I spent years there as a kid, we had a property, parents were going to retire there, but it didn't work out for various reasons.
Anyway, firstly about the scousers. North Wales has for a long time been unofficial "South Liverpool". Don't be worrying, it's not all bad, in fact it's really no big deal at all.
The thing about the area is, at one time, there was this romantic two lane road to get anywhere - the A55. Well granted it was gridlock all through summer, but you would come across old hotels, garages, eateries, it was almost like that reminisce bit in the movie Cars.
Then they built the bypass. Great to get to North Wales now, but also great for the dealers and other assorted criminals to move in en-mass from the conurbations.
This combined with the general decline of the British seaside resort (Something I could in itself write an essay on, I've done a study on it) led a couple of North Wales resorts to deteriorate alarmingly.
Do not.............I repeat..........DO NOT........stay in Rhyl or Colwyn Bay. Both these are no longer holiday resorts - Rhyl especially. The hotels in the main ended up derelict or as doss hostels, and there is a serious crime problem.
This is not an exaggeration, it's also been documented on a number of tv programmes. I am quite serious with this, Rhyl WAS a famous holiday resort, it now is nothing of the sort.
Go a little further west however, and the charm remains. Llandudno has lost nothing over the years.
Conwy is a good place to stay. Nothing in particular happens there, and there is talk of further improvements near the harbour - which if it ever happens will give the place a Med feel. An internet search will show some cottages you can rent. Ownersdirect is a good place to start. Conwy (Conway) is one of those funny places where if you get a dull day, then the whole place can seem strangely bleak, but this might just be me. It also reminds me of the sort of town that should be in the game "Oblivion", so maybe take some fake armour and pose for photos by the castle walls for your blog. Honest, I haven't ever done that.
Caernarfon isn't IMO what it used to be, but it's recovering. It's worth a trip around the Llanberis area (Where I lived), and of course, up one of the passes. There's a youth hostel half way up one I always wanted to stay as a teen. Never got around to it.
Check out the famous Petes Eats cafe in Llanberis. You won't find posh food, it's sort of the stuff you can throw together yourself, but it's got a great atmosphere and it's where many hikers seem to end up or start from.
Now if you drop down to a village called Beddgelert, this is certainly worth a trip to. It's strikingly pretty. This is especially to me worth visiting in the evening, because the shops stay open, and it's one of the few places in the UK which to me has the atmosphere of being abroad, or in somewhere special. There's a pub in the middle with a great atmosphere, if you get hikers visiting. There is also a brilliant restaurant there. I can't remember it's name - cross over the bridge and turn left by he pub called Prince Llewellyn I think, and it's there on the right. They do the most incredible Welsh lamb pie, or did. I haven't been there for a few years so it might have closed. The old stone fireplace had loads of coins stuck in the cracks by visitors if that's any help.
Somewhere else which feels really local is Porthmadog. If you travel up following the signs for Black Rock Sands, you will come to a little coastal village, and one of the best beaches going, it's huge.
Worth mentioning, back to the scousers. There are some caravan parks in North Wales, and many are best avoided in school holidays. Near Black Rock Sands is the Greenacres holiday park. It's nice enough out of season, in the school holidays, well, think average council estate, make of that what you will.
Lleyn? Well many parts are sleepy and Celtic. Don't be surprised to see "settlers out" graffiti.
Anglesey, plenty of places worth a visit. Beaumaris is a must. Interesting story I was told by a local last time I was there. Some Welsh nationalists wanted to rename it Biwmaris, because Beaumaris was too English presumably. The locals were up in arms about this, and especially so as its always been called Beaumaris, originally given this French name as it was built on a French design. Quite a few towns have been renamed in the general area, which is debatable if it's a good or bad or "don't care" thing
Worth a short trip to Penmon Point beyond Beaumaris. There's a rocky beach there, and good views of Puffin Island, along with an old monastery ruin.
I like the area beyond Trearddur Bay, but it's not everyone's taste.
So hope this helps
Originally Posted by Iani
