Things to do near Greenacres holiday park

caztigger2012

My family and I are staying at the Greenacres Haven park near Porthmadog in May, and I'm looking for suggestions of things to do.
Defiantly fancy a visit to a castle and one of the steam trains, as I think my son would love both. So suggestions for which are the best of both would be helpful, and any other suggestions,

WestonDave

You could do a trip on the Welsh Highland to Caernarfon and visit the castle there - its pretty close to the station and is probably the most interesting of the castles being reasonably complete. Harlech being probably the next best castle to visit.


The two railways are very different - the WHR had a brief unsuccessful life and has relatively recently been brought back into use. It does go through some spectacular scenery particularly near Snowdon. It runs on re-imported engines that were built here originally but largely used in South Africa. The Ffestiniog was originally a slate carrying railway but has been operating almost continuously - and still has much of its original equipment. Blaenau is an interesting place to visit with the slate mines etc - a very different, bleak industrial setting to contrast with the pretty landscapes of Snowdon. So if you can afford it I'd be tempted to do both as they will offer very different experiences.

greenface

If it weekend 16 th may , the rail ale festIval is on around caernarfon . Lots of castlles (?) caernarfon harlech ccriceth conwy beaumaris . Greenacres is a decent place and black rock sands good on the summer weather

Tigsteroonie

Portmeirion - particularly if you, like me, remember The Prisoner I had a t-shirt made up specially for my son to wear that said "I am not a number"

Both steam railways as the others have said.

We drove up the coast to Pwlheli one day but I can't remember why other than it had a market day.

(goes off to check her FB photofeed from that holiday ...)

Castles - you'll be in the middle between Criccieth and Harlech, both are well worth a visit.

Oooh, now I remember. We drove to the foot of the Snowdon railway but didn't stand a chance of getting on the train as we hadn't pre-booked. So instead we went to the National Slate Museum.

The beach at Greenacres had fabulous sand btw!

caztigger2012

greenface wrote: »

If it weekend 16 th may , the rail ale festIval is on around caernarfon . Lots of castlles (?) caernarfon harlech ccriceth conwy beaumaris . Greenacres is a decent place and black rock sands good on the summer weather

We dont arrive until Monday 19th, best not tell my dad he has just missed a real ale festival, he will be most disappointed. Thanks for the suggestions. Sounds like ill be spoilt for choice for castles.

caztigger2012

Defiantly sounds like there is alot to choose from.

greenface

Llanberis and the slate museum and electric mountain are a good choice

FatAndy

It's worth reading this thread - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4937399 - as Greenacres isn't too far from Hafan-y-Mor.

Caernarfon is definitely your best bet for a castle as it's not only the biggest and best preserved castle in North Wales it's also home to the Royal Welch Fusiliers museum which is worth a visit in it's own right (and admission to the museum is free once you've paid to get into the castle itself).

If you visit Conwy then you can not only visit the castle there but there's also a fantastic real ale pub called The Albion Ale House for your dad. The Albion is a joint venture run by four local real ale breweries, three from the Conwy area and one from Porthmadog, so it's a real ale drinker's heaven :beer:.

greenface

Andy - We keep hoping to get to the Albion . problem is no - one wants to drive . looks good and tried all the brewers. nant is a firm favourite . The Black Boy in Caernarfon is only a £5 taxi fare away . Always a winner

caztigger2012

If I can combine a castle with a real ale pub I am on to a winner, thanks

greenface

Your answer is above then . Caernarfon Castle & The Black Boy Inn , Conwy Castel & The Albion.