The North Wales Way is a 75-mile touring route which stretches from the English border in the east to the tip of the island of Anglesey in the west. Following a trading route used by the Romans, the North Wales Way traverses thousands of years of history and takes in magnificent coastal scenery, medieval castles, handsome market towns, majestic mountain landscapes and glorious gardens. Enjoy a tour of this delightful part of Britain by car, train, bike or on foot!

The medieval town of Conwy on the North Wales Way

The North Wales Way begins in the ancient market town of Mold, just 30 minutes by car from both the Welsh city of Wrexham and the English border city of Chester. (Chester has a direct train link to London and can be reached from the capital in just over two hours.) Mold is famous for its street market, which has been going strong for over 900 years, and Clwyd Theatr Cymru, home to one of Wales’s foremost theatre companies - just perfect for an evening’s entertainment.

Flint Castle

Five miles north of Mold is Flint, the location of the first of the mighty castles on the North Wales Way. Work began on Flint Castle in 1277, making it the first of Edward I’s strongholds in his quest to conquer Wales. Flint Castle is also famous as the location of a fateful meeting in 1399 between Richard II and his rival to the crown Henry Bolingbroke (later Henry IV), an event immortalised in Shakespeare’s Richard II.

St Winefride’s Shrine and Well

A short hop up the coast is Holywell, site of St Winefride’s Shrine and Well, which has been a place of pilgrimage continually since the 13th century. St Winefride was a Catholic martyr who has been venerated since her death, and the present shrine which houses the well is a splendid Late Perpendicular Gothic building erected in the early 16th century - unique in the world. Close to the well and shrine is Greenfield Valley Heritage Park, an award-winning country park with over 70 acres of woodland, an ancient abbey, a museum and lakes and streams.

Rhuddlan Castle

Next stop is Rhuddlan, to see the next of Edward I’s famous castles. Rhuddlan Castle was the first of the revolutionary concentric, or ‘walls within walls’, castles designed by master architect James of St George. Neighbouring St Asaph is home to the smallest ancient cathedral in Britain, which is worth a visit for its magnificent architecture and stained-glass windows.

St Asaph Cathedral

The North Wales Way heads up to the coast at this point and Kinmel Dunes Local Nature Reserve is home to birdlife, rare maritime plants and even the occasional seal. If you’ve worked up an appetite on your journey, why not head to Bryn Williams’ Porth Eirias in Colwyn Bay? This Michelin Bib Gourmand beachside brasserie is famous for its seafood and local Welsh produce.

Penrhyn Bay and Rhos on Sea

From Colwyn Bay, there’s a handful of options to continue your tour. Head to pretty little Rhos on Sea to explore the seafront and to discover St Trillo’s Chapel, said to be the smallest church in Britain. Families with kids in tow might prefer to head for the Welsh Mountain Zoo, one of North Wales’s top attractions, set in 37 acres of countryside. Grown-ups, on the other hand, might prefer a guided tour and wine tasting at Gwinllan Conwy Vineyard.

Llandudno from the Great Orme

A full day in the majestic Welsh seaside resort of Llandudno is recommended. Stroll the perfectly preserved Victorian seafront or get some air with a walk down the historic pier. Venture up to the Great Orme headland, a nature reserve with rare flora and its own flock of wild Kashmir goats! You can get to the top by car, traditional tram or Alpine-style cable car, and when you arrive you can witness the world’s largest prehistoric copper mine.

Back in town, Oriel MOSTYN Gallery is a cutting-edge contemporary art gallery and, if you like a tipple, stop by Penderyn Distillery to see how they make award-wining Welsh whisky and to enjoy a tot or two. For evening entertainment there’s Venue Cymru, North Wales’s leading entertainment complex.

Conwy Castle

The historic town of Conwy, just a short distance from Llandudno, is the next must-see on your journey. The town is dominated by the medieval castle, one of the most magnificent in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can walk a complete circuit of the battlements of Conwy Castle and the experience is well worth it – the views are tremendous! The famous fortress is exceptionally well preserved and contains the most intact set of medieval royal apartments in Wales. Conwy itself is a delightful place to explore, with historic town walls, narrow streets and an atmospheric quay, location of the smallest house in Britain.

