SNOWDONIA is a fabulous destination for families. I've always known this as many a happy summer memory is made up from adventures in this beautiful part of Wales.
Here, Jacquie Knowles, who has the enviable job of helping promote the attractions of Snowdonia, outlines her five top picks for families.
GreenWood Forest Park provides, a family adventure park like no other is in the foothills of majestic Snowdonia. All the rides and activities at this unique eco-attraction have been designed for fun with a difference – you provide the energy! From the famous Green Dragon – the world’s first people-powered rollercoaster – to the therapeutic BareFoot Trail, GreenWood is an all-weather family experience that you’ll never forget. With magicians and pirates, face painting and craft making (during peak periods), who knows what fun you’ll find at the end of the next leafy trail?
There’s TreeTop Towers, Giant Jumper and Little Forest Playbarn or why not try the Great Green Run, it’s the longest slide in Wales. Moon Karts provide pedal-powered fun. Finally, relax in the café, snack bars and browse around the well-stocked gift shops. This attraction has scooped six major awards in sustainable tourism.
Picture by Paul Kay
What better way to spend the day than enjoying the thrills and spills at the Fun Centre (or Hwylfan in Welsh), in the royal walled town of Caernarfon? The fun never stops at North Wales’ biggest and best indoor adventure play centre. With 25ft drop slides, ball pools, rope bridges, tube slides, maze and climbing nets as well as an under-five's play area, mini electric go-karts and a fantastic Laser space sport game arena. Relax in the fully licensed restaurant or outside in the patio area. The centre also incorporates the fascinating interactive Christchurch Heritage Museum.
Picture by Paul Kay
3. Glasfryn Activity Parc and Bowling Centre
Revel in the freedom of a Quad Bike Safari. No prior experience needed – quad biking is great fun for everyone. It’s a great way to travel through the beautiful countryside and see a farm where conservation and agriculture go hand in hand. Each guided quad trek safari covers about four miles of farmland and lasts approximately 50 minutes which includes a ten minute safety induction. For the youngsters there is also a junior quad bike and special quad bike circuit, specially designed for children aged from six to eleven years old.
After a thorough briefing you will be kitted out with protective overalls, gloves and a helmet to ensure that you safely enjoy your guided trek. Whether you decide to take the challenge of the Quad Bike Safari, the Go-Karting circuit, or try your hand at ten pin bowling, or the Kids' Zone with soft play area and play frame, Glasfryn offers the ideal family day out in North Wales. Just don’t forget your camera.
Glasfryn Parc also has its very own award-winning farm shop, Siop Fferm Glasfryn.
Picture by Robin Formstone
4. The Welsh Highland Heritage Railway, Porthmadog
This is a museum where "do not touch" signs are banned. Children of all ages are encouraged to climb inside the cab of the steam and diesel locomotives, sit in the driver's seat and find out why certain locomotives are called "tank engines", and why you drive some of them sitting sideways. New attractions for 2010 include the Locomotive With No Name, where you get to have a go at putting your own name on a diesel engine using magnetic letters, or you can do what one child has already done and name it after your mum.
You can also learn how the different parts of a steam locomotive fit together by having a go at assembling one of the new wooden models. The museum also tells the story of two locomotives which have inspired characters in the Thomas the Tank Engine series.
Fearless Freddie, an old grey warhorse engine known for his intimate knowledge of mountain tracks is based on Russell, a steam engine built more than 100 years ago, which is now being rebuilt by volunteers at the WHHR.
Mighty Mac, a double-ended railway engine, is based on some very similar double locomotives which still operate in Porthmadog to this day.
A visit to the WHHR also includes a short ride on the train, and chance to help operate the railway for real. At the far end of the line, children can help the signalman by pressing the buttons to operate the signals and points, under close supervision of course.
The historic venue is a particular favourite for children. The stable block houses an industrial railway museum and a model railway museum. Upstairs there’s the Doll Museum displaying a large collection of 19th and 20th century dolls. Outside there are extensive grounds to roam through, including a children’s activity play area and Victorian walled garden. Then there’s the castle itself to explore with its fairytale appearance from the outside and a wealth of fascinating exhibits inside. A particular favourite with youngsters are the servants’ quarters which show life as it was in a grand ‘upstairs downstairs’ household of bygone years. The Victorian kitchen and other servants’ rooms, including scullery, larders and chef’s sitting room, have been restored to reveal the preparations for the banquet for the Prince of Wales’ visit in 1894.
There’s also the dramatic and instructive story of the wealthy Pennant family. They commissioned the castle in the 19th Century having made their fortune from using slave labour to trade in Jamaican rum and sugar, and were also responsible for the development of the quarry industry in North Wales. Added to this there’s a vibrant programme of events to stimulate the imagination including snowdrop trails, Easter trails around the grounds, children's crafts and face painting, art exhibitions, Punch and Judy for the little ones, Victorian schoolroom and Bat Trails at Halloween.
Further details about all of these and a wide range of family friendly attractions can be found by visiting the Attractions of Snowdonia website.
Details of accommodation can be found at: www.visitsnowdonia.info
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