Family Friendly Holidays in North Wales

If you’ve never been to Wales, more specifically North Wales, then you’re missing out. North Wales is perfect for families with children with its multitude of rugged coastlines, un-spoilt beaches, mountain ranges and National Parks.

North Wales has all the things that fill kids of all ages with wonder and provides endless amounts of affordable entertainment. Here your kids will encounter the fascinating wildlife and legendary castles that they have learned about at school, whilst engaging in a host of healthy outdoor activities. Seaside holiday accommodation is of a very high standard with some of the coastal properties situated right on the beachfront in North Wales offering direct beach access and sea views.

The island of Anglesey is especially great for adventurous families who like to take a walk on the wild side. It is officially an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over 200km of rugged shores, golden sandy beaches and a coastal path and cycling route that circumnavigates the whole island. The array of experiences to be had here are endless. Whether your kids are into dolphin spotting, climbing, watersports, riding or cycling, Anglesey offers the perfect backdrop and all the props to give your kids a holiday adventure that they'll never forget.

Trearddur Bay, has two sandy beaches offering every kind of water sport activity, including surfing, canoeing, scuba diving and snorkeling. The sea here is very clean and filled with sea creatures, best seen by taking one of the organised boat trips available. The interior of the island is also teeming with wildlife and perfect for kids to explore, either on foot or by bike.

The historic seaside town of Rhosneigr, with its picturesque, white washed beach cottages is another gem. Some of the cottages here are located right on the beachfront and there are plenty of outdoor pursuits and water sports to try your hand at. There is even a golf course for the older kids to enjoy. Other child friendly resorts include Benllech, a pretty resort with the most incredible beach and just enough shops and pubs to keep a family happy and stocked, without the crowds.

There is another huge beach nearby in Red Wharf Bay where the kids can explore while parents can relax on the sand. Those with younger kids might enjoy the pint-sized Church Bay, a lovely secluded cove, with a scattering of cottages that never seems overcrowded whilst remaining very picturesque.

Families who love a well organised classic seaside resort, with a bit of history and culture and plenty of sports activities will love Conwy. Here your family can clamber about perfectly preserved castles, discover historic coastal towns and experience spectacular rivers and nature reserves. The queen of Conwy's resorts is Llandudno, a classy Victorian legacy with superb beaches, a stunning pier, cultural and historic sites, museums and a great zoo.

There are tons of surrounding attractions in Conwy too, including the incredible headlands and soaring cliffs that overlook Conwy Bay, the National Parks and the grand town of Conwy itself, which is donned with a multitude of impressive landmarks, a castle, shops, museums and galleries. In fact this town might provide a good base for those who want a bit of social life and buzz during their holiday, as it's still very close to the coast.

In the distance there will always be a glimpse of Snowdonia's mountain range, with parkland that extends way beyond the boundaries of the great Snowdon. It is well worth dedicating at least one day to a mountain trek, even if you cheat and take the Snowdon Mountain Railway to the summit.

If exploring Snowdonia is high on your list of activities, but you still want to combine it with a beach holiday then there is the beautiful coastal region of Gwynedd, which includes the idyllic and wild Lyn Peninsula. This county is in fact mostly made-up of Snowdonia National Park. That said, it still offers 300km of majestic coastline with numerous sandy beaches and resorts that are a perfect base for a family beach holiday.

One such resort is Barmouth, a gorgeous seaside town with loads of character and a huge white sandy beach. Barmouth not only offers fun for watersport fans and surfers, but also offers every conceivable outdoor activity thanks to its proximity to Snowdonia National Park. The town itself is lively and filled with great shops, pubs and eateries.

Another seaside destination, within the boundaries of the Snowdonia National Park coastline, is the historic town of Harlech. It offers numerous stretches of white sandy beach and has the most enormous sand dunes, all overlooked by breathtaking mountains and hills, one of which sports the spectacular World Heritage Castle of Harlech.

The beaches at nearby Dyffryn Ardudwy also have great dunes, which are now in fact a Nature Reserve. Close by lies the surfing beach of Tywyn, where you might spot a Dolphin while you ride the glassy waves! Last but not least is Abersoch, a scenic resort that lies at the end of the Llyn Peninsula. It also has a fine sandy beach that simultaneously offers surfers and sandcastle builders a run for their money. This very beach has been host to a number of International sailing events and a very popular playground for all kinds of yachters, boaters and watersports junkies.