How To Have The Perfect Visit To Snowdonia, Wales
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Snowdonia is one of the most popular locations to visit in the UK. It’s absolutely one of my favourites, if not my absolute favourite spot to visit in the entire country. I have visited multiple times and travelled to various locations across the entire national park.
One of the problems I ran into when I first visited was knowing where to actually go. It’s such a vast area with so much to do. I had no idea what I should prioritise, which locations would suit my interests and what the truly special parts of Snowdonia were. During my first visit, I found it very hard to organise my trip, simply because I wasn’t sure where to start. But never fear, because I am here to make sure this doesn’t happen to you!
I think everyone should visit Snowdonia at least once. There are so many things I want to share with you about this amazing part of the UK. Make sure not to miss out on a single thing so you can have the full experience when you visit this beautiful national park.
What is Snowdonia?
Snowdonia is a national park in North Wales. It is a favourite spot for hikers, wildlife watchers, and history lovers. This is one of the main areas in Wales where a large percentage of the population are native Welsh speakers. It is linked to many myths and legends as well as ancient Welsh history. The area of Snowdonia is a living and working location with towns and villages giving an insight into the Welsh culture of today. Alongside these are beautiful views and landscapes to be explored. There is so much variety to be discovered here.
Why is Snowdonia a great place to visit?
- It’s beautiful. Snowdonia is one of the most mountainous regions in the UK and boasts spectacular views and landscapes. Rolling hills and jagged mountains rise up over the seas and lakes. Even stunning waterfalls can be found in amongst the mountains. The sights in Snowdonia are sure to take your breath away.
- It has a rich history and culture. North Wales has the highest concentration of native Welsh speakers than any other part of the country. There is a distinctive culture up here, and many citizens feel very connected to their Welsh identity. From the ancient castles where you can explore the Welsh fight against the English invaders to the importance of the slate mining industry on society, you can enjoy so much history and culture in North Wales.
- It’s a great place to see wildlife. One of the top places to birdwatch is the dedicated observatory on Bardsey Island. Here you can see many species of birds that it is rare to see anywhere else. If it’s puffins you’re looking for, you may be in for a chance on Anglesey. Head to the coastal path on South Stack, which is where I saw my first two puffins ever! If you’re up for a boat trip you can travel over to Puffin Island which, as you might guess, gives you a great chance at seeing these amazing birds. The best place to spot seals and porpoises is on the very edge of Porthdinllaen.
Even more reasons to visit Snowdonia!
- There are some amazing hikes. Due to the mountainous landscape, there are some of the best hikes in the entire UK to be found in Snowdonia. If you’re well practised and have an entire day to dedicate, then hiking to the summit of Snowdon should be one of the first things on your list. The Llanberis path is one of the most popular hiking routes up to Snowdon. Other popular routes include Aber Falls, Dinas Emrys, Cader Idris, and The Glyderau.
- It holds great adventures. Snowdonia is the perfect place to visit for adventurous types. Besides hiking, there are so many other adventures to have. There are tons of beautiful lakes to go kayaking or wild swimming in. There are scrambles, amazing mountain biking routes, and sea caves to discover. Make sure to always check a location is safe before you go exploring. Otherwise, there are some of the most exciting spots to explore in Snowdonia!
- The beaches. Fancy a sunbathe without having to get on a flight? Snowdonia has some beautiful sandy beaches for you to head to. Ty Coch Inn is one of the best beach bars in the entire world, with it’s very own private beach. This one is also sheltered from the wind, so makes a nice warm spot even on a blustery day. Other options for gorgeous sandy beaches include Harlech Beach, Porth O’er and Llanbedrog.
- It’s magical! Snowdonia is linked to the myths and legends of King Arthur and Merlin. Pretty much wherever you go, there’s a magical story linked to the location! Even some of the most iconic places are linked to the legends, including Snowdon, Dinas Emrys, and Bardsey Island. It’s such a significant part of Snowdonia’s culture, I’ve even made an entire post on the myths and legends linked to King Arthur. Follow this link to read my post and discover the magic of Snowdonia.
How start planning your visit to Snowdonia
- One of the first things to do is figure out what you want to do, and where you should stay. For instance, if you want to go wildlife watching, then near Anglesey and the north of the Llyn Peninsula is the best place for you. If you want to go hiking, then you should stay near the middle of the national park near Mount Snowdon. If you fancy a beachy holiday, then the south of the Llyn Peninsula is your top spot.
- Have an itinerary. There are so many things to discover in Snowdonia that, if you’re not organised, you can miss out on so much. That’s definitely not what you want if you’ve travelled a long way to be there. The best way to avoid this happening is to have some sort of plan for what you want to do each day. Even if it’s a vague one, this means that you can make sure to get everything you want to do done. You can even plan to do things in the same area on the same day to be more efficient.
- Pick the perfect accommodation. Once you’ve decided the area you’re going to stay in, your next step is to choose the accommodation you’re going to stay in. I think this is actually one of the most important parts of any trip. This is going to be the place you come back to in the evening to relax and put your feet up. Your second home for the duration of your trip. For such an active trip like visiting Snowdonia, you’ll definitely need to stay somewhere that will make you feel refreshed for the next day. To help you on your way, here a couple of my top accommodation recommendations for each area of Snowdonia:
Accommodation in South Snowdonia
(best for the beaches)
- Lawrenny Lodge – Barmouth
- Allibella Shepherds Hut – Barmouth
- Awel Y Mor Morfa Bychan – Tremadoc
- Garth Engan B&B – Llanbedr
Accommodation in Mid Snowdonia
(best for hiking)
- Plas Tan y Graig B&B – Beddgelert
- Old Tanymanod Terrace – Blaenau-Ffestiniog
- Pantlleni – Beddgelert
- Melin Newydd – Llanfihangel-y-pennant
Accommodation in North Snowdonia
(best for wildlife watching)
- Pantlon Cottage – Morfa Nefyn
- Ednyfed Apartment – Nefyn
- Coastal Pods – South Stack
- Gwyndaf Bed And Breakfast – Beaumaris
Tips for a perfect Snowdonia visit
- Do your research. My post only scratches the surface, so make sure to read some more to figure out which spots are perfect for YOU.
- Plan your days. You will fit the most in with an itinerary, so make sure to set a couple of goals for each day so you can make the most of your trip.
- Pack well. British weather is famously unpredictable, and Wales more than anywhere. Make sure to pack trainers and a raincoat just in case. Make sure to take a swimming costume and towel too.
- Take your camera. There are so many amazing sights you won’t want to forget. Make sure to take your camera to capture them forever.
- Set some time aside to relax. Trips to places like Snowdonia can end up really busy and full on, and there’s no point feeling stressed out on your trip. While walking is a great stress reliever, set time aside to meditate, journal, read or do any other activity you find relaxing. This will ensure you get the absolute most out of your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
The last thing you need to know about Snowdonia
Snowdonia is one of the most magical, enriching places you can possibly visit in the UK. It is one of the best places to travel and have a sure bet that you are going to have an amazing time. There is so much to do here that you will have absolutely every base covered. No matter what your interests are, there will be something to excite you in Snowdonia.
I really hope my post has helped you either plan your visit or decide that Snowdonia is the next place you’re going to take a trip to. If you want more ideas for where to visit, feel free to subscribe to my mailing list. I often write articles on hiking and nature reserves so, if these interest you, make sure to keep an eye open.
Thank you so much for reading my article and I hope to see you back here again soon.
Ta-ta for now! x
