The school summer holidays always seem to fly by. One minute you’re looking forward to six weeks of adventure, and before you know it you’re wondering where the time went.
Whether you’re visiting North Wales for a week or you’re lucky enough to live here, we’ve put together some of our favourite family-friendly ideas to help you make the most of the holidays. Rather than another list of the usual tourist attractions, these are places and experiences we’d genuinely recommend.
1. Spend the Day at Black Rock Sands
If you’ve never visited Black Rock Sands before, prepare to wonder why every beach isn’t like this.
Unlike most beaches, you can drive your car directly onto the sand, making family beach days so much easier. Instead of carrying chairs, windbreaks, picnic bags, buckets, spades and towels half a mile from a car park, everything is just a few steps away.
Children have plenty of space to run, build sandcastles and paddle while parents can enjoy the spectacular views across Cardigan Bay. Just remember to check the tide times before you visit, as access to the beach changes throughout the day.
2. Walk from Rhos-on-Sea to Colwyn Bay
This is one of those walks that’s much more enjoyable than it sounds.
The promenade between Rhos-on-Sea and Colwyn Bay has been designed with families in mind. Along the route you’ll discover unusual sculptural play equipment, climbing frames, places to stop for an ice cream and plenty of opportunities for a paddle if the weather is warm.
The route is mostly flat too, making it perfect for scooters, balance bikes and pushchairs. You can walk as little or as much as you like before turning back. Keep your eyes peeled for the new Terry Jones sculpture from Monty Python.
3. Make the Most of Your National Trust Membership
If your family already has National Trust membership, the summer holidays are the perfect opportunity to make the most of it.
North Wales has many fantastic properties that all offer something completely different. Why not wander through the world-famous gardens at Bodnant Garden, explore the impressive Penrhyn Castle with its fascinating history, or head to Plas Newydd on Anglesey where woodland walks, beautiful gardens and views across the Menai Strait make for a relaxing family day out.
If you don’t already have membership, it can quickly pay for itself if you’re planning several days out over the summer.
4. Discover North Wales’ Beautiful Lakes
Some of the best places in North Wales aren’t on the coast at all.
Llyn Padarn, in Llanberis, is a brilliant place to spend a summer afternoon. You can enjoy a lakeside walk, hire paddleboards or kayaks, go for a swim, skip stones across the water or simply enjoy a picnic with spectacular mountain views.
For another great North Wales lake, head into the Conwy Valley to discover Llyn Geirionydd and nearby Llyn Crafnant. Surrounded by forests and mountains, they’re ideal for a slower-paced family day with plenty of opportunities for swimming, paddleboarding, canoeing, short walks, wildlife spotting and enjoying the scenery.
5. Explore A Medieval Castle
Few places capture children’s imaginations quite like a real medieval castle, and North Wales is home to some of Britain’s finest.
Whether you choose to explore the mighty walls of Conwy, Caernarfon or Harlech Castle, you’ll have the chance to climb towers, walk ancient battlements and imagine what life was like more than 700 years ago.
Afterwards, spend some time exploring the surrounding town, browse the independent shops, stop for an ice cream or, if you’re visiting Conwy, squeeze into Britain’s Smallest House before heading home.
6. Go Crabbing at Beaumaris Pier
Sometimes the simplest days out become the most memorable.
A bucket, a crabbing line and a little patience are all you need for a few hours of fun at Beaumaris Pier. Children love the excitement of seeing what they’ve caught before carefully returning the crabs safely to the sea.
Once you’ve finished, take a stroll around the town or enjoy an ice cream overlooking the Menai Strait.
7. Pack a Picnic and Head up the Great Orme
You don’t always need to plan a full day out.
On a sunny afternoon, pack a picnic and head up the Great Orme to enjoy some of the best views in North Wales. Whether you drive to the summit or stop at one of the many viewpoints along Marine Drive, it’s the perfect place to relax while children enjoy spotting wildlife and watching boats out on the Irish Sea.
If you decide to swap your picnic for fish and chips in Llandudno instead, keep a close eye on them—the town’s seagulls have become experts at swooping in and stealing an unattended lunch!
8. Step Into Wonderland with Finding Alice
Before the summer holidays come to an end, make time for one adventure that’s completely unique to North Wales.
Finding Alice is a self-guided interactive adventure through the streets of Llandudno, where families, friends and groups solve riddles, uncover hidden clues and meet Wonderland characters as they search for the missing Alice.
You will step into a completley unique story based on the classic book, the experience builds on the connection between Llandudno and Alice Liddell the girl that the story was based on. It’s a memorable way to explore the town together while creating the kind of family memories that last long after the summer holidays are over.
Whether you’re building sandcastles at Black Rock Sands, exploring medieval castles or discovering hidden corners of North Wales, the summer holidays are all about making memories together. We hope this bucket list inspires you to try somewhere new, revisit an old favourite and make the most of everything North Wales has to offer. And if you’re planning a visit to Llandudno, don’t forget to add Finding Alice to your family’s summer holiday bucket list for an adventure unlike anything else in North Wales.
