We followed a recommended walk around Tal-Y-Lyn lake. We followed woodland walks up through the…read moremountain on the far side left of the lake up towards a steep incline (on the southern flanks of cader idris). We went as far as the farm at the top and down past thefarm and the falls and along the mud tracks to the lake at the bottom. We then walked along the road to get back to our start point. The scenery along the mountains and from the roads were so beautiful. The circular walk took about 3 hours and was about 5 and a half miles. In the summer seasons the nearby pubs and hotels would be open but in winter months it is a great idea to pack a flask and a picnic. I had so much fun along this track and thoroughly recommend it!

This is an amazing place and would really recommend anyone who is in the area to go and take a…read morelook. We took our 4 children a few weeks ago on a wonderfully sunny but bitterly cold day and everyone had a great time. There are 2 playgrounds, one more unusual and adventurous for older children and a smaller one for younger ones. There are several walks you can do but we just walked around the lake (suitable for pushchairs) and watched the red kites being fed which was awesome. We had some lunch in the cafe there which was homemade and tasy, not gourmet but certainly warmed us up! The views looking over the Rheidol Valley are absolutely breathtaking, that alone was worgh the drive there! We will definately make this a regular place to visit everytime we are near Aberystwth

Walk the walk, ride the bike, feed the red kites or just enjoy being out in the woods. Bwlch Nant…read moreyr Arian is a visitor centre with café and gateway to the forest for walkers, riders and families. Not far outside Aberystwyth, it's a lovely place to go for a tranquil walk, or, if you're a mountain biker, to get a bit muddy and exhilarated. Managed by the Forestry Commission it's all about access to managed woodland. The site of red kites at feeding time is special indeed. Check out the website: http://www.nantyrarian.com

What a fantastic day out! We drove down to Shropshire to meet our friends who suggested an…read moreexploration of the fantastic Hawkstone Park and Follies (to where, despite growing up in its backyard, they had never been either). There's lots to do here-- a hotel, outdoor activities like off-road driving, archery, balloon flights and, of course, hiking. Open year round, they have specialty activities around all the major holidays and there's something for the whole family. The hike through The Follies is pretty spectacular. The circular trail takes you through forests, terrific rock formations weathered from, well, weather it seems!-- and caves (you need a torch!). It's not an easy hike-- the uneven surfaces, steep inclines and equally steep (and narrow!) steps cut into the rocks are daunting. If you add rain into the mix (which we had), it makes for a bit of a precarious (and slippery!) adventure. But well worth it. There are picnic tables and benches dotted along the way-- and on a nice day, it is a fantastic place for a picnic-- if not only for the excuse to take a bit of a breather when you make it to the top. Estimated to be a three-hour round trip hike (depending on your pace and how long you stop to admire the plethora of incredible views), it's well worth your time. Plus, if you start early enough, you can make it back before the little tea room with veranda at the visitor's centre closes to reward yourself with some well-earned sweets and of course, the quintessential English cuppa (in a little teapot and everything). Well worth the trek-- we will be coming back here again!

This is my absolute favourite place to visit. Parc Padarn is a country park that consists of a…read moremassive lake surrounded by mountains, which are on the site of a former slate quarry. The Snowdon railway begins from inside Parc Padarn, and there is a good selection of amenities for its many visitors: 2 cafes are near the railway inside the park, with 2 more located just on the outside (1 is in the Electric Mountain visitor centre), toilets are available in the park also, and there is a scattering of shops such as gift shops, shops selling walking clothes, a shop selling hand-made things from slate such as door plates. There's a lot to do for everyone at Parc Padarn. There are 5 official walkways, which are colour-coded and vary in difficulty from a short flat walk accessible to wheelchair users, to a more advanced 5 mile walk around the lake with some steep climbs. You're advised not to stray from the walkways. On the lake there's opportunities to scuba dive, sail a dinghy or kayak, or to sail a remote control boat. There's a few childrens' play areas which are always fairly busy and look well-equipped, and there's a tree top adenture activitiy. In the main entrence to Parc Padarn there's a museum, which is free to enter, with several shows and displays of the old slate quarry workings, as well as a few old-fashioned houses to peek into. I love going here and probably visit a couple of times a week, even throughout the winter.

Greenwood forest park is a great place to go for fun but the only reason i'm rating this a 3 stars…read moreis because of these reasons 1. Queue lines are massive 2. Food is expensive 3. LOTS OF KARENS (not the name)

GreenWood Forest Park is a rather unlikely find in the North Wales countryside. It's an eco-theme…read morepark which tries to show that you can have fun without using much power (other than that which you provide yourself). It's NOT a park that pushes the green message at you at every opportunity and this I like. It's that fact that it's understated that makes you think about it. Home to Europe's largest Green roller coaster this place is well worth a visit. The coaster itself works alomg similar principles to the mines, power is generated by people being carried down as the coaster is lifted back up to the start. The coaster then runs down and the next group of people can be taken. Other self-powered rides include a boat ride (where you paddle/pull yourself along with ropes) and a great toboggan run. The other major attraction is the bare-foot walk where you can get back to nature via a barefoot walk through various types of ground including sand, cobbles, mud, water and straw. Immense fun and strangely refreshing. Wash facilities are provided (cold!). Toilets are clean and there is a cafe offering good value basic meals. Wait times were not too bad. I liked the fact that this was a simple park and suited to children from toddlers to about 13 years old. I suspect the optimum age range is about 3-8 years. Unlike the traditional theme parkes queues are minimal (no more than a 2 minute wait for anything) despite our visit being on a May bank Holiday weekend in bright sunshine! Please note - do as the website suggests and if you are using a sat nav start to ignore it when you see the brown tourist signs - if you don't then you end up going through some very steep and narrow roads that are not suited to tourist traffic. It will take about 5 minutes more if you follow the tourist signs but you'll get there in one piece! Recommended.

