Overview
North Wales is a good place to be a child: castles to explore, animals to meet and mountains that feel enormous.
At Caernarfon Castle there are towers and wall-walks to climb. On Anglesey, Foel Farm Park lets children meet the animals and help feed them, with much of it under cover if the weather turns. For the grown-ups there are Plas Newydd's gardens on the Menai Strait, and the longest place name in Europe for everyone to try.
The day ends in the mountains, at Cwm Idwal and Swallow Falls.
- Duration
- 1 day
- Group size
- Up to 7 guests
- Vehicle
- Mercedes V-Class
Includes
- Expert bilingual local guide
- Travel in a Mercedes V-Class
- Daily pick-ups & drop offs
- Fully customisable
Excludes
- Flights, transfers and accommodation
- Food and drink
- Entry fees to attractions
- Castles
- Myths & legends
- Coast & beaches
Itinerary
Towers, a farm and a waterfall
The morning is Caernarfon Castle: towers to climb and walls to walk. Then over the Menai to Foel Farm Park, where children help feed the animals, and the gardens at Plas Newydd across the water. After the longest place name in Europe, it's up into the mountains at Cwm Idwal, and back by way of Swallow Falls.
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Edward I's mightiest fortress, guarding the Menai Strait since 1283
Edward I's fortress palace at the mouth of the Seiont, begun in 1283, its banded masonry and polygonal towers modelled on the walls of Constantinople. The first English Prince of Wales was born here in 1284, and the investiture of Prince Charles took place here in 1969. A World Heritage Site with its walled town, and one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe. -
Hands-on Anglesey farm park, a good stop with younger children
A working farm on Anglesey opened to visitors, where children can meet and help feed the animals. Much of it is undercover, which makes it a dependable option with younger children when the weather turns. -
Marquess of Anglesey's mansion and gardens on the Menai Strait
The Marquess of Anglesey's house on the Menai Strait: a 1470s house rebuilt in the 1790s by James Wyatt and restyled in the 1930s, when Rex Whistler painted the 58-foot mural in the dining room, his largest work, an imagined harbour with Snowdonia beyond. Gardens and woodland walks along the strait, and the National Trust since 1976. -
The village with Europe's longest name, and the photo to prove it
The village with the longest place name in Europe, 58 letters, stretched to that length in the 1860s as a stunt to bring visitors to the new railway station. It still works: everyone stops to be photographed under the station sign. The name means roughly 'St Mary's church in the hollow of the white hazel near the rapid whirlpool and St Tysilio's church by the red cave'. -
Wales's oldest nature reserve, a dramatic hanging valley and lake
A hanging valley and lake under the cliffs of Glyder Fawr, Wales's first National Nature Reserve, where Darwin came in 1831 and only later realised he had been looking at the work of glaciers. The legend is darker: Idwal, a prince's son, was drowned in the lake by his guardian, and no bird, they say, has flown over it since. The circuit of the lake is about three miles from the Ogwen car park. -
Snowdonia's most popular waterfall, a short way from Betws-y-Coed
A series of falls on the Afon Llugwy two miles above Betws-y-Coed, the most visited waterfall in Snowdonia since the Victorians came by train. The Welsh name, Rhaeadr Ewynnol, means the foaming fall; 'ewynnol' sounds like 'y wennol', the swallow, and the English name stuck.
What guests say
We had an incredible experience touring Anglesey and the surrounding area with John. From the very start, his communication was excellent, making everything smooth and easy to plan. Our group ranged in age from our children (10, 11, and 12) to my 75-year-old mother, who had never traveled abroad before, and John was wonderfully accommodating to everyone. His deep knowledge, thoughtful approach, and great sense of fun made the day engaging for all of us—our kids especially loved him. He also partnered with a colleague to help weave in our family's ancestry, which made the day uniquely meaningful. It was truly a special experience that we will always remember.
We had a wonderful North Wales tour covering Snowdonia, Anglesey, Conwy, Caernarfon, Betws-y-coed, Menai Bridge, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch and the unforgettable sunset at Great Orme. The entire tour was well planned and thoroughly enjoyable.
John Pritchard has an in-depth knowledge of the region and shared fascinating insights about the area, including a brief yet engaging history of the places we visited, which added great value to the tour. He also helped us plan the itinerary thoughtfully and was extremely accommodating to our needs throughout the trip. He was extremely helpful with my two children and showed exceptional care towards one child who has mobility challenges.
Travelling in his Mercedes van was very comfortable, making the journey relaxing and pleasant. Overall, it was a memorable experience, and we would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting North Wales.
John was absolutely fantastic! He went above and beyond as our guide for our family trip!! Our group ranged from age 3 to age 76 and he was able to accommodate everyone effortlessly. We learned so much and laughed so much with him, and his connection to the region led us to seeing parts of Wales I don’t think we’d get to see from a standard tour guide. He made each day very special and personal. I would HIGHLY recommend Celticos to anyone traveling to Wales!
Frequently asked questions
- Can we change the itinerary?
Yes. Every tour we run is customised, so treat this itinerary as a starting point. Tell us what interests you and we will build the days around it.
- What time do we start and finish?
Usually around 9am to 5pm, but we are flexible. What matters most is that you have a good time, so if starting earlier or finishing later makes for a better day, that is what we will do.
- How many of us can come?
Up to 7 guests, travelling together in our Mercedes V-Class. For a party of 8 or more, get in touch and we will make special arrangements.
- Can children come?
Children over 12 years old are welcome. Not every tour suits children, so tell us their ages when you get in touch and we will plan the day around them. We are not able to accommodate infants and babies.
- Can this tour be combined with other tours, or made longer or shorter?
Yes. A day tour can be built into a multi-day tour, and a multi-day tour can be shortened, extended or joined to another. Tell us how many days you have and we will plan around them.
- Are admission fees included?
No. Entry to castles, gardens and other attractions is paid on the day, where a fee applies. Most of the castles are maintained by Cadw, part of the Welsh Government. Please visit cadw.gov.wales. We can advise you on the best deals when you book your tour with us.
- Is food included?
No. As we tour we will suggest eating places that our guests have enjoyed.
- What should we wear and bring?
Sensible footwear for some light walking, and a rain jacket, just in case.
- How much walking is involved?
Some, and none of it strenuous: the walk from the car to a castle gate or a viewpoint. If walking is a concern, tell us and we will plan the stops accordingly.
- Where should we stay?
Somewhere central, so that touring time is not spent driving to the start. Our accommodation advice lists places our guests have used, and we are happy to suggest a base for your tour.
