Gwynedd | Days out with Kids

rhyn’s 45 acres of grounds include parkland, wooded walks and a Victorian walled garden with many exotic trees and shrubs. The gardens offer stunning views of Snowdonia and the Menai Strait. The stable block, houses two railway museums, doll museum, two exhibition galleries and shop.

Portmeirion was built from 1925 to 1976 by visionary Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, who wanted to prove that development need not mean defilement. All the cottages in the village are let as rooms and suites as part of the Hotel Portmeirion or as self-catering cottages sleeping up to 8 people. The village has several cafes and eight different shops.

Many know Portmeirion as the location for Patrick McGoohan's classic "The Prisoner" television series. It is also known for the Portmeirion Pottery, designed by Clough's daughter Susan Williams-Ellis. A new contemporary styled brasserie opened at Castell Deudraeth in 2001.

Portmeirion is signposted from the A487 at Minffordd midway between Penrhyndeudraeth and Porthmadog.

Web: www.portmeirion-village.com

The Miners’ Tramway Tour
Ride into a network of spectacular man-made chambers. This is a guided tour and at various points you will alight to learn of the skills needed to extract slate – and to experience for yourself the sights and sounds of late nineteenth century mining conditions.

The Deep Mine Tour
Descend into the Deep Mine and be guided on foot via ten ‘sound and light’ sequences. Experience the unforgettable beauty of the underground lake - as the story of the slate miner’s life unfolds.

On the surface, many other attractions complete an enjoyable day out.

If it’s culture, history or entertainment you’re after, Keith Prowse Tickets has ideas for every family.

With attractions including ‘Hop On Hop Off’ bus tours of the capital, Theme Parks like Thorpe Park or explorations of UNESCO world heritage sites and not forgetting tickets to the hottest family shows in the West End – the opportunities available on Keith Prowse Tickets are simply endless!

With new products uploaded on a regular basis, you and your family are guaranteed access to the latest and greatest family activities around. So how about the spanking new Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour? It’s bound to thrill and engage Potter fans of all ages.

No more trawling the Internet in search of inspiration… Keith Prowse will provide your family a low-cost, original and fulfilling day to remember.

Sign the whole family up for some high-energy fun at the Fire Academy and enjoy the acrobatic entertainers at the pirate themed Stunt Show. Everyone will be fascinated by the incredible LEGO® models throughout the park. From comical camels to world landmarks and a yellow submarine, it’s amazing what can be built with millions of LEGO bricks!

With over 55 interactive rides and attractions, there’s just too much to experience in one day!

The National Cycle Network is 5000 miles of safe, signed, attractive cycle routes, open and mapped in June 2000. It is made up of traffic-free sections and traffic-calmed road and minor roads, running right through urban centres and reaching all parts of the UK.

Sustrans is the charity co-ordinating the project and will continue to work with local authorities to expand the Network to a target of 10,000 miles by 2005.

For more information on the National Cycle Network and Sustrans and a copy of their free catalogue of maps, information sheets and technical publications please call the number above or visit their website.

E-Mail: info@nationalcyclenetwork.org.uk

Have you got what it takes to be a suave international jewel thief? Could you make it as a top secret agent?

Head down to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! London and put your sneaky side to the test in the new Impossible Laser Race – the capital’s best new interactive attraction.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London is the largest Ripley’s Believe It or Not!® attraction in the world and showcases a place of wonders right in the heart of the Capitals West End.

With everything you can imagine (and plenty more you can’t), Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London is a family day out that’s definitely out of the ordinary.

Web: www.ukclimbing.com/databases/listings/clubs.html

Theme Parks: Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington WoA, LEGOLAND Windsor, Disneyland Resort Paris, Port Aventura, Disney World Resort, Florida, Orlando FlexTickets - and much more.
Heritage Sites: HM Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, Warwick Castle, Hampton Court, Windsor Castle, Warwick Castle, Tower Bridge Exhibition.
Visitor Attractions: London Eye, The Dungeons, Madame Tussauds, Original London Sightseeing Tour, The Big Bus Company, Jorvik Viking Centre, Ripley's Beleive it or Not!
Natural World: London Zoo, London Aquarium, 10 UK SEA LIFE Centres, Whipsnade Zoo
River Sightseeing: London Ducktours, City Cruises, Thames Clippers, Flying Fish Jet Boat Tours
Eating Out: Hard Rock Café VIP Meal, Medieval Banquet, Bateaux London

Plus much more!

Web: www.fhc.co.uk/electric_mountain.htm