traveling to visit our daughter in Bangor, Wales in mid October
Our daughter is studying this fall at Bangor University, Bangor Wales. We'll be visiting her during a 10 day trip to Wales starting in mid-October (October 12th). We're flying in and out of London Heathrow. We're renting a car, and looking for travel ideas in and around Wales. We'll spend a day or two with her, but the rest we will be on our own.
Any help, ideas, or trip tips would be appreciated.
Regards
Jack Kean
Arlington, Texas US 9/18/12
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Bangor is a nice enough town (I spent a fortnight there during the summer when I was 15), and close to Snowdonia. You could also visit Portmeirion, which has some interestingly quirky buildings, the many north Welsh castles (http://www.castlewales.com/wales_n.html). Anglesey is just over the Menai Straights, and you could probably manage to get to Chester for a day trip. We used to go to Aberystwyth a lot on holiday during the summer (my Mum is Welsh and so insisted that Welsh beaches and sunshine were far better than Spanish / English beaches and sunshine), and one place I used to enjoy going to was the Devil's Bridge Waterfalls (http://www.devilsbridgefalls.co.uk/), altho' they're in Ceredigon, not Gwynedd, and so would involve a drive on some pretty, yet narrow, roads.
Also, bear in mind that you'll be relatively close to Llandudno and Rhyl, which were/are traditional seaside holiday towns in the 20th century - might be interesting to have a look at them.
Jack, I'm sure by now your plans are pretty well fixed. I'm only surprised by how many responses you got. I love Wales. Love it. Portmerion is a great idea. Try a tour of a slate mine and take the train up Mt Snowden. Beddgelert waa one of our favourite places to stay and it made a great base for us. Please don't forget to find a mens choir performence or a rehersal..we found ours in Betws-y-coed. I know you'll have a wonderful time.
Harlech is the best castle in the world and only ties with Chevalier (Syria). It's an hour from Bangor, Caernarfon is along the way at about the two-thirds point. The two can take up a full day.
An earlier discussion along the same lines in here:
http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm?topic=92452
Conwy nice village and castle, and if you want to cross the border, Chester England.
Conwy, Beaumaris, Caernarfon are all within a short distance of Bangor. Close enough for quick day trips, and evenings with your daughter.
Would definitely go to Bath, Stonehenge, Wells as they are not too far from Wales. Not sure of where Bangor is but you could also do an overnight in Bath area if is is too far from Bangor. We thought Wells was great, went to evensong there thanks to one of Rick's videos.
'Not sure of where Bangor is ...'
A couple hundred from Bath, maybe?
Not sure of where Bangor is
It is the full length of Wales away, in the northwest corner. About 5 hours to drive, if you stick to English motorways until you reach north of Wales, then turn left.
It will take even longer if you try to go across Wales.
Its difficult to conceive of a longer journey across Wales unless you cross the bridge into Anglesey.