Things to see and do Snowdonia

Caernarfon Castle was built between 1283 and 1330 by Edward I to consolidate his military advance. He wanted to make the castle a mixture of styles, combining the walls of Constantinople, hence its unusual polygonal towers, and Roman grandeur.

Classified by UNESCO in 1985, Caernarfon is one of the best preserved castles in the country, but also one of the largest medieval castles in the world!

A strategic and political location, it was here in 1969 that the nomination of the candidate for the crown, Charles, son of Elizabeth II, as Prince of Wales, took place. Since 1282, when the English defeated Llywelyn the Last, the last "Welsh" prince, the title of Prince of Wales has become that of the aspirant to the British Crown. This custom and title can be traced back to Edward I of England, who promised the Welsh that he would give them a prince who was born in Wales and did not speak English. Edward II, born in Caernarfon, spoke neither English nor Welsh. It was not until 1911 that Lloyd George, the Welsh Prime Minister, demanded that the nomination be held in Wales, in Caernarfon. In the castle is exposed the throne specially designed for the occasion, as well as a specimen of a chair and everything that was made for the ceremony.

Giant playground, the castle of Caernarfon can be discovered through towers and underground passages, cul-de-sacs, ramparts, spiral staircases? Also don't miss the Castle Museum and the Royal Wales Rifle Museum.

This train, built in 1896, climbs a 957-metre drop over 7 km to the top of Mount Snowdon. It is certainly the most impressive in the country. The smell of coal, the power of the locomotive, the typical noise of steam trains... It's really an experience! Some athletes snub him. At the top they say you can find the most beautiful view in the country, weather permitting! It's also the wettest corner!

If you have the legs, try to ascend on foot. The path starting from Llanberis is the easiest, provided you climb up..

Built in the 13th century, the castle is located in a very strategic place: it dominates the village and the sea from the top of the rock, and is part of the famous chain of castles built by Edward I to ensure his new conquests. Owain Glyndwr, an important figure in the country's history, conquered the castle in 1404 and lived there for five years, making Harlech the capital of Wales. If the weather is clear, the views are particularly magnificent, one can see Tremadog Bay and the mountains in the distance.

It is a two and a half hour circuit at 20 km/h in old cars pulled by a steam locomotive. It is one of the oldest narrow-gauge railway tracks in the world: no more than 70 cm wide! Its line runs eleven kilometres from Tywyn to Nant Gwernol, near the village of Abergynolwyn. Now a tourist attraction, this line, opened in 1866, transported slate from the Bryn Eglwys quarries to Tywyn. In 1951, it became the first tourist railway in the world to be maintained by volunteers!

The Llechwedd slate quarries have 250 chambers linked by 40 km of galleries. We tell you all about the living conditions of the miners at a depth of several meters. Working by candlelight, in vast caves, on the banks of underground lakes. It's a journey to the heart of the country's culture and history. It's a must to fully appreciate the hard work of the miners.

There'salso a gigantic zip line for thrill-seekers (www.zipworld.co.uk) and an underground playground with nets and trampolines.

About a mile east of Beddgelert. Take the A498 and follow the sign on your right. Buses ^Nos. 97A, 95 and 97 will also take you there. These copper mines were first exploited by the Romans. The voice of a virtual miner accompanies you as you descend the multiple floors. This guided tour (45 minutes) takes you into the shallows of copper mines in yellow tones, which have become golden under the torches! It's very interesting and it's pretty good for the kids, they don't get bored. We recommend it, especially if it rains.

Follow the river and cross the field. Under the trees is a dog's grave. Legend has it that when Llywelyn returned from her trip, her dog, Gelert, greeted her with a bloody face. Not seeing his newborn baby in the crib, he deduced that his dog had devoured the infant and pierced it with his sword. At the same time, a cry rose from the bushes where the child lay unharmed, next to the corpse of a wolf killed by... Gelert! Remorseful, Prince Llywelyn erected a grave for his dog. Not much to see, but it's a nice walk.

It is a former hospital in a charming location that now serves as an information centre for the park. Perched on a wooded valley, it can be reached by stairs on the hillside. The hospital was once used to treat miners who were often injured by dangerous working conditions. Old medical instruments are now on display in part of the hospital. Another wing has been converted into a tea room, from which there are beautiful views of the landscape. Admission is free, we recommend you take a look if you can!

