While the holiday season doesn’t officially start for a few weeks, North Wales warms up with an action-packed, fun-filled Spring half term break. Whether you’re Valentine’s lovers heading for the coast or a family in search of action and adventure, there’s loads going on right across the region. Here’s a round-up of what’s on in North Wales this half term – the hardest part will be fitting it all in!
For lovers
While we Welsh celebrated our national day of love with St Dwynwen on the 25 January we’re looking forward to doing it all again on St Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s falls on a Sunday this year so it’s the perfect excuse to make a weekend of it. Whatever you choose to do during the day, round it off with a delicious, intimate meal for two at one of North Wales’s finest eateries. With a thriving restaurant scene, North Wales is a major destination on the culinary map of Great Britain.
Our talented restaurateurs pride themselves on using the best of Wales in their food and many are pushing the boat out for Valentine’s weekend. The Hayloft Restaurant at Bodnant Welsh Food Centre in the Conwy Valley is hosting a special ‘Valentine’s Eve’ event, with a specially created, stunning seven course taster menu – places are strictly limited so book to avoid disappointment!
If music truly is the food of love you should head to Dylan’s Restaurant. With venues in Menai Bridge on Anglesey and Criccieth in Gwynedd, Dylan’s specially selected Valentine’s menu will be accompanied by a glass of fizz and live jazz. In Dylan’s own words: “save the embarrassment of running down the newsagents on Sunday morning for some wilting roses and get booking now!”
For sports fans
Half-term kicks off with a thrilling Under 20s Six Nations Internationals grudge match between Wales and Scotland at Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay, on Friday 12 February. Taking place at Conwy county’s premier sporting venue, the match promises to be every bit as nail-biting as the senior squad matches!
The 61st North Wales Car Club Cambrian Rally races into town on Saturday 13 February. The beautiful Victorian resort of Llandudno is the spiritual home of the Cambrian and, every year, thousands of fans line the Promenade to wave competitors off on the first leg of this mighty race. With rally stages taking place in both Llandudno and the Conwy Valley spectators are in for a treat. The Cambrian attracts some of the world’s finest drivers, rising to the challenge to tackle the hair-raising bends of the Great Orme and the sodden tracks of Clocaenog Forest.
Fans of professional wrestling should head for Llandudno’s Venue Cymru on Saturday 13 of February for an explosive evening of LDN Wrestling. Home-grown wrestling talent goes toe-to-toe with American all-stars for the ultimate smack-down! Suitable for all the family, this show is entertaining edge of your seat stuff!
For families
If you’re planning a family break to North Wales over half-term, yes, we’re at the mercy of the unpredictable British weather but with plenty to do – indoors and out – you won’t be stuck for ideas!
National Trust properties across North Wales are hosting a variety of family-friendly events, suitable for all ages. Visit Bodnant Garden in the Conwy Valley for an exciting week of activities, including Snowdrop planting, Pooh Sticks, den building and wild art.
Meanwhile, Penrhyn Castle, near Bangor, is hosting a unique day of space exploration with ‘Look at the Stars’ on Thursday 18 February. With astronomy-themed crafts and garden walks your little ones will leave inspired to try stargazing for themselves.
The ever popular Greenwood Forest Park, near Caernarfon, opens for a week of half-term fun. The whole park will be open to explore and enjoy, plus there’s a fun-packed itinerary of shows and activities taking place every day. With indoor and outdoor attractions it’s a great place to spend the whole day, whatever the weather.
Join the intrepid Livingstone for Explorer’s Week (Saturday 13 – Sunday 21 February) at Seaquarium Rhyl. Children can take part in the Explorer’s Trail or join in with daily craft workshops and presentations to learn all about life beneath the waves.
Stately home, Bodelwyddan Castle, is inviting explorer’s young and old to ‘Dens, Campfires and Marshmallows’ on Sunday 14 February. Learn how to build a den then toast marshmallows over a real campfire! Afterwards, warm up with lunch in the café (included), then continue your adventure in the castle gardens, hunt for bugs in the brand-new Little Kingdom, get lost in The Maze and scale the heights of the adventure playground! Phew, if that doesn’t wear them out nothing will!
With so much to do in North Wales, what will you be doing this February half-term? Enjoy yourself / mwynhau eich hun!
(Image courtesy of artur84 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net)
