The Christmas season is upon us and that means Christmas in North Wales and SF parks! Christmas in North Wales is a magical time of year to enjoy the quaint towns, beautiful scenery, and festive activities. To make sure you get the most out of your Christmas in North Wales we have compiled a list of a few things to do for Christmas in North Wales.
What are some fun things to do around Christmas time in North Wales?
There are a lot of Christmas events going on in North Wales during Christmas time! Christmas markets, Christmas parties with friends and family, Christmas shopping for presents, roast Christmas dinners, Christmas movies–the list goes on. Make sure you plan ahead so that you can take advantage of every fun Christmas event happening in North Wales this year.
How to Plan Your Time in North Wales for Christmas
You should think about the amount of time you have there and when exactly you will be there so that you can make a plan of what you would like to do while there. The first thing I like to do is decide if we will be going to multiple events each day or if we will only go to one event. Basically, decide how filled our days will be, and then once you know this you can start to fill in your days with fun activities for the whole family.
What are good Christmas traditions?
Some Christmas traditions are hanging Christmas stockings, setting up Christmas trees, decorating the house, exchanging gifts with family members or friends, singing Christmas carols, or visiting Christmas markets.
Christmas is about spending time with family more so than the actual activities that you want to do. It can be a relaxing evening at home with family hanging decorations, enjoying hot cocoa around the fire or you can spend the evening out at a local Christmas festival. We spend the holiday at the year round caravan park, so we enjoy the festivities the park has on offer each year. It is all up to you though, whatever you and your family enjoy!
What are some Christmas traditions in North Wales for Christmas?
The Christmas festivities are an important part of Christmas in North Wales. There are many Christmas events happening to celebrate the holidays–you should definitely try to take part in them!
5 Things to Do For Christmas in North Wales
This list is in no particular order, but they all have several things to do while at each location so get ready to have a blast.
Welsh Highland Santa Trains
From December 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th & 23rd
The Welsh Highland Railways are hosting a slew of Christmas activities this year. If you like the look of Santa sitting on a train, you will love this activity. You can even meet Santa while visiting the Christmas Carriage at Porthmadog Harbour Station or even catch a ride with him on the Welsh Highland Railway!
To make the most of this enjoyable festive treat, hop aboard one of Santa’s trains running through December. Your kids will adore it. Your adventure will start in Caernarfon before taking in the wonders of Snowdonia National Park where the views will be spectacular.
Christmas at Bodnant Gardens
Open throughout the season apart from Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Take a stroll around the beautiful Bodnant Gardens this season for the Winter Wander Trail, where you may enjoy some entertaining winter activities. You will be tasked to help Percy and his crew while you’ll encounter a world of adventure.
The Elves return to Bodnant Gardens to set up their festive Christmas workshop where you get to help them work on their projects and afterward you can enjoy toasting marshmallows and spending time with your family while exploring the rest of the gardens.
After the trip, refuel with some amazing food while at the Magnolia Tearoom. Every day in December, Bodnant Gardens is offering a Festive Afternoon Tea (excluding December 24-26). You will have to go check out the beautiful Bodnant Gardens this Christmas to enjoy it.
Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland
22nd November 2022 – 8th January 2023
Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland will return for Christmas 2022 and is bigger and better than ever!
This year, the ice walk and ice rink will take place on the grounds of Cardiff Castle, and there will be lots of food and drink to enjoy. Find out more here.
Drive-Through Reindeer Safari
November 19th through December 24th
At the Reindeer Lodge, you may relive an adventure where you will experience reindeer. This enchanting reindeer experience is fun for the entire family. From the drive-in theatre to the wood walkway paths to the beautifully lit lakeside, there is a ton of great things to experience while there. You can even meet Mr. Christmas himself in an elf village that’s hidden away!
Spend the day traveling around the exquisite scenery and experiencing Christmas traditions at home, where you can enjoy delicious seasonal cuisine and beverages as you stroll through the Christmas stands. Starting near the end of November, you can experience this starting at just £35 per vehicle. Find out more here.
In Conclusion
Christmas in North Wales is a time of year where Christmas markets, Christmas parties with friends and family, Christmas shopping for presents, Christmas dinners, Christmas movies—the list goes on.
Make sure you plan ahead so that you can take advantage of every fun Christmas event happening in North Wales this year. Whether it’s the Santa trains at Welsh Highland Railway or Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland; there are plenty of festive activities to choose from!
