If you’re on holiday with the family, it’s hard to keep everybody happy at once! Some members of the family will want to go on rides, some will want to see animals, and others will be interested in history or architecture.
While you’ll probably never keep every member of the family happy at the same time, visiting several attractions and trying different activities when you visit Snowdonia will increase the chances of everyone being happy at some point during the holiday, so we’ve put together twenty ideas to get you started. The first ten are in this article; the remaining ten suggestions can be found here.
Don’t forget, there are many more suggestions at our ‘places to visit’ page!
1. Glasfryn Parc
Right on the A499 road between Caernarfon and Pwllheli is Glasfryn Parc, which does actually offer something for all the family (so the ideal place to start our list!)
Here you’ll be able to try all sorts of fun activities, including go-karting, archery and ten-pin bowling – and much more. There’s also soft play for the very young members of your group, and refreshments available when you need them.
2. Gypsy Wood Park
Younger children will love Gypsy Wood Park for the trampolines, adventure playground, fairy hunts and petting zoo. Young at heart grownups will probably most enjoy the model railways (who doesn’t enjoy playing with train sets?) and the ride-on miniature train which takes you on a fantastic tour of the park. You get one ride free with your park entry ticket, so it’s great value for money.
You can take a picnic with you (it’s a full day out with plenty to do and see) – or you can eat in the park’s cafe if you prefer.
3. Dwyfor Ranch Rabbit Farm and Animal Park
Animal-loving families will really enjoy visiting Dwyfor Ranch Rabbit Farm and Animal Park. There are lots of different animals to see, feed and pet. This attraction has a fantastic play area for the children too – and a cafe for when you need refreshments (or you can take a picnic along if you prefer).
4. GreenWood Family Park
GreenWood Family Park really is a full day out, so make sure you’re prepared to go back to your accommodation nicely tired! There’s something for all ages at GreenWood, from soft play for tiny tots to den building for older kids. Plus, of course, all the fantastic environmentally-friendly rides, like the people-powered rollercoaster and the solar-powered water chute. A firm family favourite, GreenWood offers an excellent day out for every member of the family.
5. Children’s Farm Park
Children’s Farm Park is another family attraction that offers a fun day out for families with young children. As well as fun activities like the giant sand pit, air cannons and crazy golf, Children’s Farm Park has lots of animals including cows, goats, ponies, pigs and rabbits.
6. Centre for Alternative Technology
Combining education with fun, the Centre for Alternative Technology (or CAT as it’s known) is a great place to spend a day learning about the environment and how we can look after it properly.
CAT has lots of fun activities including a fantastic adventure playground and ‘Megan the Mole’, where your children will learn about creatures that live below ground. There are many interactive displays, wildlife walks, areas where you can learn about green building techniques, and much more. Oh, and to get in, you’ll have to ride a water-balanced funicular railway up a cliffside! Lots of fun for everyone!
7. King Arthur’s Labyrinth
Snowdonia is steeped in myth and legend, and one of our most famous legendary figures is King Arthur. Stories about his life and deeds abound in this part of Britain, and at King Arthur’s Labyrinth you can hear a lot of those stories... while taking an underground boat trip!
King Arthur’s Labyrinth is part of a complex which includes other family attractions including Corris Mine Explorers and Corris Craft Centre – so this is another attraction you might like to allow a whole day for.
8. Lloyd George Museum
David Lloyd George was a famous British Prime Minister in the early 20th century. A Welsh speaker, Lloyd George spent his early years living at Highgate, his family home at Llanystumdwy. Today, Highgate is a museum dedicated to his life and deeds, and to Victorian life too; one of the highlights of a visit to the Lloyd George Museum is the opportunity to dress in Victorian clothing and experience life in a classroom from that era. An educational and fun day out for all!
9. Porth y Swnt
Another fantastic educational attraction, Porth y Swnt is at Aberdaron, on the Llyn Peninsula. Here you’ll learn about the history and culture of the Llyn Peninsula, through audio and visual presentations, artwork and sculptures. Porth y Swnt is a really unusual – dare we say unique – attraction, and well worth a visit.
10. Nant Gwrtheyrn
Nant Gwrtheyrn is a once-abandoned quarrying village that has been restored to its former beauty. The views over the sea are simply spectacular – and there’s some fantastic, if steep, walking to enjoy from the village down to the beach. Back at the village there are some fascinating displays explaining about life at the village in its heyday, as well as plenty of ways to learn about the area’s history, both real and mythical. Nant Gwrtheyrn also has a very good cafe where you can enjoy a tasty bite after all the walking.
This concludes the first part of our twenty suggestions for fun days out with a family in Snowdonia. You can read the second part here.