Holyhead — Snowdonia And Edward I Castles

What Is Within Reach

Holyhead is on Holy Island off Anglesey, connected by road bridges, so nothing here requires a ferry. Caernarfon Castle is 50 minutes away, the grandest of Edward I Welsh fortresses with polygonal towers and banded masonry modelled on Constantinople, and the place where the Prince of Wales investiture is held. Conwy Castle is 55 minutes with its complete circuit of town walls. Both are UNESCO listed. Snowdonia National Park begins about 45 minutes away and the Llanberis Pass gives the most accessible dramatic scenery, with the Snowdon Mountain Railway running from Llanberis if the timing and weather cooperate. On Anglesey itself, Beaumaris Castle and South Stack lighthouse are 20 to 40 minutes.

Practicalities In North Wales

Three things to know. The Snowdon Mountain Railway is weather dependent and sells out, and the round trip takes two and a half hours, so it only fits a long call and must be booked ahead. Welsh mountain roads are narrow and slow, and the Llanberis Pass in particular carries heavy summer traffic. And Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, the station with the longest name in Europe, is a five minute photo stop on the way and costs nothing, which guests enjoy more than they expect. Road signs are bilingual Welsh and English, which is not a problem with a driver but confuses self drive visitors. We plan around the all aboard time as at every port, with a 60 to 90 minute cushion.