Family-Friendly
Plas Menai National Outdoor Centre, Caernarfon
Full day £40, half day £25
Plas Menai is the National Outdoor Centre for Wales, so you know that you’re in for a treat – as long as you like your outdoor activities, that is! Make sure you come prepared: you are going to need towels and swimming costumes if you want to make the most of your time here.
Get yourselves down to Caernarfon, and after you’ve taken in the majesty of the castle you can get a bit wet and wild at Plas Menai. What does the National Outdoor Centre have to offer? Well, let’s make a list:
- Sailing
- Wind surfing
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Power boating
- Water rescue
- Paddle boarding
To put it simply, there is a lot to do here. Plas Menai provides all of the necessary equipment, so there’s no need to worry about bringing a whole load of gear with you. The highly qualified instructors make sure that everything is super safe and (perhaps more importantly) super fun.
And once you’ve tired yourselves out on the Menai Strait, you can give yourself a bit of time to rest and recuperate in the on-site café, where you can grab a nice cup of tea and a bite to eat. Lovely.
Image source: CC-by-SA 2.0 by Hefin Owen
Image source: CC-by-SA 2.0 by Ian Carroll
Location
Plas Menai is located on the banks of the Menai Straits, in between Bangor and Caernarfon. Plas Menai can be found on the A487; follow the brown signs!
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Somewhere you've never been? What is Nearby?
Caernarfon
Caernarfon is known for one thing more than anything else: its mighty castle. This immense fortress dates back to the end of the 13th century – King Edward I of England had begun his Welsh conquest, taking the town of Caernarfon in 1283. The pre-existing motte and bailey structure was demolished under his instruction, and in its place began work on the impressive stone structure we know today.
Caernarfon Castle
Probably the most famous of all the many castles in Wales, and for good reason – its sheer scale dwarfs the others, and the town walls are still remarkably intact. Tourists can walk along a small part of the walls, which offers some fantastic views over the town. Also houses the museum of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
Cycling and Mountain Biking in North Wales
North Wales is home to a wide variety of cycling routes, from popular ones to little-known paths, from short jaunts to long distance endurance trails, from easy-going tracks to hard-core downhill courses. There really is a little something for every type of cyclist here.
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Anglesey is always a favourite with holiday makers with it's many beaches (it is an island!) and beautiful countryside. Enjoy walks and bicycle rides in Newborough Forest, spend time at the Sea Zoo or visit the town of Beaumaris with it's castle, promenade and the Red Boat Ice Cream Parlour. Stay in a cottage on Anglesey.
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Choose a cottage in the Snowdonia area for qucik access into the Snowdonia National Park. From remote cottages overlooked by soaring mountains to cottages in small villages you can find the right level of "countryside" for you.
Cottages around Caernarfon
Base yourself in the Caernarfon area to explore this historic castle town and the Snowdonia area. The Welsh Highland Railway starts from Caernarfon to Porthmadog, a great way to see the countryside. The Llyn Peninsula is also easily accessible. Find a your holiday cottage here.