Choosing a location for a holiday can be hard. But what if we shared with you one of the best kept secrets in North Wales?
Llanarmon DC is a small village nestled in the beautiful Ceiriog Valley. With spectacular views into the Berwyn Range, a river running through the centre of the village, two fantastic dining inns and close to some of the best days out in North Wales. Just don’t tell everyone about it – but the secret may already be out. This is what the Manchester Evening News and Rough Guides had to say about Llanarmon.
You could say it’s in the middle of nowhere. But this ‘nowhere’ is a glorious place. A secret valley where the countryside is a spectacle to behold."
Sitting on the edge of the quiet Ceiriog Valley, this is a place to come to get away from it all. The blissfully quiet valley was long a vital route into both Snowdonia and the heart of the country, and today it still makes a great choice for a stop as part of a wider exploration of the country.
If you want a lazy day there are easy walks straight from the door of our holiday cottage or just sit in the garden and watch the red kites circling over head. If the sun is shining light up the BBQ on the sunny patio. Mountain bikers and cyclists love the range of MTB and on road cycling in the area. Some of the best walking in North Wales is within easy reach by car as are some fantastic attractions and family days out. If we have tempted you then continue reading for some suggestions on things to do in the area.
Visit Llangollen
The popular tourist town of Llangollen is only a short drive away. Llangollen is a lovely place to visit. It has some wonderful walks straight from the town, a great selection of small independent shops, lovely places to eat and some pretty cool tourist attractions. It also has the magnificent River Dee running through the middle. Take a walk or horse drawn trip along the canal, visit the beautiful house at Plas Newydd, walk to the ruined castle at Dinas Bran or take a steam train ride.
Chirk Castle
Built in 1295, Chirk Castle is a National Trust castle with spectacular gardens and beautiful woods to wander around. Check out the National Trust website as there are often events running at the castle. Combine this with a walk across the Aqueduct at Chirk and onward along the canal or a visit to Offa’s Dyke National Trail.
Mountain biking or walking at Coed Llandegla
Coed Llandegla is one of the best mountain bike centres in the UK with 46km of trails. There are trails for all abilities from easy green trails suitable for young children through to red and black trails for experienced riders. There is also a great cafe and bike shop. There are nice walks in the forest if you don’t want to ride. Bike hire is available but ring ahead to check availability.
Visit the zoo
Consistently voted one of the best zoos in the world, Chester Zoo is about an hour drive from the cottage. A favourite place to visit for our children when they were younger.
Take a steam train ride
How about spending an hour or so travelling through some gorgeous Welsh countryside on a steam train ride. There are lots of options for steam train rides in the area such as the Llangollen Railway and the Bala Lake Railway.
Watersports and walks around Bala Lake
Bala is a very popular tourist destination and it is not hard to see why as some of the scenery around Bala is breathtaking. There are great walks in the area, white water rafting trips and you can rent canoes to paddle on the lake. If it is raining there is a great swimming pool with slide. Bala has a really good range of shops and places to eat.
Waterfall walk at Lake Vyrnwy
Lake Vyrnwy is one of our favourite places to visit. There is a beautiful circular on road cycle route around the lake which takes about 1.5 hrs to cycle (with plenty of places to stop along the way for a picnic). Bike hire is available, but ring ahead to check availability. The walk to Rhiwargor Waterfalls is a favourite of ours and it even has some pools for taking a dip in the summer. If you want to get out on the water you can hire canoes or launch your own paddle board.
Hit the beach
Wales has some truly world class beaches. Some of our favourite beaches are Barmouth, Llandudno, Aberdovey and Tywyn. A little further away are the beaches on the Llyn peninsula, our favourite being the National Trust beach at Llanbedrog.
Visit the Snowdonia National Park
Snowdonia is so diverse there are walks for all ages and abilities. We find the scenery around Bala, Dolgellau, Betws y Coed and in the forest at Coed y Brenin particularly attractive.
Whitewater rafting
White water rafting trips are available in Llangollen and at the National Watersports centre in Bala. There are age restrictions for children so check their websites. It is great fun if you have not tried it before.
Pistyll Rhaeadr
Visit our local waterfall which is spectacular even if it has not been raining. There are nice walks in the area and good tea room. A walk from here takes you up to Cadair Berwyn, the highest point in Denbighshire
