Snowdonia 3-day Itinerary

This imposing medieval fortress was originally built in the 11th century, then enhanced by King Edward I at the end of the 13th century. The scene of many a siege and sacking, and then increasingly unnecessary, it fell into disrepair so that only the shell walls remain today.

The formal gardens surrounding Bodnant Hall are the most spectacular in Wales with sections of wildflowers, rare species and water features. The highlight comes every May when the 160ft laburnum arch explodes into its canary-yellow finery.

Originally built by the English King Edward I during his 13th-century conquest of Wales – one of the so-called ‘Ring-of-Iron’ castles – Conwy remained a refuge of kings and usurpers until it was finally ruined in 1665 by the English government to prevent further revolt. An evocative complex with all the castle ingredients – keeps, moats, towers and battlements you can walk around.

At 3,560ft (1,085m) above sea-level, Mount Snowdon is the highest mountain in England and Wales, rising out of idyllic Welsh countryside. A good full day’s hiking will climb you a mountain; better still, you reap views from the summit, earn a glowing sense of achievement, and can still be home in time for tea.

If you want the splendid views without the effort, the narrow-gauge Snowdon Mountain Railway offers a one-hour scenic ascent direct to the summit.

Whether you walk or take the train, you can refuel and enjoy the view at the Hafod Eryri cafe and visitor centre at the summit, named the UK’s ‘highest watering hole’.

Located on site of the former Dinorwig slate Quarry, the Museum celebrates the slate heritage of North Wales, which transformed the area from a patchwork of rural farmsteads to a hotbed of the Industrial Revolution.

The slate was used widely to roof industrial-heartland Wales and exported around the world for civic buildings from Copenhagen to Melbourne. The workshops and outbuildings today look as if the quarrymen have just downed tools for the end of their shift.

The Museum is also mooted as a gateway hub to a new slate-heritage project in response the region being named as the UK’s 33rd UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021.

It’s a gentle 2-mile stroll, heading two miles west of Betws towards Capel Curig, to this popular gorge with its gurgling waterfall. The viewing platform has great views.

The walk delves into the woodland landscape of the Gwydyr Forest and is an example of why this small village became home to Britain’s first ever artists’ colony.

The landscape artist David Cox, a contemporary of Turner, first came to Betws in 1844. His students soon followed, establishing a popular retreat for artists during Victorian times. His best-known work, A Welsh Funeral, inspired by a funeral at the village’s 14th-century church, is today exhibited at Tate Britain.

Expect a cosy, home-from-home vibe at this adults-only boutique guesthouse nestled into the heart of Betws-y-Coed’s main thoroughfare, with comfy contemporary rooms and great local cooking.

The big draw is the home-cooked food, the Welsh tapas menu bringing a local-pride flavour to a series of Mediterranean small plates.

A large selection of artisan Welsh gins adds to the appeal for a celebratory nightcap.

Appealing to families and fans of nearby adventure sports activities, it represents a good-value base to explore Snowdonia.

It’s also a peaceful overnight stop to enjoy Betws once the coach parties have trundled off late afternoon.

Based in the former Llechwedd Quarry, one of the key slate-mining sites of Wales’ industrial revolution, this Zip World site really makes the most of its lunar-style landscape with activities for families and adrenaline junkies alike.

It’s home to five experiences, including two popular all-weather underground adventures: Bounce Below is a series of giant underground trampolines; and ‘Caverns’, a brilliant 3-hour underground via Ferrata course with swings, rope bridges, tightropes and more.

The big draw, though, is Titan 2, the first four-person zipline in Europe; now part of tour and double-zip experience descending from the heights of the area’s manmade mountains. Takes 90 minutes. Ages 7+.

For the less adrenaline, more culturally-inclined, the fascinating ‘Deep Mine Tour’ delves back in history to recreate the conditions for 19th century miners working on the Llechwedd mine’s 16 underground levels.

The Welsh Highland Railway is the UK’s longest heritage railway line and an engineering gem for steam enthusiasts and sightseers alike.

It’s a stunning 25-mile route running from the station near Caernarfon Castle, via Beddgelert, onto Porthmadog. The journey builds to a dramatic crescendo through the Aberglaslyn Pass, the train edging along the rock shelf above the River Glaslyn. Head to the open-air carriage for the best views here.

The route is designed as a hop-on, hop-off service with regular stops along the way – make a stop at the village of Beddgelert, one of Snowdonia’s picture-postcard highlights, for coffee and ice-creams. You can walk along the river to Gelert’s Grave, a place of Welsh mythology. Also combine it with a visit to Caernarfon Castle.

If 25 miles is not enough, it also connects with the Ffestiniog Railway at Porthmadog to complete 40 steam-powered miles through the rural heart of Snowdonia.

The fairy-tale village, located outside Porthmadog, was the labour-of-love lifework of the architect Clough Williams-Ellis. His visionary collection of Italianate-style buildings makes for an eccentric family day out. Book tickets online in advance during peak times.