North Wales - Coast Road

Up the beautiful valley of the River Conwy, at Talcafn Bridge, are the magnificent Bodnant Gardens, laid out by Henry Pochin in 1875. They are particularly renowned for their rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias, as well as for the rose garden and rock garden.

The garden's Laburnam Arch is not to be missed on a spring visit.

The road from Harlech to Barmouth runs along the foot of the hills, passing through Ardudwy, for many years a center of the Welsh struggle for independence against England, and Llanaber with its early 13th century church.

Barmouth/Abermaw is a popular seaside resort situated on a narrow strip of land between the hills and the sea. Charles Darwin produced part of his treatise on the evolution of man here.

Criccieth is a popular seaside resort with a small 13th century castle, from which there are very fine views. A delicious specialty of Criccieth, which every visitor should sample, is the creamy Cadwalader's Ice Cream.

Criccieth Castle was built atop a rocky crag by Llywely the Great around 1230. It was captured and burned in 1404 by Owain Glyndwr. In its remains there are two exhibitions: "Castles of Welsh Princes" and "Gerald of Wales".

This annual festival takes place in late June in the Criccieth Castle.

Entering North Wales from Chester, the road runs alongside the Dee estuary through a heavily industrialized area to Flint, an old town which was granted a charter by Edward I in 1284. Edward also built the castle (now ruined), which has an unusual plan with a separate keep surrounded by a moat. The castle, which was begun in 1277, was the first of 17 fortresses which Edward I had built to defend the North Wales coast. It also features in Shakespeare's "Richard II" as the scene of the king's capture by Bolingbroke.

Holywell (pop. 8,905) is a place of pilgrimage, the site of St Winifred's Well.

This annual fair takes place in early May. Traditional events include a boar roast, street games, stalls, and various song and dance performances. Locals in 19th-century dress add to the festivities.

The road from Harlech to Barmouth, some 10mi/16km in length, passes through an area of great scenic beauty. Inland lies part of Snowdownia National Park, with mountains rising as high as 2,462ft/751m. Rhinog Fawr (2,362ft/720m) is popular with climbers, the starting point for the ascent being the village of Llanbedr on the Artro, a river well-known among anglers for its trout.

ATTRACTION IS CLOSED.

Of particular note at this museum is a Spitfire replica used in the TV series 'Piece of Cake' and the Jindivik pilotless aircraft.

Llanfairfechan is located in the Snowdonia National Park.

This attraction is now a Bed and Breakfast.

The center is located in the Snowdonia National Park and offers treks through the magnificent mountains and near the sea (no road work). Qualified instruction is also available for riders of all abilities. Other options include picnic rides, gymkhana and stable management courses. Rides can be booked by the hour, day or week.

There is a very beautiful road from Conwy over the Sychnant Pass to Penmaenmawr, a seaside resort particularly favored by sailing enthusiasts. To the west is the Penmaenbach promontory (783ft/239m). Here there is an interesting history trail, with Druid stone circles and a Stone Age axe factory.

In Tremadog Bay, on a wooded peninsula between Porthmadog and Harlech, is an Italian town in miniature, Portmeirion, which is now a holiday colony. Portmeirion was the brainchild of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis (1884-1978), who dreamed of recreating an Italian village in Wales and had it built on his own private promontory, together with a mansion (now a hotel) and Gwylt Gardens.