Bodnant Garden

Just a short detour inland brings you to Bodnant Garden, one of the most beautiful gardens in the UK. Situated above the River Conwy, the National Trust property is famous for its remarkable plant collections from all over the world, and boasts expansive lawns, impressive terraces and a steep wooded valley to explore. RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve, a wetland on the Conwy estuary, is home to a variety of wildlife with many local bird species to be seen, and golf lovers will enjoy the breath-taking views from Conwy Caernarvonshire Golf Club, a championship standard links course overlooking the North Wales coast.

Penrhyn Castle

The university city of Bangor is the perfect starting point for the next leg of your tour. The town’s Garth Pier is one of the most attractive in Wales, with boutiques and cafés housed in its pretty Victorian kiosks, and why not explore the National Trust’s Penrhyn Castle, a stunning neo-Norman castle built by a wealthy Victorian slate baron.

The slate landscape of Northwest Wales

Bangor is on the doorstep of the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales UNESCO World Heritage Site and for a rewarding walk, do the first section of the Snowdonia Slate Trail to Bethesda. It's about six miles (10km). The scenery is spectacular and it’s a great introduction to the area’s slate heritage. For those with more time on their hands, the 83-mile Snowdonia Slate Trail takes you on a journey back in time to when Snowdonia was the centre of the slate industry. The trail is also a joy for narrow gauge railway enthusiasts and visits a number of heritage railways including Snowdon Mountain Railway and the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways.

Zip World Penrhyn Quarry at Bethesda

A short detour from the North Wales Way takes you to Zip World Penrhyn Quarry at Bethesda - a must for adrenaline addicts. Fly through the air on a zipline high above the old slate quarry! Or if you want to max out on castles, Caernarfon Castle just down the road is one of the most spectacular in Wales.

Menai Suspension Bridge

The North Wales Way comes to an end on lovely Anglesey, the largest island in Wales. Cross the Menai Strait that separates it from the mainland on either the modern Britannia Bridge, or the historic Menai Suspension Bridge designed by 19th century genius Thomas Telford. If you’ve time for lunch, Dylan’s at Menai Bridge serves local favourites and excellent seafood.

Beaumaris Castle

A little way up the coast is Beaumaris, a handsome seaside town with another outstanding castle. Of all the 13th century castles built by Edward I in Wales, Beaumaris is the most accomplished. For an overnight stay in this part of Anglesey, The Bull's Head Inn in Beaumaris is a stylish inn with rooms.

Enjoy a high-speed boat ride on the Menai Straits

Enjoy a high-speed boat ride on the picturesque Menai Straits or visit the Anglesey village with Britain’s longest place name (invented in the 1860s to attract tourists!): Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrn-drobwllllantysiliogogogoch, which means ‘St Mary’s Church in the hollow of the white hazel near the rapid whirlpool and the Church of St Tysilio of the red cave’.

Plas Newydd on Anglesey

Just down the road you’ll find Plas Newydd, once the home of the Marquess of Anglesey, but now a National Trust property filled with antique treasures and surrounded by spectacular gardens; and at Halen Môn you can learn how some of the world’s finest sea salt is distilled from the pure sea waters here. The most romantic spot in Wales is Llanddwyn Island, on Anglesey's southwest coast. A tidal island islet with a small 19th century lighthouse and the ruins of a tiny church commemorating the Welsh patron saint of lovers, Saint Dwynwen.

Llanddwyn Island, Anglesey

Continuing along the North Wales Way across Anglesey, at Llangefni you can admire unique artworks old and new at Oriel Môn. This attractive museum and gallery provides an instant tour of the island’s history, heritage, wildlife, geology and art. Holyhead marks the end of the North Wales Way and the next stop from here is Dublin! Catch one of the ferries to Ireland from the town’s busy port.

South Stack Lighthouse near Holyhead

All of Anglesey’s coastline is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and it doesn’t come much better than Ynys Lawd - South Stack sea-cliffs - just round the coast from Holyhead. Here you can see nesting colonies of guillemots, puffins and razorbills. Pretty Trearddur Bay is a lovely spot to finish your trip with cosy coves to explore and a selection of places to stay.

If you or your group would like to enjoy a tour of the North Wales Way, please do contact our friendly team today and we’ll put together the perfect itinerary for you!

All photos © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2024) Cymru Wales