Where to stay near Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda?
Discussion
We are off to ride the long zip line thing late August time and need some recommendations on where to stay please.
Will be driving up from Southampton so 2 nights would be ideal. This is for my other halfs birthday. She's not fussy, but would like something that's not too shabby. Budget is as little as possible because I'm tight
Also, some recommendations on what else we can do when there. Will aim to arrive mid afternoon on a Saturday, Zip Wire Sunday morning and leave Monday late afternoon. I'd like to get a bike ride in at some point too (she won't join me so will need something to keep her entertained in the hotel).
Suggestions please.
Will be driving up from Southampton so 2 nights would be ideal. This is for my other halfs birthday. She's not fussy, but would like something that's not too shabby. Budget is as little as possible because I'm tight
Also, some recommendations on what else we can do when there. Will aim to arrive mid afternoon on a Saturday, Zip Wire Sunday morning and leave Monday late afternoon. I'd like to get a bike ride in at some point too (she won't join me so will need something to keep her entertained in the hotel).
Suggestions please.
I wouldn't stay in Bethesda!
If you want to explore Snowdonia then Betws Y Coed might be an option but it will be pricey this time of year.
Menai Bridge and Beaumaris would be my best suggestion as they have some nice pubs/places to eat and it would take about 15 minutes to get the Zip line.
Beaumaris has a really good ice cream shop!
Things to do:
Anglesey circuit isn't that far and might have something on while your up- its used by Evo, Fifth gear and I've recently seen a few camouflage prototypes knocking around the area.
If walking is your thing you could visit Newborough (Not far from the circuit) or even trek up Snowdon!
Not sure what you drive but you could take in the Evo triangle and stop of at the Ponderosa café to look at the cars and bikes?
You could drive across the Menai Suspension Bridge or Britannia Bridge and power boat rides go up and down the straights from Beaumaris showing where Alex Ferguson has a house and Roger Moore lived.
Llandudno has a nice pier and sea front
Bangor is ok if you want to stop over but it can be a little rough at night. Caernarfon is nice but again in the evening it can get a little loud. Travelodge is available in Caernarfon and its near the harbour with a few places to eat.
Avoid Rhyl!
That's all I can think of for now!
If you want to explore Snowdonia then Betws Y Coed might be an option but it will be pricey this time of year.
Menai Bridge and Beaumaris would be my best suggestion as they have some nice pubs/places to eat and it would take about 15 minutes to get the Zip line.
Beaumaris has a really good ice cream shop!
Things to do:
Anglesey circuit isn't that far and might have something on while your up- its used by Evo, Fifth gear and I've recently seen a few camouflage prototypes knocking around the area.
If walking is your thing you could visit Newborough (Not far from the circuit) or even trek up Snowdon!
Not sure what you drive but you could take in the Evo triangle and stop of at the Ponderosa café to look at the cars and bikes?
You could drive across the Menai Suspension Bridge or Britannia Bridge and power boat rides go up and down the straights from Beaumaris showing where Alex Ferguson has a house and Roger Moore lived.
Llandudno has a nice pier and sea front
Bangor is ok if you want to stop over but it can be a little rough at night. Caernarfon is nice but again in the evening it can get a little loud. Travelodge is available in Caernarfon and its near the harbour with a few places to eat.
Avoid Rhyl!
That's all I can think of for now!
Just noticed the bike ride part :
Mountain bike: Idealy you want to be near Betws Y coed to do the Marin Trail or Penmachno trail (could cycle around Newborough but its not very challenging!).
Road bike: you could stay anywhere as you will be spoilt for choice- Anglesey is nice to cycle around but its quite flat and as a result it can be windy and hard going if your riding in to a head wind all day (which can happen)!
If you ride around Snowdonia be prepared for some of the hills, head to llanberis and cycle up Pen Y Pass, from here either turn left to Capel curig then Betws Y Coed or Bethesda or turn right to Bedgellert and Caernarfon.
:Mountain bike: Idealy you want to be near Betws Y coed to do the Marin Trail or Penmachno trail (could cycle around Newborough but its not very challenging!).
Road bike: you could stay anywhere as you will be spoilt for choice- Anglesey is nice to cycle around but its quite flat and as a result it can be windy and hard going if your riding in to a head wind all day (which can happen)!
If you ride around Snowdonia be prepared for some of the hills, head to llanberis and cycle up Pen Y Pass, from here either turn left to Capel curig then Betws Y Coed or Bethesda or turn right to Bedgellert and Caernarfon.
Croeso i Gymru!
You'll have a great time. I did the Zip Wire a couple of months ago and it's brilliant!
