interested in visiting Portmeirion during your day out in Wales, here is some information to help you plan your trip:
Hours (current as of May 2019):
Portmeirion Village is open daily, other than Christmas day:
- April 1 to November 4 – 9:30 am to 7:30pm
- November 5 to March 31 – 9:30 am to 5:30pm
I recommend checking their website to confirm the hours of any shops or restaurants you want to visit onsite, because those hours may vary from the opening hours of the village.
Admission (current as of May 2019):
- Adults: £12
- 60+ & students: £10.50
- Children (5 to 15yrs): £8.50
- Children (under 5): Free
You can also save up to 10% if you buy your tickets online before your visit. Admission to the village is free if you have a two-course lunch at Castell Deudraeth Brasserie or The Hotel Portmeirion or receive any spa treatment at Mermaid Spa.
That wraps up my list of 6 amazing things to do on a day out in Wales. I plan to visit Wales annually to see family, so if you think I’ve missed any spots, let me know in the comments. I’ll plan to visit them next time!
xx
Vicki
I never realized I wanted to visit Wales until now!
Wales is so beautiful and uncrowded! It’s definitely worth a visit!
You should visit Mwnt – best beach around!!