Things to do in

Denbighshire

Leave the bustling city of Manchester and travel to Wales on a 90-minute fully-narrated journey arriving at Llandudno. Visit the 12th-century hidden chapel of St. Tudno on the Great Orme. Next is the walled town of Conwy, constructed in 1283 with a fabulous 3/4-mile wall circuit. Go inside Conwy Castle, a gritty, dark-stoned fortress built by James of St. George in partnership with the Frenchman - Richard The Engineer. Head into Snowdonia National Park where we take you off-the-beaten-track with a stop at the “capital of North Wales”: Betws-Y-Coed (prayer house in the woods). Finally, take the unique opportunity to experience the Pontcysyllte Canal Aqueduct, built by Sir Thomas Telford between 1795 and 1805. Prepare to be entertained and informed by your experienced guide and driver.

Leave the Roman city of Chester and travel to Wales on a 90-minute, fully-narrated journey arriving at Llandudno. Visit the 12th-century hidden chapel of St. Tudno on the Great Orme. Next is the walled town of Conwy, constructed in 1283 with a fabulous 3/4-mile wall circuit. Go inside Conwy Castle, a gritty, dark-stoned fortress built by James of St. George in partnership with Frenchman Richard The Engineer. Afterwards, head to Snowdonia National Park using carefully-selected, off-the-beaten-track routes with a stop at the so-called “capital of North Wales,” Betws-Y-Coed prayer house in the woods. Finally, take the unique opportunity to experience the Pontcysyllte Canal Aqueduct, built by Sir Thomas Telford between 1795 and 1805. Prepare to be entertained and informed by your experienced guide and driver along the way.

Begin your rafting adventure in Llangollen by learning paddling skills from your guides, who will show you how to navigate the river safely. With top-quality equipment and training, have a secure and thrilling experience. Tackle epic rapids, including Serpent’s Tail and Town Falls, surf holes, and maybe even enjoy a raft flip or two. With a few raft games and challenges along the way, hold on tight as you bounce through the whitewater waves of River Dee.

Travel in air-conditioned comfort from Liverpool's Port passing under your ship as you cross the Mersey River. This fully narrated day tour will travel through the area known as the Wirral before cutting across the border into Wales where you will see your first glimpse of a castle or two as you make your way to Conwy. Arriving in Conwy, you will have free time to explore this beautiful and popular town, maybe go into the castle and listen out for the voices of those past in the narrow stairways that lead up to the top of the turrets. Or take a walk on the towns defensive wall to get another view of one of the finest examples of a Medieval Castle anywhere in the world. Moving on, head into the National Park known as Snowdonia where you can stretch your legs and build up an appetite for lunch as you walk into the Valley. Maybe even take a short hike up to where the water cascade over the rocks fed by the lake high in the mountains? Lunch time in Betws-Y-Coed offers a number of choices from fast food to table service and pub food (for that sneaky pint of Welsh Beer!). Take a short walk to visit the little 14th Century Chapel that gave name to the town surrounded by a small wood. Some of the trees are over a 1000 years old! Finally, you will need to find a little bit of courage as you walk across the sky at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct also known as "the stream in the sky". This superb piece of industrial engineering was constructed over 200-years ago and crosses the gorge that was cut out by the Dee River, 1000's of years ago. Finally, you will be whisked back to port, your head full of the stories that you heard throughout the day and your camera memory cards crammed with photos that you will look back on in future years with great fondness.

Embark on an aquatic adventure down the River Dee, navigating three major rapids, including the famed Serpent’s Tail. Once you've demonstrated your ability to float, our expert guides ensure a thrilling yet safe journey. Guides will steer you through the twisting rapids but also add playful challenges, creating an interactive and dynamic experience. Conquer Serpent’s Tail, a milestone for white-water enthusiasts. Throughout the journey, the river becomes a testing ground for personal growth and teamwork. Smile at the end, not just from the adrenaline but from the shared accomplishment and lasting memories. Join us for an unforgettable white-water escapade.

