Outdoor Fun and Adventure for the Whole Family
Discover the joy of 'Hwyl' in Eryri (Snowdonia) and Pen Llŷn
Once the clocks go back, the days get longer and the sun comes out, we all crave a bit of fresh air. The only snag is having to constantly think of places to go; it’s no mean feat keeping the entire family entertained! The good news is that there are countless outdoor pursuits to be found across Eryri and Pen Llŷn, from sporting and adventurous activities, to scenic walks and parks. Join us on a whistlestop tour across the region and you’ll soon be all set for fantastic days out, creating memories to last a lifetime.
If you fancy making a day of it, perhaps heading out with friends and returning home early evening with exhausted children, then GreenWood Family Park needs to be at the top of your list. This ecofriendly park is a stone’s throw from the village of Felinheli and offers more than enough to keep you occupied all day; from climbing frames and rollercoasters to water slides and barefoot trails. Don’t forget to book your tickets online in advance – it’s a popular destination. Another spot that can keep the little ones entertained all day long is Gypsy Wood Family Fun Park in Bontnewydd, just outside Caernarfon. Come meet the animals, enjoy a trip on the miniature railway and try and escape the woodland maze! With an on-site café you can easily while away the day here.
Not far from the seaside town of Pwllheli you’ll find Glasfryn Parc, the ideal spot for the whole family, especially if you have a few teenagers in tow. Whizz round the track on single or double go-karts, give archery a go, or even try your hand at clay pigeon shooting. With a café, bar and ten pin bowling alley, there’s something for everyone. If you’re near Bala, you could spend a night or two as a family at the Urdd’s Glan-llyn. On certain days during the school holidays Glan-llyn is open to families, giving you the opportunity to experience the fun and thrill of all the activities there together, from climbing to canoeing and paddleboarding. And best of all, with on-site catering you won’t have to cook a single meal or do the washing up!
When the sun’s shining sometimes all you need is a substantial picnic, and a place to go where the children can run and play safely. If that’s what you’re looking for, why not head over to Parc Padarn Country Park in Llanberis? There’s a playground, ideal spots to practice your stone-skimming skills, and a footpath that takes you up to the old Quarry Hospital. As you can see from their website, Natural Resource Wales also have plenty of places to explore in the area. From the Gwydir Forest Park in Dolwyddelan, to Cwrt Forest which lies between Trawsfynydd and Ganllwyd, where you’ll find trails to Pistyll Gwyn waterfall, and a longer trail that offers a taste of the Rhinog’s wilderness.
The National Trust also offers a range of locations that are perfect for family outings; from Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant, the birthplace of Bishop William Morgan – the first to translate the Bible into Welsh, to the beautiful Porthor (Whistling Sands) beach on the Llŷn. Or why not explore one of Wales’s largest woodlands, Coed Felenrhyd and Llennyrch near Maentwrog? The children will be happy here for hours looking for treasure or fairies! If you’re bringing your four-legged friend too, make sure you follow the Dog Walking Code to make sure that everyone has a great day.
If you’re a family that loves swimming and watersports, then rest assured that you can satisfy your adventure craving in Eryri. Get your wet gear ready and head over to the Tryweryn National White Water Centre in the village of Frongoch near Bala. With over 40 years of experience, the Tryweryn Centre offers a host of activities for families, from ultimate rafting and orca extreme rafting to kayaking and canyoning. If you’re thirsty for more then head down the road to Bala where you can hire boats, kayaks and canoes, climb, abseil and much more at the Bala Adventure and Watersports Centre.
Over at Snowdonia Watersports, Llanberis you can hire kayaks or paddleboards or pay for a session with a profession trainer to make sure you make the most of your time in the water knowing that you are completely safe. One of the area’s best centres for outdoor adventures is Plas Menai near the village of Felinheli. Why not make your day out or holiday one to remember with a sailing, windsurfing or windfoiling sessions? The water’s waiting for you!
When people think of Eryri and Pen Llŷn they naturally think of the mountains, and there are plenty of peaks waiting to be explored here. RAW Adventures regularly lead mountain walks, so you can enjoy an amazing adventure, knowing you’re in safe hands. From Cader Idris to Foel-goch and Moel Eilio, joining a RAW Adventures guided climb is a fantastic way to see them all. Boulders Adventures and Ropeworks Active in Llanberis also offer guided walks, as well as many other outdoor activities for the whole family including raft-building, gorge scrambling, climbing, abseiling and much more. Take a look at all they have to offer and start planning your adventure today. To ensure a fantastic and safe day for all, make sure you read the Adventure Smart guidance before you set off.
How about some fun on two wheels? Many families enjoy cycling, but it can be tricky trying to transport a whole load of bikes. So why not make it easy for yourself and hire a bike? Dolgellau Cycles in the centre of Dolgellau, Beics Antur Bikes in Caernarfon and Beics Ogwen in Bethesda all offer bike hire and maintenance. With all three locations a stone’s throw away from a cycling trail, you’ll be all set in no time. And if you need a little help on the hills don’t forget that e-bikes are also an option – there are plenty available at Discover Llŷn! Travelling by bike is a fantastic way to get to know an area, and it’s always more fun than being stuck in the car.
If you’re still not satisfied, there are even more activities available. If golfing is what you love, head over the Llŷn Golff in Penrhos near Pwllheli. You can enjoy a round of golf here or even give footgolf a go! Everyone’s welcome; no previous experience is necessary. Another activity that’s bound to make your day memorable is hacking on a horse through the countryside. Over at the Pen Llŷn Lusitano Stud and Riding Centre you can enjoy a lesson in the stables, or head out to enjoy the beautiful scenery on comfortable cobs. Again, all abilities are welcome, and no previous experience is necessary.
If you want to plan something special, or crave some adrenaline, then Zip World is the place for you. At locations in Penrhyn, Llechwedd and Betws y Coed, Zip World offers breath-taking activities such as zipping over Penrhyn Quarry on the fastest zip line in the world, or bouncing in a trampoline-style adventure within a vast underground cavern! Perhaps you’ll need a slower day after all those thrills; you could do worse than to spend the day fishing trout at the scenic Cregennan Lakes to the west of Dolgellau. Families, novices, and experienced fishermen are all welcome.
And last but certainly not least, are the playgrounds. Grab yourself a cuppa, and head over to one of the region’s many playgrounds (the Caernarfon, Edern and Dolgellau parks are amongst the best) to enjoy five-minutes to yourself while the children and young people run, play and take in the outdoors.
At the end of that whistlestop tour you should be all set for a fantastic outdoor adventure with your family. Don’t forget that you needn’t travel to these destinations by car; you can get to many of them on public transport. You can buy a North Wales Rover ticket that allows you to travel on trains and buses for a day, or the 1bws multi-operator ticket gives you access to 27 bus operators and nearly 200 bus routes across North Wales. Why not see if you can make use of the area’s Llŷn fflecsi bus service? For friendly travel advice give Traveline Cymru a call on 0800 464 00 00 and you’ll be heading out of the door in no time.