What to do in Gwynedd

It is the peaks of Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon itself that draw the crowds, helped by the easy ascent offered by an obliging train. Around 600,000 people walk, climb or take the train to the 1085m summit each year to take in the splendid views and clear those cobwebs once and for all. Despite the crowds, Yr Wyddfa is the highest mountain in Wales and needs to be treated seriously! Many are caught out by not preparing for the difficulty and the elements in this remote part of the world. The ascent of Snowdon may seem more like a beano than a serious walker’s solitary struggle against the elements, but that is all part of its allure and charm.

Caught between the rugged mountains of the Snowdonia National Park on one side, and the mouth of the river, this long stretch of sand offers the perfect location for family picnics, long contemplative walks or a variety of watersports. Even Wordsworth sung the beaches praises: "With a fine sea view in front, the mountains behind, the glorious estuary running eight miles inland, and Cadair Idris within compass of a day's walk, Barmouth can always hold its own against any rival,’ the poet wrote.

There are six main routes to the summit and the Snowdon Sherpa Bus runs a shuttle service around the base of the mountain. This shuttle connects both the starting points of the six routes and the villages that surround Snowdon, making it easy to explore the area and find the route that suits you best.

It dominates the skyline thanks to a dynamic building style that emphasises sheer scale above all else. Important enough to have been officially designated a World Heritage Site, the castle makes use of large polygonal towers, rather than the standard round construction, and colour-coded bands of stone to create a truly imposing edifice.

The castle was built in the late 13th Century during the reign of Edward I and boasts double walls around its perimeter, four large towers and a robust gatehouse. These fortifications later played a crucial role during numerous blockades. Most famously, in a siege immortalised in the famous Welsh anthem "Men of Harlech", the castle was held for seven years by the Lancastrians in the War of the Roses. It was also the last remaining stronghold of the Royalists during the English Civil War.

Results of the 2014 National Student Survey ranked Bangor as the number one university in Wales for overall student satisfaction and quality of teaching. The A-Z of Universities and Higher Education Colleges has also named it as “one of the cheapest places in Britain” to be a student and cost of living surveys consistently rank it as one of the most economical places to study in the UK.