Snowdonia National Park holds a special place in my heart, and this 3-day itinerary is perfect for a family adventure. With my husband and our toddler, Lily, we recently explored some of the best spots in the park. Heres how you can enjoy Snowdonias beauty and charm with your own family Day 1: Exploring Betws-y-CoedWe started our trip in the picturesque village of Betws-y-Coed, often called the gateway to Snowdonia. Its a fantastic spot for families, with something for everyone.Morning: Riverside WalkAfter a hearty breakfast, we set off on a short circular walk along the river. The trail was perfect for stretching our legs and taking in the lush surroundings. Lily loved spotting ducks and splashing in puddles (toddler-approved fun!). The peaceful sound of the flowing water and the fresh woodland air was the perfect way to start the day.Lunch: Hangin PizzeriaBy lunchtime, we were ready for a treat. Hangin Pizzeria, right in the heart of the village, did not disappoint. The wood-fired pizzas were delicious we shared a margherita and a salami-loaded option, both of which were a hit with Lily (and us!). They also have a range of vegan options. The friendly atmosphere made it a great family stop.Afternoon: Zip World Forest CoasterThe highlight of the day was the Zip World Forest Coaster. The UKs only alpine coaster of its kind, it offers an unforgettable woodland experience as you weave and speed at up to 25mph through the trees. A minimum height of 1m is required for this adventure, and children aged 38 years must be accompanied on the same sledge by one participating adult (or a child aged 9+ who is over 1m tall) for every child.We met friends here, which worked perfectly as we could take turns looking after Lily while the others enjoyed the ride. I was a little nervous at first, but we went back for a second go it was that good! Day 2: A Railway AdventureDay two was dedicated to exploring Snowdonia by train. The Welsh Highland Railway is a magical experience, especially with little ones who adore trains.All-Day Excursion: Welsh Highland RailwayWe boarded the train in Porthmadog and spent the day chugging through stunning landscapes of Snowdonia. The steam engines gentle rhythm and the views of mountains, forests, and rivers made this journey unforgettable. Lily was fascinated by the train and kept pointing out animals along the way.Stop 1: BeddgelertOur first stop was the charming village of Beddgelert. We visited Gelerts Grave and shared the tale of the loyal dog with Lily. Beyond Gelerts Grave, Beddgelert offers plenty to see and do. The quaint streets are lined with lovely independent shops and cafes, perfect for browsing or grabbing a quick treat.We also enjoed a scenic walk along the Glaslyn River, which winds through the valley and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. For history enthusiasts, theres a chance to learn more about the areas mining past at the nearby Sygun Copper Mine. Its a delightful village thats well worth exploring at a leisurely pace.Stop 2: CaernarfonThe trains journey ended in Caernarfon, where we explored the majestic Caernarfon Castle. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is steeped in history and was a hit with all of us. Lily loved pretending to be a princess in the castles towers, and the views over the Menai Strait were breathtaking. Day 3: Nature and GardensOur final day was a mix of natural beauty and a touch of elegance, providing a perfect end to our adventure.Morning: A Scenic WalkWe had two options for our morning walk, depending on the weather / how energetic we felt:Cwm Idwal Circular Walk: A slightly challenging yet stunning route around Llyn Idwal. The views of the surrounding mountains are incredible, and its a great way to immerse yourself in Snowdonias wild side. Its great for kids of all ages or for those baby carrying! It gives you a real experience of some of Wales highest mountains! We opted for this walk as the weather was great and Lily was up for the challenge!Route Guide: Cwm Idwal Walk: An Easy Hike in EryriAber Falls: A gentler option thats ideal for families. The easy path leads to a gorgeous waterfall, weve done this walk plenty of times and Lily is always mesmerised by the cascading water.Route Guide: Aber Falls Short WalkAfternoon: Bodnant GardenTo wrap up our trip, we visited Bodnant Garden, a National Trust property thats truly enchanting. The gardens are vast, with colourful flowers, towering trees, and serene water features. Lily enjoyed running along the paths while we soaked in the beauty. It was the perfect spot to unwind and reflect on an amazing few days in Snowdonia National Park! Snowdonia has so much to offer for families, and this itinerary gave us the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and quality time together. Whether youre walking through charming villages, riding a historic railway, or simply enjoying the natural beauty, Snowdonia is a destination that will leave you with memories to treasure.If you try this itinerary, Id love to hear how your trip goes. Have fun exploring! Other posts you might like Walks in Snowdonia National ParkThings to do in SnowdoniaOutdoor Activities in Snowdonia

Fancy joining the Trek & Mountain team and 400 other like-minded folk for an action-packed weekend in the Lake District next July? Well heres your chance to bag yourself a pair of tickets to one of the most anticipated outdoors events of 2025!Base Camp Festival 2025, the small and friendly festival for over-18s, will be happening in a very special corner of the Lake District. The festival site provides the perfect base for exploring the surrounding fells and crags, accessing the pristine waters of Buttermere, and enjoying the friendly atmosphere and numerous talks, films, workshops, music and other activities we have on-site.Weekend early bird tickets tickets are on-sale now for 195, and included in the ticket price is all of the following: Camping for three nights in a stunning lakeside location on Buttermere Free on-site activities including swimming, SUP, climbing wall, yoga and much more Free talks, workshops and films (including Best Of Kendal film selection) all weekend Live music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, plus impromptu performances around the firepit! Subsidised instructor-led activities, including via ferrata, climbing, scrambling, trail running and more Free goodie bag worth 30 plus entry into our huge festival raffle!The event is supported by leading outdoor brands including EXPED, Montane, La Sportiva and Ellis Brigham, and there will be demos of the latest kit, with clothing and equipment available for you to try out.Reserve your tickets now and save an extra 15 by using the discount code XMAS15 at www.basecampfestival.co.ukHOW TO ENTERFor a chance of winning a pair of tickets to Base Camp Festival worth 390, just answer the following question:Which brand will NOT be attending the festival next year?a. EXPEDb. Montanec. La Sportivad. Nescafee. Ellis BrighamEnter your answer and email address below:* indicates requiredYour email address *Your answer (A, B, C, D or E) Entries must be received by 31st January 2025, and the winner will be announced on 10th February 2025.

Here's a quick round up of what we've been up to since we last posted in September, and our plans for 2025.

This walk from Otford to Shoreham takes you across the Darent Valley countryside, mostly flat with one hill, and an oast house (I love an oast house) along the way.The post Otford to Shoreham Walk appeared first on She walks in England.

This is quite an interesting walk, like a treasure hunt, around the Otford Solar System. It claims to be one of the largest scale models of the Solar System inThe post Otford Solar System Walk appeared first on She walks in England.

This is a very easy and short circular walk in the Darent Valley, featuring a medieval village, a white chalk hill cross, and wonderful views down to the village ofThe post Shoreham Cross Circular Walk appeared first on She walks in England.

Myself and my most trusted walking companions headed for Wicklow on a cloudy weekday morning. Joining me to walk the Blessington Greenway was my Mother and Aunty Noreen. I dont think Noreen has forgiven me yet for the torrential rain we encountered when she and I completed the Wicklow Way trail from Marlay Park to []The post The Blessington Greenway appeared first on Wild Irish Walks.