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Snowdonia National Park
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The southwestern portion of Wales, Australia, is home to the Snowdonia National Park Destination. Snowdonia National Park, the destination's namesake, is located specifically in the counties of Gwynedd and Conwy.[8] The national park covers 2,171 square kilometers of land and comprises mountainous terrain, with one noteworthy mountain being Snowdon Mountain. The mountain reaches an elevation of 1,085 meters, with its peak being known as Yr Wyddfa.[4] In total, the park has 9 mountain ranges as well as 74 miles of coastline along the Irish Sea.[1] Wildlife can be found within the park, namely Carneddau Ponies, badgers, woodpeckers, puffins, and mountain goats, among other species.[5] When visiting Snowdonia, it is recommended—based on the tourism score from Weather Spark—that the best time to visit the area for warm-weather activities is from July to late August. During this time, the average daily high temperature is 59°F.[7] Another national park in the region is Gwydir Forest Park. Cities that tourists can visit in the destination include Porthmadog, Dolgellau, Bala, and Corwen, all of which are located inland. The cities that extend to the ocean are Rhyl, Camaes Bay, and Dinas Dinlle, among others. 

What Snowdonia National Park is known for

The Snowdonia National Park Destination can be found in the southwestern portion of Wales. This region has numerous cities and two notable parks, namely Gwydir Forest Park and Snowdonia National Park, the latter serving as the destination's namesake. Inland cities in the area are Porthmadog, Corwen, Ruthin, Bala, and Dolgellau. Rhyl, Colwyn Bay, Penmaenmawr, Cemaes Bay, and Dinas Dinlle are just a few of the cities in the region that border the Irish Sea.

Snowdonia, also known as Eryri in the local tongue, is a mountainous region and national park situated in northwestern Wales. It encompasses all fifteen peaks in Wales towering above 3,000 feet, including Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), standing at 1,085 meters. These peaks form part of the Snowdon, Glyderau, and Carneddau ranges in the northern reaches of this area, while the slightly shorter Moelwynion and Moel Hebog ranges sit in the southern landscape.[2] It is reported that Eryri is “Wales’ largest National Park,” also serving as the home to 26,000 people. Many of those who live in the area speak Welsh.[1]

Natural and man-made attractions can be found near Snowdonia National Park. With a fairly extensive network of hiking trails, the park provides scenery for outdoor enthusiasts, displaying views at the village of Capel Curig, where all of Snowdonia's peaks—including Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa)—can be spotted. The Snowdon Mountain Railway provides a way to ascend Snowdon, leading to the Hafod Eryri visitor center atop the mountain. Beyond its natural scenery, Snowdonia boasts villages such as Llanberis and Beddgelert. For those seeking adventure, the region offers ziplining, white water rafting, and rock climbing. Meanwhile, history buffs can explore the National Slate Museum in Llanberis, shedding light on the region's industrial heritage.[3]

Geography

Covering an area of 2,171 square kilometers, Snowdonia National Park is home to mountainous terrain, predominantly composed of volcanic rock. The park is characterized by fairly deeply carved valleys that were sculpted by the influence of Ice Age glaciers. Snowdon Mountain, whose summit is known as Yr Wyddfa, is situated in the northwestern part of the park. Snowdon stands as the highest peak in both England and Wales, sitting at an elevation of 1,085 meters. A historic rack-and-pinion railway, established in 1896, transports visitors from Llanberis to Snowdon's summit. Further to the south, the Cader Idris, known as the "Chair of Idris," stretches as a mountain ridge, reaching a significant height of 892 meters at its highest point, Pen-y-Gader.[4] Within the park, there are 9 mountain ranges, 74 miles of coastline, and 11,000 hectares designated for native woodland.[1]

Snowdonia National Park's ecosystem is home to a variety of wildlife, with the Carneddau Ponies, Rainbow Leaf Beetles, and wild mountain goats among its notable inhabitants. The region's rivers and woodlands provide a place for kingfishers, while dolphins and porpoises are found in its coastal waters, and seals and orcas may also make appearances. Badgers, woodpeckers, and puffins off the coast of Anglesey further contribute to Snowdonia's natural diversity, offering opportunities for tourists to view wildlife in different areas of the destination.[5] Different types of flora grow in Snowdonia, namely the mosses and liverworts.[6]