Artificial lagoon dug in a natural site. Possibility of diving. Its beauty enough to enjoy passive contemplation, a platform has also been designed for spectators.

Padarn Country Park covers an area of over 300 hectares and includes a rare and ancient sessile oak forest (Coed Dinorwig). This wooded mountain overlooking the beautiful lake of Llyn Padarn is probably one of the most beautiful (and accessible) landscapes in Snowdonia. It's like a utopia, so amazingly beautiful. Here, you take your time and enjoy it. You can plan a picnic if the weather allows it, the place is really suitable for a few moments of relaxation.

The park was once a slate mining centre. The museum is located in a former Victorian workshop. Dinorwig's quarry was huge, 3,000 men worked here, whose activity and movements shaped the landscape. The display of miners' and engineers' tools is intended to be as realistic as possible. It gives the impression that the workers have just left the mine to go home! Recently, 4 workers' houses on the site were reconstructed to give a glimpse of what their domestic life could have been like.

An artificial lake designed to supply a gigantic hydroelectric power station has been dug out of the Eliden mountain. It's like something out of science fiction! Today, the project is considered a global engineering prodigy. This energy laboratory, created in the bowels of the mountain, is the subject of impressive tours. The site is currently under restoration, but the view over the lake is well worth the detour.

A Visitor Centre helps you organize your excursion to one of the wildest mountain ranges in Snowdonia, Cwm Idwal, which dates back to the Ice Age. Professional guides are on hand to give you advice. One of the most popular routes from this destination is the one to the Idwal Lake (Llyn Idwal). It's probably one of the most impressive in the country. It is located at the foot of a dark massif, a kind of impressive "burnt mountain" called the "Devil's Kitchen". About four hours for five miles.

Built between 1820 and 1830 by the miners with money from the slate quarries, for the benefit of their boss George Dawkins-Pennant, this small palace with its 300 rooms is considered by the Welsh as a mark of oppression of the rich English bosses. Nevertheless, just for the size of the castle and its excellent state of preservation, a visit is well worthwhile. It is also possible to visit only those gardens that are worth the detour, especially in winter when the castle is closed. Or the summer if you want to cut back a little bit.

The Victorian society was crazy about exotic plants, bringing them from Australia and New Zealand. Here is a good example of an exotic garden, one of the three classified as part of the country's heritage. A few aesthetic surprises await you: artificial waterfalls, lakes, mill... So many "follies" imagined by Lord Newborough to entertain his friends at social functions. There is even a small amphitheatre in the heart of nature! If, in the middle of the park, you want to take a break to enjoy it, head to the Black Cat café.

You'll learn everything here on the Welsh slate! The workshop was founded in 1861 to supply schools at a time when students were not using paper! When paper became commonplace, the landlord knew that the material had another function, since he made electrical panels! It was a real little revolution for the local economy! Videos, geological exhibition and documents retrace the history of the slate industry. You can take home a slate that you engrave. For young and old!

The beginning of the trail starts at the end of Porkington Terrace. For the less courageous, Panorama Walk has the advantage of leading to a beautiful viewpoint only a few meters from the main street. About ten minutes, and bang! A classic at Barmouth, since the Victorian era!

It was the first piece of land to become the property of the National Trust in 1895, and the people of Barmouth are very proud of it. From the top, you can admire Cardigan Bay, the Caernarfon Hills and even Bardsey Island. The trail runs along the cliff for 5 km and offers an impressive panorama of the town, the estuary and Cader Idris.

It's accessed by a path on the High Street. You will come face to face with "the Frenchman's grave" where Auguste Guyard, a Frenchman who lived in Barmouth, a great friend of Victor Hugo, is buried.

The Sailor's Institute is a nice little free museum. The reading room has hardly been touched since the opening of the premises, which retain their Victorian atmosphere. A collection of paintings and model ships is on display. The museum is housed in one of the oldest houses in the village, built in 1460, and also exhibits pieces from the wreck of a galleon found by divers in the summer of 1978, including a beautiful engraved bronze bell and precious marbles from Italy!

An amazing museum for a confidential community, the Quaker community. Many villagers converted to this religion after its founder, George Fox, visited the village in 1657. In total opposition to the Anglicans and their attachment to dogma, the Quaker movement, which was very independent, insisted on the mystical notion of "inner light", which made the followers suspect in the eyes of the local religious authorities. So they were forced to emigrate to Pennsylvania. A film and photographs trace the life of this community.