Wales?

Thinking of going to Wales for a week in Aug. Have 2 children 4 and 1. We are considering getting boat to Holyhead and then hit maybe Chester Zoo and THomas & Friends in Llangollen on the way south. Has anybody any recommendations for places to visit? We will probably go home via Rosslare.

Good choice. Wales is very underrated as a destination.

Some recommendations in North Wales:
Castles: Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Conwy, Harlech
Scenery: Snowdonia (the A4086 between Llanberis and Capel Curig is one of the best drives in the world - no need to go to New Zealand)
Steam trains: Llanberis, Welsh Highland, Lllangollen, Ffestiniog
Victorian seaside resort with pier: Llandudno
Towns & villages: Betws-y-Coed (can be very busy), Ruthin, Conwy, Beddgelert
Ice-cream: Glaslyn in Beddgelert.

Just inside England, Chester Zoo is a good choice - the bat house is is an experience and there is a big meerkat enclosure which the children will love. If you already have membership of Dublin Zoo & Fota, you get in free - no need to queue. Chester city is worth visiting too for its city wall and half-timbered buildings.

Thanks. That is exactly the type of info I was looking for.

Went there last Summer , to West Wales , Newquay , Carthmarthen.

A lovely seaside resort , plenty to do.- went further North to Aberysthwyth and South to Tenby. Was mainly rural Wales for us ,

You will find plenty flyers/ leaflets in Tourist areas with places to visit .......and all well worth visiting from Animal Farms to railway tours , and of course we spent a full day in Oakwood Amusement Park.

If you have Sat-Nav or can get loan of one , do so , as you can see distance and travel time easily before you set out .

For driving , the majority of roads in Wales are like driving on any national/regional route in Ireland .

If you're visiting Beddgelert, tell this story to the kids beforehand.

http://www.valleystream.co.uk/gelert.htm

And visit this grave then.

[broken link removed]

I'm sure they'd enjoy it all.

(I just re read your post and realised that your children might be a little young for the story-but you'd probably enjoy it).

Portmerrion (as in the pottery and "The Prisioner") is just amazing for old & young alike.

We stayed at the 3* Wild Pheasant hotel in Llangollen earlier this year and really enjoyed it. Rooms simple but comfortable, food 5* quality, good spa. Lots to see and do in the area and close enough to Chester and the North Wales beaches.

If you can fit in www.altontowers.com its great. Its near Stoke-on-Trent so not that far out of Wales. Your children may be a little young but the junior section should amuse them. Both of you should enjoy it also.

Its a long time since we went but we found Stena Line much better than Irish Ferries. You might be able to avail of discount here.

Leex, would agree with previous psoter regarding the drive thru Snowdonia. Its stunning. If getting Irish Ferries to Holyhead get the Club Class - priority boarding etc, better seating, complimentary paper, fruit drinks, snacks etc and can be done online. IMHO its worth the extra few bob...

Thanks a million for all the suggestions.