Take a town walk, or head down the mine!
Town Trails
I love a good walking tour. Whenever I visit a new city, it’s a great way to hear about history, architecture and captivating stories about local legends and sites. And you can see so much more by walking the streets rather than in a tour bus or car.
That’s exactly what’s on offer in seven North Wales towns this month, with local guides from the North Wales Tourist Guides Association leading entertaining and informative tours in Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Conwy, Holyhead, Llandudno, Llangollen and Menai Bridge.
All you have to do is turn up at the specified time and place, and pay your £4 (£2 for children). Check out the tour dates at www.towntrailswales.co.uk. Each walk lasts around an hour-and-a-half, with departure days and times varying.
The other thing I love about walking tours is that they often end near the local pub. What could be more fun than doing the Conwy walking tour (departs 5pm Tuesdays) winding through the narrow streets, and then enjoying a well-deserved pint in a historic coaching inn. Or how about doing the Caernarfon walking tour (departs 6.30pm Wednesdays) which promises to “delve into Caernarfon’s darker history” and then calming the nerves with a Penderyn Whisky in the town’s most haunted pub.
The North Wales Tourist Guides Association can also arrange special walking tours for groups so, if you’re traveling with a number of friends and family, give them a call: telephone 01286 678590.
Head down a mine!
If a walk about town is too tame for you, how about exploring the abandoned workings of an old slate mine? Corris Mine Explorers are able to take small groups into the dark, damp tunnels, led by an experienced guide.
This really does sound like fun, but it does look pretty heavy going as you’ll be wearing a helmet, cap lamp, lamp belt, and you’ll likely be wading through water and getting dirty! For more information and bookings, check out www.corrismineexplorers.co.uk.