Our fun times in North Wales

My blog is primarily my diary, a place for me to record our trips, adventures and wine discoveries. It's lovely that others enjoy reading it too and maybe try a few locations, activities or drinks themselves. 

That said this post is my general round up about our fabulous week in North Wales at Deganwy. A place we had never heard of that nestles on the east side of the Conwy Estuary behind Llandudno, opposite Conwy and overlooking Angelsey.

Our apartment was super; one bedroom, bathroom, kitchen/diner and lounge. Being on the second floor we were grateful for the lift and with private parking it made a very comfy home from home.

But our main reason for choosing this apartment were the views, absolutely stunning, the patio doors with a glass balcony meant we could let the warm Welsh air in whilst enjoying the sights and sounds of the sea.

And there were sights and sounds a plenty, looking left we had a super view of Conwy Castle across the estuary. The trains ran every 20 minutes but were never intrusive, it was quite nice to hear them go past. We could also see the yachts sailing in and out of the marina, especially in the evenings as the sun went down.

Looking right we overlooked the Conwy coastline line and Angelsey. There was always something to see or hear.

The down side of Deganwy was it's lack of pubs or restaurants. There was a Chinese restaurant and expensive French restaurant in the small row of shops (beauticians and estate agents) but disappointingly no bar or pub to sit outside enjoying the views; if we win the lottery there's a business opportunity awaiting.

Our first night we walked along the estuary about a mile to the chip shop which was also eat in. It was certainly worth the stroll as the fish was delicious, too many chips but so so tasty. We did find the Castle View pub just around the corner and enjoyed a drink before the walk back. A shame really it wasn't nearer to our apartment but after long days out exploring the walk was a bit too far.

Unbeknown to us when we booked our first weekend coincided with Llanduduno's Vintage transport weekend. Deganwy is just one train stop from Llandudno which saved on parking, of course the trains were packed as it was a very busy weekend. 

Llandudno's town centre was closed to traffic with fairground rides set all along the high street, what a great atmosphere. The main showground was just out of town, we didn't go but really enjoyed seeing the few traction engines and other vehicles in the town.

Llandudno is a traditional sea side town that we had visited years ago when our son was small. It was nice to see some traditional entertainment still attracting the crowds and the pier open; very busy and quite a walk to the end. All the fun of the sea side was on offer from candy floss stalls, ice cream sellers, live music at the end of the pier and of course the amusement arcades with their tipping point machines.

It was also the Victorian Festival with many people dressed in Victorian clothing. Earlier in the day a steam train had pulled into the station and the 'Victorians'enjoyed an Afternoon Tea  on board. 

We were back in our apartment when the steam train departed but a bonus of staying above the railway line is we had a birds eye view as it steamed past.

I always holidayed in North Wales in the 1970s with my Dad and the scouts, it was a treat when Dad drove to Angelsey crossing the Menai Suspension Bridge. So lovely to do this again and visit Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrynrobwllllantysiliogogogoch which I can say but you'll have to take my word on that!

We had an amazing week, out everyday visiting all the National Trust and Cadw properties in the area. We really enjoy being NT members and as we are co tuning English Heritage members we now enjoy free admission to Cadw properties.

These are the places we visited, as well as a local vineyard, with links to each dedicated post: 

Chirk Castle        Conwy Castle        Beaumaris Castle   

Penrhyn Castle       Plas Mawr          Plas Newydd   

Gwinllan Conwy Vineyard       Bodnant Gardens 

Needless to say we walked miles doing so many steps everyday. It was interesting to see our fit tracker, Monday was our drive around Angelsey and Thursday our vine tasting followed by a chilled last afternoon enjoying the views.

As you can see we had a superb time in North Wales and hopefully won't leave it so long until we visit again. Maybe in Conwy itself next time as it had so many lovely shops, bars and restaurants, although I don't think we'd manage in The Smallest House in Great Britain, it was cute but so so small!

Our North Wales holiday cheers

My previous North Wales blog posts have been about the fabulous places we visited, this post is dedicated to raising our glasses... iechyd da.

This holiday we brought with us six wines from our cellar. Quite a mixed selection including a Welsh wine from White Castle. 

We visited Chirk Castle on the way so I picked up a bottle of their fortress ale to try and a few Welsh beers were a must have addition to our food shop prior to arriving at Deganwy.

But our first glass raised to iechyd da was outside the Castle View pub about a mile down the road from our apartment. It was the perfect end to our first day, a pint overlooking the estuary and Conwy Castle after enjoying a fish supper.

As mentioned we brought with us a bottle of Welsh wine, White Castle is in South Wales. 

Siegerrebe is a lovely dry wine having a light gold colour in the glass. There's lots of peach, orange and floral notes in both its aroma and flavour. 

This was very welcome after a long day out in Llandudno.

Our apartment certainly had great views, perfect for relaxing with a beer after a day sightseeing. I can't remember which of our beers this was but they were all very enjoyable.