I reckon that the Brecon Beacons np is probably my first love. There's not much the beats Welsh…read morehills (I'm damn partial to Scottish, and Yorkshire hills too mind), it rains a lot in wales, so much a Welsh friend regularly comments on how those born and raised in daffodil country are brought into this world with inbuilt kagools, but, that is what makes them all so pretty and green! The scenery, the walks, the hacks, hell- even sheep trekking now. The lambs, rolling farmland dotted with Heath and forest and wildflowers, waterfalls and brooks and trout pools. The park is a dark sky reserve, so on a clear night you are in for a treat, and a good night's sleep without any light pollution. They are plenty of different accommodation options to suit most tastes, camping, glamping, farmstays, b&bs, the works, and an abundance of pubs, cafes, old estates turned into gallery/farm shop combos, and restaurants full of beautiful local produce.

The Brecon Beacons National Park is one of those places that makes you Proud. Proud with a capital…read moreP. Through and through. This is some of the most breathtaking scenery in the UK, and when you travel here, you wonder why you would ever want to pay thousands of pounds to visit any other scenery. In the winter, the slopes are full of people taking advantage of the snow; sledding down over the hills (they might be mountains, I'm never quite sure about that kind of thing). In the spring the new lambs poka-dot the countryside and you can amble along well-trodden paths or cross country. In the summer you can try out the Taff Trail cycle path, which traverse through the heart of the park, or camp out in one of the lovely campsites. In the autumn you can go and get the wind blown in your face as you walk around some of the most scenic reservoirs (the hidden ones are the best), and then go and eat a hot dog at the burger van. In short, there's something for everyone. This park is surprisingly huge, and I would recommend, if you're not up for any more adventurous activities, just going for a drive through the middle (one road, can't miss it) - simply stunning.

It's a little out of the way but a must when in Wales. Make a reservation for a steam train ride…read moreto the top or plan your hike. Lots of hikers on the trail to the summit At the base of the mountain you'll find a small movie theatre which shows a 15 minute movie about the train's history. There are also bathrooms, souvenir and sandwich shops. Steam train takes an hour to get to the top. You stay at the summit for half an hour and then begin your return. The views are breath taking. The experience is a MUST.

Snowdonia is a beautiful are of North Wales concentrated around the mountains and lakes of the huge…read moreSnowdonia National Park.  The park's historic Snowdon Mountain Railway climbs to the summit of Wales's highest mountain, Mount Snowdon, offering views across the sea to Ireland and back along the North Wales coast. Popular tourist areas have breathtaking scenery, easy parking and brilliant dog walking spots. Tourist towns such as Betwys Y coed offer great cafe's and extensive well thought out mountain biking trails. I suggest hiring an electric mountain bike to make the most of the scenery in any weather. Driving around Snowdonia is great fun. Taking a long drive up any of the mountain passes is always great fun. For any car enthusiast driving the Evo triangle route can be very memorable. Dog walking around Llandudno in the North with the Great Orme, Pier and other popular tourists attractions is great. A trip through blaenau ffestiniog via the slate mines down onto the Black Rock Sands beach is always good. The beach is open to cars meaning you can drive onto the sand, just don't get stuck! Further down the Llŷn Peninsula Abersoch is worth a visit, especially during summer high season for a surprisingly high end mix of shops, cafes and pubs.

Stunning scenery! Explored here quite a bit while I have been living in Wales. I have walked the…read moreRhinogs, Y Glyderau, somewhere near Tryfan, been on top of Snowdonia a few times. Some walks can be quite difficult. It can be more climbing than walking. The weather is always a big challenge! No huts like in Austria or elsewhere where you can sit and enjoy a nice drink or have a warm cup of tea (do not mention a meal) on the mountains. This is not typical here. Interesting wildlife (birds & flowers). The Rhydd Ddu path is enjoyable. Good website: http://www.eryri-npa.co.uk/

I love coming here and have walked on both sides of the estuary, up on the side of one of the…read moremountains and along the connecting road/rail bridge between Barmouth and Fairbourne. There are wonderful views wherever you are. On the south side the footpath takes you through Abergwynant Woods and there is an RSPB Nature Reserve nearby. Well worth a visit, particularly if you like walking or cycling.

Parked by the railway just outside Fairbourne and walked across the estuary toll bridge to…read morebarmouth. 70p fee but lovely views. Will do this again.