I can recommend the Moel Siabod Cafe in Capel Curig or Pete's Eats in Llanberis if you want good, hearty meals with a good atmosphere. They may not be fine dining but really hit the spot after a day in the hills.
You'll have a great time. I did the Zip Wire a couple of months ago and it's brilliant!
I can recommend the Moel Siabod Cafe in Capel Curig or Pete's Eats in Llanberis if you want good, hearty meals with a good atmosphere. They may not be fine dining but really hit the spot after a day in the hills.
Edited by Rh14n on Tuesday 7th July 13:14
It's all coming together nicely.
Saturday: 2.5hr drive up to Drayton Manor then a 2.5hr drive from Drayton Manor to Swallow Falls arriving in the evening.
Sunday: Walk up Snowdon via Pyg track or Miners track, back down on the train.
Monday: Zip wire in the morning, then 5hr drive home in the afternoon/evening stopping somewhere (Stratford upon Avon?)
My only issue is if she doesn't want to walk up Snowdon. It is her birthday after all! (I'd be delighted if it was mine!) so can anyone suggest a good backup plan for the Sunday if she decides against it?
Saturday: 2.5hr drive up to Drayton Manor then a 2.5hr drive from Drayton Manor to Swallow Falls arriving in the evening.
Sunday: Walk up Snowdon via Pyg track or Miners track, back down on the train.
Monday: Zip wire in the morning, then 5hr drive home in the afternoon/evening stopping somewhere (Stratford upon Avon?)
My only issue is if she doesn't want to walk up Snowdon. It is her birthday after all! (I'd be delighted if it was mine!) so can anyone suggest a good backup plan for the Sunday if she decides against it?
If you want something active why not try Bounce Below http://www.bouncebelow.net/ in Blaenau Ffestiniog owned by the same guy who owns Zip World, or Tree Tops in Betws http://www.ttadventure.co.uk/. Electric Mountain in Llanberis is pretty good and really impressive http://www.electricmountain.co.uk/.
Alternatively you could just bimble around Betws y Coed (oh, and please don't call it Betsy Coed as that's really rather annoying) or Llanberis or drive anywhere around the area for great scenery.
Plenty to do in the short time you have.
Alternatively you could just bimble around Betws y Coed (oh, and please don't call it Betsy Coed as that's really rather annoying) or Llanberis or drive anywhere around the area for great scenery.
Plenty to do in the short time you have.
The zip lines are amazing mate, you will have a smile on your face for the rest of the day, just make sure you check weather beforehand as sometimes the long zip is closed off due to bad weather, just give them a call before u set off or check their website.
Bets y coed or Blaenau Ffestiniog are both good places to stay, I would prefer bets y coed as there are a few different places to eat and drink and there is a shell petrol station at one end of the village. llanberis is another good shout, at the base of mt Snowdon, but it's pretty quiet on an evening (not to say the others aren't!) llanberis pass is nice drive if you can get a clear run.
Angelsey is lovely too, the beach at treardurr bay (sp) is great, and Aberffraw which is very close to the angelsey circuit is lovely. If you pref to stay in angelsey the prince Llewelyn B and B near the circuit is a nice clean place to stay and its run by a very nice couple who go out their way to make your stay comfortable, and the breakfasts are lovely there too!!!
Hope that helps, have a great trip!
Jam
Bets y coed or Blaenau Ffestiniog are both good places to stay, I would prefer bets y coed as there are a few different places to eat and drink and there is a shell petrol station at one end of the village. llanberis is another good shout, at the base of mt Snowdon, but it's pretty quiet on an evening (not to say the others aren't!) llanberis pass is nice drive if you can get a clear run.
Angelsey is lovely too, the beach at treardurr bay (sp) is great, and Aberffraw which is very close to the angelsey circuit is lovely. If you pref to stay in angelsey the prince Llewelyn B and B near the circuit is a nice clean place to stay and its run by a very nice couple who go out their way to make your stay comfortable, and the breakfasts are lovely there too!!!
Hope that helps, have a great trip!
Jam
Jam Rock said:
The zip lines are amazing mate, you will have a smile on your face for the rest of the day, just make sure you check weather beforehand as sometimes the long zip is closed off due to bad weather, just give them a call before u set off or check their website.
Bets y coed or Blaenau Ffestiniog are both good places to stay, I would prefer bets y coed as there are a few different places to eat and drink and there is a shell petrol station at one end of the village. llanberis is another good shout, at the base of mt Snowdon, but it's pretty quiet on an evening (not to say the others aren't!) llanberis pass is nice drive if you can get a clear run.
Angelsey is lovely too, the beach at treardurr bay (sp) is great, and Aberffraw which is very close to the angelsey circuit is lovely. If you pref to stay in angelsey the prince Llewelyn B and B near the circuit is a nice clean place to stay and its run by a very nice couple who go out their way to make your stay comfortable, and the breakfasts are lovely there too!!!