Day 1: You leave Manchester and head straight for the border of Wales. Your first stop of the day is Conwy. This little town deserves to win awards for most picture-perfect harbour town. There’s a castle perched by the sea, the ‘world’s smallest house’, and lots of little restaurants boasting the best fish and chips. After you’ve soaked up the sea air, you cross the world’s first modern day suspension bridge across the Menai Straits and onto Anglesey Island. Prior to its construction, cattle farmers would have to persuade their herd to swim across the Menai Straits on their way to market. We head for the most westerly point of North Wales to marvel at the South Stack Lighthouse, sea cliffs, and nature reserve. But that’s not all. You stop in the lovely seaside town of Beaumaris, and also visit the town of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll for a quick photo stop. Then you travel back over the bridge and along the coastline to Llandudno, your overnight stop. Day 2: This morning when you head off, your first stop is to Betws-y-Coed. This beautiful little village is known as the gateway to Snowdonia National Park. Next, sit back and watch Snowdonia’s mountains fly by as you continue onto Harlech Castle. This is one of our favourite castles in the whole of the UK. It boasts epic sea views and an amazingly war-torn history that involves a lot of dynamite. You then venture to one of the most charming and unique villages in Wales, Portmeirion. This town is the brainchild of Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis. He wanted to demonstrate how a naturally beautiful location could be developed without spoiling it. The result is a stunning piece of the Mediterranean transported into North Wales. You have free time here to explore and grab a bite to eat. You head back to Llandudno for the evening. Day 3: After breakfast, your first stop is to the Llanberis Slate Museum*. The history of the second largest slate mine on the planet will stay in your memory for a long time. For your lunch stop today, we head to Llangollen. Situated along the River Dee, this little town will steal your heart. Next you’re off to one of England’s most historic towns, Chester. There’s a lot to do here, but we’d advise you just head to the Cathedral, you could spend a whole week in this fine building and not get bored. You arrive back in Manchester in the early evening.

This self-drive road trip route covers destination information for 16 towns and villages. This suggested route covers 105 miles (170 km) across the North Wales Coast—from Anglesey to the Clwydian Mountain Range. HOW IT WORKS This online guidebook is designed to take the guesswork out of planning your multi-destination trip. No need for endless internet searches—everything you need is in one place, carefully curated with recommendations and helpful links to dive deeper into each destination. Pick and choose from a variety of ideas, including top attractions, hidden gems, and unique experiences and customise your journey to suit your needs. Tailor the itinerary to fit your schedule, with flexible options ranging from 3 to 14 nights. Ideal if you’re travelling with your own car, campervan or rental vehicle. Get started today with instant access (choose the nearest date as with 1 year’s access, there’s no need to wait until your travel date). Use on smartphone, tablet, or desktop. ........................................................................................................................................................ WHAT’S INCLUDED: Plan your road trip tracing the stunning North Coast of Wales. Discover historic sites, stunning beaches and beautiful coast on this flexible route of 105 miles (170 km) / 16 locations. Choose your own itinerary and time frame. As an example: Use the guidebook to choose how to spend your time, example: • Anglesey: Spend time uncovering enchanting Anglesey, offering rugged coastlines, and historic sites like ancient ruins and picturesque lighthouses. • Menai Strait: Admire the sweeping vista and explore the hub of Bangor. • Iconic Castles: Enjoy a day or two discovering a handful of North Wales' castles and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. • Beach Days: Delight in traditional Victorian beach resorts, with piers and attractions, such as Llandudno, Colwyn Bay and Rhyl. • Wales Coastal Path: Stretch your legs and discover breathtaking views on this trail. • Border Towns: Discover vibrant and cultural border towns, like Llangollen, Mold and Wrexham bustling with markets, heritage railways, and more. • Mini-themed routes: Pick from a choice of several mini-themed routes within the larger route, such as adventure, heritage and maritime loop. • Enjoy North Wales' best beaches and heritage railways. • Includes an overnight stays map for locating accommodation or campsites on the route. HOW TO ACCESS: see Know Before You Go