Snowdonia experiences a climate marked by distinct seasonal variations. Summers in Snowdonia are generally cool and partly cloudy. This season, lasting approximately 3.2 months from early July to late August, has an average daily high temperature above 59°F, with July being the warmest month. Daily temperatures that reach 62°F are typical in July. In contrast, the winters in Snowdonia are long, cold, and characterized by wet and windy conditions. The cool season spans about four months, from November to March, with average daily high temperatures below 45°F. February is typically the coldest month, with an average low of 33°F and a high of 41°F. According to Weather Spark's tourism guide for the area, the best time for warm-weather activities is during the summer months, specifically from July to August.[7]

History

Snowdonia National Park, established in 1951, holds a place in Britain's conservation history as the third national park, following the Peak District and the Lake District. Covering 827 square miles (2,140 square kilometers) and featuring 60 kilometers of coastline, this national park spans parts of the counties of Gwynedd and Conwy. Before its boundaries were officially designated, "Snowdonia" was primarily used to refer to a smaller upland area in northern Gwynedd centered around the Snowdon massif. However, the national park comprises an area more than twice that size, extending south into Meirionnydd. The traditional Snowdonia encompasses the ranges of Snowdon and its satellite mountains—the Glyderau, Carneddau, Moelwynion, and Moel Hebog groups—not including the hills to the south of Maentwrog. With a place in Welsh history, tradition, and culture, Snowdonia National Park has been a place for preservation efforts, with the establishment of the Snowdonia Society, a registered charity formed in 1967 dedicated to the area's protection and conservation.[8]

Bala, another town in the destination, is notable for several key historical events and figures. In the past, it was believed that the town's Tomen Y Bala, a tumulus measuring 30 feet high and 50 feet in diameter, marked the site of a Roman camp. During the 18th century, Bala was known for its manufacturing industry, producing flannel, stockings, gloves, and hosiery. Some of the landmarks in the city are Coleg y Bala, a stone-built theological college of the Calvinistic Methodists, and the grammar school, now known as Ysgol y Berwyn, which was established in 1712. Bala's historical significance extends to the establishment of the British and Foreign Bible Society in 1804, inspired by the determination of a young girl named Mary Jones, who walked 25 miles to Bala to purchase a Welsh Bible. The town also boasts connections to relatively prominent individuals such as Betsi Cadwaladr, a contemporary of Florence Nightingale; Michael D. Jones; Christopher Timothy; Owen Morgan Edwards; and T.E. Ellis. Bala has been the host of the National Eisteddfod on several occasions, and in 2016, it temporarily changed its name to Bale in honor of "Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale" during the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament.[9] 

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Bryn Elltyd ECO Guest House

Bryn Elltyd ECO Guest House is a property on the Landscape of Northwest Wales, a UNESCO-certified World Heritage Site. The slate and granite establishment is on the edge of Tanygrisiau Reservoir in Tanygrisiau, Wales. It is known as a place that strives to be eco-friendly, as it is powered by solar energy, provides three charging stations for electric vehicles, and uses LED lights in its fridges. Guests can rent three units in the main house and two additional individual rooms outside the house, which are made of wood frames, pig-sty walls, and slanted turf roofs. Bryn Elltyd ECO Guest House is also within a few kilometers of Ffestiniog Railway, Zip World Llechwedd, the Cwmorthin quarry, and Llyn Stwlan Reservoir. Furthermore, visitors can participate in climbing, hiking, biking, canoeing, caving, and kayaking nearby.

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Holyhead, Wales

The Haven Guest House

Holyhead, Wales, is home to The Haven Guest House, owned and operated by Sian and Phil Tracey. The business is open year-round, seven days a week, and offers seven accommodations. Each of the bedrooms has a private bathroom, radiator, smart TVs, and blackout curtains. Also available to visitors on the property are common areas such as the sun lounge, an outside patio with seating, and a breakfast room. The establishment offers breakfast every day from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m., which includes a continental style and a “full English breakfast,” says Sian. The Breakwater Country Park and the sea are relatively close to the guest house as well as various other attractions and the town center. The owners report that they are willing to make recommendations of places to eat and visit upon request.

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State

Wales