Hope that helps, have a great trip!
Jam
"Bets y Coed" - Aaaargh! Please see my previous post above Bets y coed or Blaenau Ffestiniog are both good places to stay, I would prefer bets y coed as there are a few different places to eat and drink and there is a shell petrol station at one end of the village. llanberis is another good shout, at the base of mt Snowdon, but it's pretty quiet on an evening (not to say the others aren't!) llanberis pass is nice drive if you can get a clear run.
Angelsey is lovely too, the beach at treardurr bay (sp) is great, and Aberffraw which is very close to the angelsey circuit is lovely. If you pref to stay in angelsey the prince Llewelyn B and B near the circuit is a nice clean place to stay and its run by a very nice couple who go out their way to make your stay comfortable, and the breakfasts are lovely there too!!!
Hope that helps, have a great trip!
Jam
Oh, and in case you're looking for some of the other places on a map, it may help to use correct the correct spellings e.g mt. Snowdon is Yr Wyddfa, Angelsey is Anglesey and Treardurr bay is Trearddur Bay!Slight spanner in the works. As suspected she doesn't want to walk up Snowdon on the Sunday. Looks like the Zoo in Colwyn Bay.
We've agreed to give Drayton Manor a miss on the Saturday so will be taking a bimble up to Wales on the Saturday.
Google maps suggests the best route from Southampton is A34, M40, M42, M6, M54 then A5. 255 miles and 4h55m.
I reckon there must be a better/more interesting route. Possibly heading into Wales slightly earlier? Any suggestions please?
We've agreed to give Drayton Manor a miss on the Saturday so will be taking a bimble up to Wales on the Saturday.
Google maps suggests the best route from Southampton is A34, M40, M42, M6, M54 then A5. 255 miles and 4h55m.
I reckon there must be a better/more interesting route. Possibly heading into Wales slightly earlier? Any suggestions please?
To be honest, that probably is a fairly good route - the A5 in Wales is picturesque through Llangollen, along the Dee valley, then Betws y Coed, Cwm Ogwen and Cwm Idwal. The alternative I suppose is making your way via Abergavenny or even the A470 to Dolgellau but they're not that great.
To be honest, that probably is a fairly good route - the A5 in Wales is picturesque through Llangollen, along the Dee valley, then Betws y Coed, Cwm Ogwen and Cwm Idwal. The alternative I suppose is making your way via Abergavenny or even the A470 to Dolgellau but they're not that great.
Hi,
Might be a little too late posting here! But I live in Bethesda, where the ZipWire is. Bethesda is a small village and other than the zipwire, there isnt a whole lot to do. Betws Y Coed is geared up more towards the tourism side of things - but will be expensive. Swallow Falls is good value but isnt actually in Betws itself, it's a couple of miles up the A5 along a twisty bit of road. Daunting if walking back in the dark!
Blaenau Ffestiniog was mentioned in an earlier post, although nice, its a bit out of the way - a good 45 minute drive to Zipworld in Bethesda. On the other hand, they have a great downhill mtb track and a smaller zipwire! There's an underground trampoline place called Bounce Below (mentioned earlier), worth a look!
M54 then A5 is your best bet! Don't be fooled by the satnav who will undoubtedly send you along the m6, m56, a55 route!
Anyway, wherever you stay, I guarantee you'll be back again next year!
It's a beautiful part of the country!
Might be a little too late posting here! But I live in Bethesda, where the ZipWire is. Bethesda is a small village and other than the zipwire, there isnt a whole lot to do. Betws Y Coed is geared up more towards the tourism side of things - but will be expensive. Swallow Falls is good value but isnt actually in Betws itself, it's a couple of miles up the A5 along a twisty bit of road. Daunting if walking back in the dark!
Blaenau Ffestiniog was mentioned in an earlier post, although nice, its a bit out of the way - a good 45 minute drive to Zipworld in Bethesda. On the other hand, they have a great downhill mtb track and a smaller zipwire! There's an underground trampoline place called Bounce Below (mentioned earlier), worth a look!
M54 then A5 is your best bet! Don't be fooled by the satnav who will undoubtedly send you along the m6, m56, a55 route!
Anyway, wherever you stay, I guarantee you'll be back again next year!
It's a beautiful part of the country! Edited by Dion20vt on Friday 21st August 09:51
Just back, thanks for the advice. Utterly stunning part of the world. A5 was an enjoyable drive. Went up the A470? To the zoo and then back down to Ffestiniog to the slate mine. Roads were great and the scenery...wow. I've spent time in few alps and this is just as stunning. Been looking for business for sale since I've been home....
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