A friend had decided to take a short break to Snowdonia, she kindly offered to allow me to tag along. At first I was slightly worried about the amount of snow that was forecast in the Snowdonia area before the weekend and during. However the area we were staying in only got a few light flurry’s of snow.

Conwy Castle

Unfortunately, the castle was closed due to the snow, causing a few of the access paths to become slippy. So we did not get to see the castle from inside. However, Conwy is a walled town so just entering the town felt like I was already inside the castle. There is a walk along the impressive outer wall that leads from the coast to the castle. This walk gives you a good look at the castle from slightly afar.

There is a statue of Llywelyn the Great. Who founded the Cistercian abbey of Aberconwy, which is at the center of Conwy.

Conwy is also the home of The smallest house in Britain.

Walk from the cottage to Dina Dinelle.

Once we arrived at the cottage we decided to take a walk to the nearest beach with was a 1.6 mile walk. We past through the small village of Llandwrog which has a very good looking church (St Twrogs) and cemetery which we stopped to have a wonder around. One of the tombs was slightly ajar which was a bit creepy. After passing a few fields with some noisy sheep and lambs, we came upon the beach we were looking for.

We didn’t stay too long at the beach, as the tide was slightly high. Heading back we looked at the menu of the pub in Llandwrog, The Harp Inn. We decided that we would go in for a few drinks another night.

Caernarfon Castle

This impressive castle sits right on the coast and offers stunning views of Anglesey.

If you want to learn a bit of history you can certainly do that here.

In 1911, Caernarfon Castle was used for the investiture of the Prince of Wales, and in 1969 it was used by Queen Elizabeth II to formally invests her son Charles with the Prince of Wales coronet. There is a tower devoted to the history of the Princes of Wales.

The Castle also hosts the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum within 2 towers. With some stunning displays and exhibitions you will learn the history of Wales’ oldest infantry regiment.

Lets go find a standing stone…

On my OS map I noticed a label that was very close to where we were staying. All that was written was ’Standing Stone’. We decided to go for another walk to the beach but this time via the Standing Stone. We followed the road and then a public footpath, which lead us through a field. This field was currently being occupied by sheep with lambs, I’m just glad that none of them decided to get all territorial and charge us. After a short trek through this field and then one more, we came to a road that we followed a short way. According to the GPS on my phone the Standing Stone was in a field which appeared to be private land. As we had walked a bit of a way now, we wasn’t about to turn back because of that small fact.

Turns out that this Standing Stone is a bit of a let down, its in no way impressive and has no information about it at the site. It might as well not even be on the OS map.

St Peter Ad Vincula

Dedicated to Saint Peter in Chains, this church sits in the middle of the small village of Pennal. The thing that puts this church on the map is its association with Owain Glyndŵr the last Welsh Pendragon. It was during Lent in 1406 that Prince Owain Glyndŵr presided over the last Assembly of an independent Wales, which made Pennal church Prince Owain Glyndwr’s Chapel Royal.

King Arthurs Labyrinth

Sail underground, through the great waterfall, and deep inside the spectacular caverns and far back in time.

Greeted at the mouth of a cave by a hooded robed figure, our guide through the labyrinth. We are taken into the cave to a boat on an underground river. As we pass through a magical waterfall we are transported back in time to the time of King Arthur.

Through-out the journey we were told of the Walsh myths of the legendary King. Most of these stories were completely new to me. It was definitely worth going just for those stories.

Harlech Castle

Sitting upon a mound, above the town, Harlech Castle is one of my favourites. With an impressive views of the sea, rolling sand dunes and the mountains of Snowdonia, you almost forget the history this castle has had. Commissioned by Edward I of England in 1283, captured by Owain Glyndŵr, and later the stronghold of Henry V.

I will almost certainly be re-visiting again in the summer.

Conwy Castle (second visit)

On our last day we decided to drive back to Conwy Castle. Good news this time it was open.

Sitting at a crossing point on the river, this castle has an impressive bridged entrance that is now sealed. We climbed the turrets and walked along the walkways, the views across the walled town to the coast were amazing. The Castle has a recently installation of art, depicting some of the local Welsh history.

While standing looking down on the town we spotted a bird of prey demonstration just at the foot of the castle, which we decided to checkout.

Map of Locations