Faugères is one of my favourite French wines, it's not one we drink often but maybe we should as it's delicious, a perfect match for our Sunday dinner.

We have previously visited Porthmadog and the Purple Moose Brewery. Their beer is really good, it was great to discover it in many of the shops.

There's nothing more enjoyable or needed after a long 3 mile walk than a glass of wine looking back to where you've come from. We walked from our apartment to Conwy, the Liverpool Arms the perfect spot looking across to Deganwy.

A little further down the estuary was a great pub in the Marina. The Mulberry is so named as thus estuary was used to build the Mulberry Harbours used in Northern France in World War II. 

We didn't know this before visiting, yet again our life is linked in strange ways as we toured the Normandy beaches in 2022 with our friends ad saw the remains of these incredible structures.

We overlook the marina and pub from our apartment, it was nice to look the other way.

What a super week of cheers and good health both in and out and about. Of course we also enjoyed many cups of coffee and non-alcoholic drinks but the wine and beer were definitely the highlights!

Plas Newydd

Plas Newydd is a National Trust property on Angelsey with beautiful views across the Menai Straits.

Our visit began with a lovely walk along sone extremely tall trees. Expecting to see the house in front of us we were quite surprised when the land sloped steeply away revealing the house below in its stunning location. 

William Paget in the early 1500s was Secretary of State to King Henry VIII. His main home was at Beaudesert, his title being 1st Baron of Beaudesert; Plas Newydd was a summer retreat.

Upon his death the Staffordshire Estate and Plas Newydd passed to his eldest son Henry William Paget 2nd Earl of Uxbridge. Henry lost his leg fighting at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and was awarded the title Marquess of Anglesey for his bravery.

In 1898 Henry Cyril Paget became the 5th Marquess of Anglesey inheriting an annual income of 18million in today's money. Henry enjoyed a flamboyant lifestyle which included many theatrical events at Plas Newydd. In just a few years he bankrupted the family owing more than 45millon which resulted in the Great Angelsey Sale, a 40 day sale of over 40,000 items from the house.

His first cousin Charles Alexander Henry Paget became the 6th Marquess in 1905. He sold Beaudesert and modernised Plas Newydd. 

Walking around the house today it is as it was in the early 20th century. In some ways this was a little strange as some decoration reminded us of our grandparents times and it's odd to think this is now old, although our grandparents didn't own a big house or have a magnificent canopied bed.

Plas Newydd is well known for it's Rex Whistler mural which is the length of the Dining Room. It's a stunning painting with the sides having an optical illusion of being able to walk through.

Rex Whistler was a good friend of the 7th Marquess and often visited Plas Newydd.

In the late 1940s Plas Newydd was used as a training base for Navy cadets and HMS Conway was moored here. It is certainly a super spot to moor a ship with access to open seas.

We had a lovely day at another beautiful National Trust property, we are certainly enjoying our membership. 

Penrhyn Castle

Penrhyn Castle, owned by the National Trust, is a stunning place but with a dark side to it. The estate is vast with parkland walks and a railway museum as well as the formidable castle. 

Originally the Pennant family became rich from their ownership of sugar plantations in Jamaica. 1n the 1730s they returned to England but still received income from their overseas estates, worked on by African slaves. 

Richard Pennant established the castle and as MP for Liverpool began campaigning for the abolition of slavery. He invested his Jamaican money into the Penrhyn Slate Quarry and during his life, 1737-1808, he built Port Penrhyn, supporting local workers. 

Upon his death Richard's estate passed to his cousin George Hay Dawkins Pennant. He was an MP for Newark and also New Romney and also worked towards the abolishment of slavery. George died in 1840 the same year that the castle was completed.

The Castle and Estate passed down the generations and with the Industrial Revolution the slate industry thrived. However exploitation of the local workers caused an uproar resulting in a lengthy dispute. Workers pay and condition demands led to the Great Strike in the 1900s and many workers moved away with the quarry no longer providing work. 

Following the death of the fourth Lord Penrhyn in 1949 the land and title were split. The title passed onto the Frank Douglas Pennant and the castle and land was granted to the National Trust in 1951.

I found the Castle both stunning and unnerving. I wasn't keen on the dark gothic styles but the craftmanship in the plaster ceilings and wooden carved panelling was amazing as my various photos show; the staircase was absolutely stunning.

Carved arches in the billiard room

Intricate plaster ceiling

Stunning staircase, carvings and plasterwork

Penrhyn Castle was so dark, the decor was in deep colours with so much wood. All of it was stunning in design and workmanship but it did feel a bit spooky.

On a lighter note in the outer buildings there was a railway museum. We initially thought it was a model railway but to our amazement it was a collection of full sized steam engines. 

I'm so glad we went to see Penrhyn Castle, it's one we've heard of many times but never visited. It is certainly a place everyone should see, quite amazing in so many ways.