There are a few places in Britain I’ve grown fond of because they offer three things in abundance - beautiful views, great dining options and a sprinkling of history and culture.
Another thing I love about them is that they can be crowd free, very tranquil and unspoilt in parts. I could share a list of a few places that fit this criterion, but if there was one I would choose to return to for an extended break in 2023 it would be…
This area of Wales is magnificent for its natural scenery - I love a road trip to Snowdonia and sitting in the passenger seat to soak in that sea view near Barmouth Bridge and the mountains rippling along the horizon near Harlech.
It is of course well known for castles, one of my favourite places is Conwy with its impressive fortress, town walls and pretty shops. I’d also recommend going to The Castle Hotel for lunch and checking out the smallest house in Great Britain by the harbour.
I’ve stayed in Llandudno on the coast as there’s plenty on your doorstep if you didn’t want to venture far one day. The Victorian promenade lines a pebbly beach and has plenty of hotels and B&Bs to choose from.
The steep Great Orme overlooks Llandudno town and has an old Tramway and Cable Car to the summit - both are worth trying for the views and unique experience if it’s in season and operating.
I’d recommend driving (or hiring a car) so you can explore North Wales at your leisure. I do enjoy stopping off in the quaint village of Beddgelert (hello ice cream shop and river walk) and driving to The Ugly House near Betws Y Coed. The Ugly House is tucked away on the roadside and is a real gem - I already want to hear what you thought, if they had a daily special and was it the scotch egg too?!
On the southern edge of Snowdonia is Barmouth, a lovely seaside town with a great beach and excellent fish & chip shop called Harbour Fish Bar - save a spot on a sea facing bench for me please!
North Wales is around 4 hours from London and if I was planning a few weeks on the road in Britain that would include North Wales, I’d also look at other northern locations like the Lake District and Lochs of Scotland.
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Jamie is a content creator from Wales with a passion for photography. In 2014 he started a travel blog called ‘Explore With Ed’ to share his adventures in both Great Britain and abroad, often via cruise ship. When he’s not working as a videographer for Blogosphere, Jamie loves visiting places steeped in history and seeking out the best spots for tea and cake.