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 a really interesting little museum, the Almhouses were built in the 1600's by Sir John Wynn…read moreof Gwydir to house twelve poor men of the parish. It has 2 restored priod rooms, temporary exhibitions and local artefacts. Theres also a working herb garden in the grounds. Its very child friendly and is free for children under 12 and adults only pay £2 so it's a really cheap attraction and well worth a visit.

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.

The museum re-opened last summer and this winter the…read morebuilding is being refurbished and upgraded the displays. Reopening Easter 2013. Well worth a visit in conjunction with a trip on the nearby Ffestiniog Railway to see how the slates journeyed down from the mountains, loaded onto the ships and taken world-wide

There are one or two interesting exhbits in this small, but cheap museum. Mostly it is quite dark,…read moreand very old fashioned.

Notable as the birthplace of Bishop William Morgan, the first man to translate the bible into…read moreWelsh, the house itself (Ty Mawr: 'The Big House') is actually fairly small and unprepossessing by modern standards, and has mostly been rebuilt and renovated. However it's set in a beautiful location in the Wybrnant Valley, and the walk up to it - from the centre of the little village of Penmachno - is reward enough. It's open from late March to early November, with prices as follows: adult £3, child £1.50, family £7.50. Groups: £2.50, child £1. Personally, I feel the pricing is a bit high to see what is mostly a recreation of a 17th century cottage containing a collection of Bibles - but the on-site guide is full value for money, will give you a detailed and enthusiastic commentary about all aspects of Morgan's life and the history of the house - and provides loads of additional activities to keep the kids interested. Remember: the survival of the Welsh language started here. Staying in Penmachno itself, don't miss looking into St. Tudclud's Church. Penmachno was originally an important early Christian centre, and the church contains an outstanding collection of inscribed stones from the late 5th and mid 6th centuries AD. If you have time, continue on up the valley to Cwm Penmachno, where the workers at the nearby slate quarry used to have their homes.

Beautiful gardens! Lots to see. Many paths to follow, lovely water features and flower beds. Wish…read moreI'd brought my hiking poles.

80 acres of various gardens, forests, meadows, babbling woodland streams augmented with a lovely…read moremanor house, an old saw mill and a chapel. House is private, roped off, no visitors allowed. Many trails criss-cross the property. My wife & I spent 4.5 hours walking and did not see it all. There are elevation changes of 400 feet on both sides of the central stream, so you will get some aerobic exercise if you tour the entire property. When you finish up and are tired, thirsty and hungry there is a cafe. Also for shop-o-holics there are several boutiques. Souvenirs and gifts galore available. Also for locals there is a considerable nursery of great garden plants. Quality and vigor of the plants look outstanding. For reasonably physically fit nature lovers a visit here is highly recommended.

Visit this amazing place. Lovingly restored by the owners back to its amazing best. Tranquil,…read morepeaceful, full of history. the buildings date from the 1500s but over the years neglect and fire led to its near demise. When these guys bought the house it was a shell. Now it is beautiful again. Mind the peacocks!

Thankfully saved from being exported, stone by stone, to Japan, by a couple with a sincere love of…read morethe place (you can read their story in Judy Corbett's book 'Castles In The Air'), Gwydir castle was brought back from near-dereliction, and is now open to all. Still not very well known to the casual tourist, basically you can find it by heading into Betwys-y-Coed, crossing the narrow bridge in the centre of the town, and taking the right hand turn. Built ca. 1500, Gwydir is lovely - retaining every bit of its architectural charm and tremendous atmospheric presence. Best of all, for the nominal entrance charge (£4 adults; children £2) you get to wander around without being followed, or presumed upon, as is often the case with some of the more officious personnel at similar National Trust properties. Look out for the celebrated Priest-Hole, and the haunted rooms (my wife said she definitely saw something, so there, you've been warned!).The 10 acre grounds are really beautiful, with peacocks striding around the lawns, and there are plenty of spots for responsible picnics. If you fancy stopping over, there's also a B&B option. And if you leave feeling (understandably) wracked by envy at the couple who own the place, do read their book and see how physically, mentally and financially hard it was to keep the place from falling down.

The cafe and the tour was excellent! It was splendid, stunning and awesome! And we went for free!read more

Harlech Castle is a lovely landmark built by King Edward 1st…read more Cost around £12 for a family of four but I believe you may get half price if you have an English Heritage membership card. Castle is stunning but avoid the toilets like the plague that it possibly has. They were disgusting and we were the first there in the morning, should have been cleaned.