Caernarfon is known for its medieval castle, but its history stretches another millennium back. The…read moreRomans set up camp here under this name, and from this elevation they had views of Snowdonia to one side and the waters to the other. You now have these same views plus the fortifications of the buildings that once stood here. The grounds are fenced, so you are advised to adhere to the visiting hours. The museum may or may not be open when you arrive - it wasn't during my visit. As such, I can't totally vouch for what this site offers completely. Know that in my case my enjoyment of the site was based on my attempts to imagine the times of the past more than what is actually seen here. There are more evocative Roman sites in Britain, and while the scenery is nice it can admittedly be observed throughout Caernarfon (certainly from a tower of the castle). But I am an American, and cannot easily call a site with visible Roman heritage "average". I'm giving it a 4-star rating in this case, assuming that the museum provides good info. I would not call this an essential site to see in Caernarfon, but it's certainly worth the half-hour trek there and back to see it if you have the time. Standing on the site, framing the structural roots of the building in the forefront, the castle in the distance, and the estuary beyond, you feel like you are gazing through multiple eras of history simultaneously.

Good place to take the younger members of the family if they like their local history of all thing…read mores roman.Museum it self is small and parking can be difficult on the main road to Beddgelert out of Caernarfon but there is a little side road almost opposite the museum people can use to park.The place itself is full of acient artefacts found around the Caernarfon area.It gives you a feeling of how the old roman fort used to look like and the way they lived their lives back in the era.The old footings of their barracks are still there for you to take a look round and see what biught them to the area in the first place.

This is the home of the Marquis of Anglesey and is famous for the Whistler Mural. You are able to…read moretake a tour of the house and grounds. There are also boat trips available along the Menai Straits. It is also possible to visit the grounds without paying an entrance charge which gives you access to the cafe and shop. The food at the cafe is good and there are tables inside and outside. The shop stocks a good range of National Trust items.There is a children's adventure playground outside and sometimes in the summer you can catch a game of croquet in progress on the extensive lawns. The parking is free.

If you are in the area of Blaenau Ffestiniog then this attraction is worth a visit. The guided tour…read moretakes you, by almost vertical train, 500 feet deep into the Llechwedd Slate Caverns where the best slate was mined for centuries. From there on the guide describes the terrible working conditions that those miners had to endure. We were lucky in that ours was a small party and the guide a rather comical character. I think that may be down to the group we were with, who were also comical. Interesting, informative tour. Take a coat, it is cold down there. Walking through numerous caverns with a son et lumiere description at each stop. Passing the Cheddar cheese storing area. We were told jokingly, that everyone was searched on the way out (we bought some in Sainsburys to try. The best Cheddar ever, flavour stays in the mouth for at least 30 minutes) Finally a slate splitting demonstration. The guy pulled out of our group a 9 year old young lady. He said that you had to be 12 to do this. Asked her age, coyly she said 12 LOL. After she had split the slate, he gave her the piece and told her to go back to her parents and become 9 again. As I said, a great character. Highly recommended tour.

Quick glance: + good activity when raining…read more+ interactive and educational, learning about slate mining and lives of miners from 100 years ago + great for children and families - restricted time in the mines - a bit pricey Llechwedd Slate Caverns of Blaenau Ffestiniog is part of a living, working slate mine that has been active since 1836. The mine offers two underground tours - one via a tram and the other a "self-guided" tour. The tramway takes you underground where you get off at designated spots while a guide talks to you about the history and stories of slate mining. In this tour, you have the opportunity to ask any tricky questions you may have. The tour ends at their "factory" where you can see workers splitting slates. You also have a chance to purchase slate products, including coasters and personalised house plates. The self-guided tour is done in a group. Once you have descended to the passageway, you walk through the entire "exhibit" as guided by the lights and the pre-recorded messages. Although you are walking freely as a group, you are also forced to keep in time with the tour as one area of the cave will dim and force you to carry on walking. To do both tours, the price is £13.50 for adults and £10.50 for children (as at Sep 2010). Each tour takes about 1 hour. There are also some other areas to explore, such as an old "bank" and some dining facilities. Overall, it is an educational and entertaining activity especially in rainy weather. It is slightly pricey to do both tours but worth the learning experience. There is also a chance to buy personalised slates as souvenirs to add to the novelty factor.

We visited the little fairground off the Maes in Pwllheli with our kids aged 9 and 4 over the…read moresummer. It's not great as there isn't all that much there, there's the dodgems, a ghost train, a slide and some smaller rides for younger kids. What it is though is very reasonably priced, with the smaller rides starting a 50p a go and the dodgems at £2 a car, however as the cars are two seaters that's £1 a person. It was very quiet when we were there so when the kids went on the dodgems they were the only car so they had no one to bump into, probably for the best! We had a fun, and not too expensive, half hour of entertainment.

Great place have been going here since I was a little boy, very informative and amazing to see the…read moreold locomotives

Under the Dinorwig slate quarry is this fantastic museum. Housing the largest waterwheel on…read moremainland Britain. Slate splitting exhibitions and various film shows. Quarrymens housing showing the differences in living standards throughout the ages. Very interesting AND free entrance.

Discovered this place when the kids were really young. We were camping nearby and it wasn't very…read morenice weather and we'd heard there was a play area in the church but did not expect anything like this. There are three levels of slides, vertical drops, bridges, ball pits etc. I don't know the history of the place, maybe they did this as it was the only way to save the church or something but it's great that they did as it's wonderful. There is a little seperate area for the toddlers and a nice little cafe for the chatting mums - altough it's not church prices! They can get very busy so be prepared to have to wait and I seem to remember it wasn't cheap to get in either. We loved it though and i'd like to go back now the kids are older.

The hwylfan is a children playcenter in Caernarfon, its a great place to take the children,…read moreespecially if they have a lot of energy to burn. It been done up in an old church in the center of caernarfon. They've got a seperate area for toddlers and babies, which I find great a the bigger children can get a bit boysters. They serve food and also cater for childrens parties. The main play gym is a structure of soft climbing frames, two giant slide and ball pool, the kids always love going there. The only downside in my opinion is they charge adult to go in aswell.

This is a fantastic castle. Surrounded by a nice moat, located in a pretty town near the water…read more This was the last of the royal strongholds created by Edward I in Wales. A very nice size fortress. A lot bigger than it seems from outside. It was even meant to be bigger, but history and lack of money got in the way in the 1320s. But even as is it, it's a real beauty. It's in great shape and there's lots to see. Including walking all around on top of the wall. Just about 8£ a person. A fair fee, because there's really plenty to do and there are countless photo ops. Dogs are even allowed, our Bulldog loved it. So did we. There's a nice shop as well with books, souvenirs and nice glassware. Bought a bunch of Whisky glasses. Nice quality - fair prices. A fantastic visit and one of the highlights of all the castles we've visited on this years Road Trip through the UK. If you arrive by car, your best bet is the nearby Beaumaris Green Carpark. 5£ all day. Short walking distance.

Don't feed the water fowl, they say - but just tell that to the water fowl! The slightest crinkle…read moreof plastic and they come fleetingly, begging coyly and making great lipid pools of their dark eyes to entice visitors to drop down some bread crumbs for their wee bellies. Seriously, how could one deny them? Gorgeous castle - in excellent condition with plenty of places to explore and "do not cross" cables on parapets to disobey (not that I did - but those two motorcyclists did!). Very enjoyable and worth the visit!

We visit the Yacht Club once a month for a club meeting. The bar is open for us, the drinks are…read morequite cheap and the service is good. The seating is very comfortable, and its a nice quite location. The location looking over the harbour is lovely.