You too may have seen the hour-long queues at regional airports, including Manchester, over the last few months, and you might have cold feet about spending so much of your hard-earned holiday snaking through Terminal 1’s car park. Stay a while in the North West!
Perhaps this year you’re tempted by a staycation? Cornwall? Devon? The Sussex coast? Looking closer to home we are blessed with so many beautiful places to holiday in the North West and North Wales. Here’s our run down of a few of our favourites…
Rugged and refined
Anglesey
From coastal delights to inspiring walking routes, getting back to nature to breath-taking cycle routes, pretty villages to shopping heaven and restaurants and nightlife, Anglesey truly does have something for all the family and is an ever-popular UK break, attracting over 1 million overnight stays each year.
125 miles of stunning coast, with walking routes, water based activities, wildlife watching, beautiful beaches, and an opportunity to relax, unwind, take in the magnificent views and centre oneself? Anglesey delivers!
Catering for those who prefer a sedate stroll through to adrenalin junkies searching for their next high, you’ll find it all packed into the 714.8 km² of this much-loved Welsh island. It may be small, but it packs a punch!
Beaumaris, with its bustling high street full of great cafes, restaurants and shops is a must on a tour of Anglesey. Mixing retail therapy, foodie heaven and coastal charm, as well as the United Nations World Heritage Site of Beaumaris Castle, this village caters for everyone, with Menai Strait and Snowdonia views thrown in for good measure.
Beach lovers will be captivated by Benllech, with golden sands and cliffs and glorious headland walks to nearby villages.
Of course, no visit to Anglesey would be complete without a quick stop at Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch for that all important photo!
Llyn Peninsula
Further along the North coast of Wales and the Llyn Peninsula comes into view – a firm favourite of Cheshire’s well-heeled and a regular summer holiday spot. There are too many wonderful towns and village to mention, but Pwllheli, with its charm, great railway links (responsible for bringing tourism to this part of the world in 1867), real sea-side feel and Abersoch with its beautiful beach, busy nightlife, wonderful independent shops and The Warren make our list.
Llanbedrog and its pretty row of beach huts, gentle sloping beach and shallow water means it’s a year-round favourite for families.
Great beaches? Here’s a top 10 for you to explore.
City slickers
Liverpool
If a city mini break sounds like a good idea you could begin by exploring Liverpool. From cultural heritage to footballing mecca and from shopping ‘til you drop to fine dining you’ll be spoilt for choice in Liverpool.
If you’re a culture vulture, Liverpool is home to several top-flight museums, galleries and theatres so there’s bound to be something to whet your appetite. The city’s cathedrals and Central Library are worth a visit too.
For laid back vibes, hop on the comprehensive transport network and head to Another Place – Gormley’s installation at Crosby beach, or take a walk to Formby with its red squirrel reserve. Sefton Park can be reached by train from St Michael’s station, or you could hire a city bike.
No mention of Liverpool’s cultural powerhouse would be complete without The Beatles! Visit the famous Cavern Club and The Beatles Story.
You can find itineraries for short trips to Liverpool here.
Breath-taking walking
For an enthralling experience that’s hard to beat, a trip to Snowdon is highly recommended. Breath-taking landscapes, magnificent peaks, picturesque valleys…whether you choose to climb Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) or simply take in the view, you’re guaranteed an experience to soothe your soul.
For serious climbers, for ascending Snowdon is not for the faint hearted, the ill equipped or inexperienced, it’s a challenging 6-8 hour hike against the elements (and they can be harsh). A more sedate way to experience the high is to take the train on the Snowdon Mountain Railway.
Here’s the ultimate guide to walking routes in this glorious part of the world.
