Clwyd is a historic and picturesque preserved county in northeast Wales with rich heritage, coastal resorts, and scenic landscapes.
Speke Hall is a Grade I listed Tudor manor house in Liverpool, renowned for its historic timber-framed architecture, ancient yew trees, and scenic views over the Mersey estuary. Owned by the National Trust, it offers visitors both indoor exploration of historic rooms and outdoor gardens with walking paths.
12 Oct–8 Nov (next week)
Visitors follow an outdoor trail around the grounds of Speke Hall, completing five activities to discover a magic word and reunite the Sorceress of Speke with her lost animal familiars.
Aberconwy House is a 15th century medieval merchant's house in Conwy, Wales, notable as one of the oldest dateable houses in the country. It is a Grade I listed building managed by the National Trust and operates as a museum showcasing timber-framed vernacular architecture.
Conwy is a historic walled market town in Wales famous for its medieval castle, town walls, suspension bridge, and preserved Elizabethan architecture, offering rich cultural heritage and picturesque riverside views.
Ysbyty Ifan is a small historic village in Conwy, Wales, known for its medieval Knights of St John hospital and its location on ancient pilgrimage routes. The area features a large National Trust estate with natural moorlands and river valleys, ideal for walking and outdoor activities. The village also offers amenities such as a primary school, rugby pitch, and children's playground, reflecting a family-friendly community.
Castell Conwy is a magnificent medieval fortress in Wales, offering visitors extensive outdoor exploration of its well-preserved battlements, royal apartments, and town walls. Visitors can climb restored towers and enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding town and mountains. It is a significant historic site built by King Edward I and is part of a World Heritage Site.
Castell Rhuddlan is a historically significant Edwardian castle featuring a unique concentric design with twin-towered gatehouses and a deep moat, located by the River Clwyd. Visitors can explore the extensive outdoor grounds, learn about medieval military engineering, and enjoy facilities including a gift shop and refreshments. The site is accessible, child-friendly, allows dogs on short leads, and offers seasonal open times with admission charges.
Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant is a small historic house museum in North Wales, known as the birthplace of William Morgan, the first translator of the Bible into Welsh. Visitors can explore the restored 16th-century cottage and view a unique collection of Welsh Bibles.
Castell Dolwyddelan is a historic Welsh mountain castle known for its commanding location in Snowdonia, association with Prince Llywelyn the Great, and distinctive mix of medieval and 19th-century restoration architecture. Visitors can explore the ruins outdoors year-round, with limited interior access in summer months.
The Carneddau is a prominent mountain range in Snowdonia, Wales, featuring some of the highest peaks in the country, wild ponies, lakes, and significant natural and archaeological heritage. It offers vast outdoor experiences in rugged mountain and valley landscapes.
Castell Ewloe is a native-built Welsh castle located in a deep woodland setting near the Wales-England border, known for its distinctive D-shaped stone tower and historic significance as a contested borderland fortress. The site offers an outdoor historic experience with walking trails and steps, accessible to visitors year-round with free entry.
St Winefride's Shrine & Well is a historic pilgrimage site featuring a late 15th-century chapel with an indoor holy spring and an outdoor healing water pool. Visitors can explore the richly decorated chapel and enjoy the site's spiritual and cultural significance along the North Wales Pilgrim's Way.
Plas Mawr is a Grade I listed Elizabethan townhouse in Conwy, North Wales, built between 1576 and 1585. It features rich Renaissance architectural details, original plasterwork with heraldic emblems, restored formal gardens, and serves as a museum with exhibition displays showcasing the social and architectural history of the period.
Bodysgallen Hall is a Grade I listed 17th-century manor house near Conwy, Wales, with medieval origins as a defensive tower. It features historic terraced gardens in Dutch style, woodland surroundings, and offers both indoor historic interiors and outdoor garden experiences as a National Trust property and hotel.
Conwy Town Walls offer visitors a chance to walk along one of Europe's most complete medieval town walls, encircling the historic town with 21 towers and gateways. The outdoor experience includes stunning views of Conwy Castle, the estuary, and Snowdonia, but involves strenuous walking with steep steps and uneven surfaces. Entry is free, but dogs are not allowed due to safety concerns on the narrow walls.
Bodnant Garden is a large National Trust hillside garden in Conwy, Wales, renowned for its extensive plant collections, historic terraces, woodland areas, and the longest Laburnum arch in the UK. Visitors can explore formal gardens, riverside areas, and woodland with a variety of rare plants and trees.
12 Oct (next Monday)
A seasonal guided walk at Bodnant Garden explores autumn foliage and colour, with practical ideas and inspiration for bringing autumn interest into your own garden.
Chester Zoo in Upton-by-Chester, Cheshire, England, is one of the UK's largest and most diverse zoological collections, featuring over 35,000 animals from 500+ species across extensive outdoor habitats and impressive indoor exhibits. Visitors can explore themed zones like the Heart of Africa savannah, Islands exhibit, and Tropical Realm, with facilities including cafés, restaurants, play areas, and educational programs, making it a premier destination for families and wildlife enthusiasts.
Conwy Suspension Bridge is a historic and architecturally significant pedestrian suspension bridge in Conwy, Wales, built by Thomas Telford in the 19th century and now managed by the National Trust. It offers visitors a chance to experience one of the earliest suspension bridges in the world adjacent to Conwy Castle.
Basingwerk Abbey is a Grade I listed ruined Cistercian abbey founded in the 12th century located near Holywell, Flintshire, Wales. Visitors can explore extensive medieval ruins set within Greenfield Valley Heritage Park, managed by Cadw. The site showcases historic religious architecture and marks the start of the North Wales Pilgrims Way.
The Glyderau is a mountain range in Snowdonia, Wales, known for its rugged peaks including Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach, popular for hiking, scrambling, and climbing, featuring unique natural flora and an underground hydroelectric power station.
Valle Crucis Abbey is a historic Cistercian abbey ruin in Denbighshire, Wales, founded in 1201 and dissolved in 1537. Visitors can explore extensive outdoor ruins including the church, cloisters, and outbuildings, with access to some first-floor areas. The site is noted for its medieval architecture and the only remaining monastic fishpond in Wales.
Chirk Castle is a historic Grade I listed castle and stately home in north-east Wales, built in 1295 and managed by the National Trust. Visitors can explore both the castle interiors and extensive formal gardens and parkland surrounding the site. The estate also features notable landscape elements such as Offa's Dyke and has historic significance dating back to the Marcher Lords and English Civil War periods.
Gwydir Castle is a historic Tudor fortified manor house from around 1500 in Conwy valley, Wales, featuring extensive gardens with ancient trees and Renaissance elements. Visitors can explore both restored indoor living spaces and outdoor landscaped gardens centered on a scenic, historic estate.
Llanrwst is a historic market town in Conwy, Wales, known for its wool trade heritage, notable historic buildings, and proximity to Snowdonia, making it a charming destination for cultural and scenic tourism.