If all these things sound like too much work and planning- we have some good news: our team has done the hard work for you by creating an itinerary full of events guaranteed to make your trip immersive and enjoyable.
Wales is a beautiful country to visit, and it has so much to see. But one of the best parts about Wales is when you’re immersed in nature there. So today we’re going to be discussing some great walks you can take in North Wales in order to fully enjoy the benefits of being in this naturally stunning country.
Snowdon via Llanberis Path
This trail is considered quite challenging, so be prepared for a tough and yet rewarding journey. It is a 15km long trail out-and-back, typically takes about 6 hours to complete, and you will gain 980m (3,215ft) of elevation.
It’s open all-year around, allows dogs, and you can either hike, backpack, or take your mountain bike up the trail.
This is a great trail with fantastic views but has some steep spots and the halfway house includes no toilets so keep that in mind. This is not for the faint of heart or the average day-walker. Be prepared for the rocky terrain, lack of services and intense elevation.
Snowdon via Miner’s Track and Pyg Circular
Unlike the previous trail, this one is a loop trail and will take about 5 hours on average to complete. It’s about 5.5km long and is also quite challenging trail to take on, so be aware of its difficulty. Additionally, the elevation gain is quite large, 789m (2,588ft) on this walk as well.
Hiking or walking up this challenging trail will be well worth it once you’re at the top, the views from so high are unparalleled. But exercise caution when you get to the Bwlch Glas section of the trail, it’s the trickiest part.
Many of the people who have hiked the trail agree on the fact that you should go up the Pyg trail and down the Miner’s trail. They also agree that the views are stunning throughout the entire thing.
Snowdon via Watkin Path and Rhyd Ddu Path
This is one of the longer hikes that we’ll mention today, and also one of the most challenging. It’s a loop trail that should take about 6 hours and 30 minutes to complete, or in distance travelled, it’s about 8.3 miles long.
Campers, hikers, and bird watchers all find this trail to be one of their favourites, so it draws a variety of people. And it is open at all times of the year, furthermore you can bring your dog along to this trail just bring a leash.
The reviews all agree that although this trail is challenging, the result is worth it. And if you have any hiking experience, you’ll probably enjoy this path.
Llyn Idwal Circular
More suited to beginner hikers than some of the previous options, this moderately difficult trail should take 2 hours or less to complete. It’s a loop trail that ends up being about 3 miles and will raise your elevation about 254m (833ft) at its peak. This site is world famous for its rock formations and its rare and fragile plant life so there will be plenty to photograph along the way.
Birding, fishing, and hiking are the main draws for this trail. Dogs are welcome but may fun the steep terrain difficult in some places. They’re allowed off lead in some areas though, which is a perk.
Pen-y-Pass and Yr Wyddfa Circular
Our final trail suggestion will be a 12km loop trail with an elevation gain of 805m (2,641ft). The whole trail will take about 5 hours to complete and is generally regarded as a challenging trail to hike.
Birding, camping, and hiking are all acceptable on this trail; dogs on leads are as well. April through September are the best months to hike this trail if you do want to try the challenge as other times might get squelchy and wet.
This trail can get cold and windy with a real possibility of rain so pack accordingly. Loose rock is common so make sure to wear proper footwear and watch your footing.
Hopefully you have enjoyed these brief descriptions of what we believe to be the best river hiking trails available in Northern Wales and are ready to get packed up and ready to hit the trails this summer. With the breath taking views and different skill levels, North Wales – and Snowdonia – have something for everyone to enjoy.
Wales is speedily becoming known as one of the UK’s main locations for adventure. With its 870 miles of Welsh coastline and its 3 National parks, there is no shortage of fun. This ensures that Wales is the absolute playground for you lot known as adrenaline junkies.
Natural Resources Wales have over 550 km of trails for mountain biking, 75 picnic areas and 5 visitor centres, not forgetting the National Nature Reserves in some of the most spectacular areas of the Welsh countryside. It’s also going to be a very busy year for caravan parks on the North Wales coast.
If you are an adrenaline junkie, here are our picks of some of the many adventurous activities you can participate in around North Wales.
Bounce Below at Blaenau, Ffestiniog
This is a child-friendly adventure, bouncing on trampolines underground, whilst taking in a light show in this disused slate quarry. One of the most popular things to do in North Wales and what an adventure for the thrill-seeking family.
Zip Below Xtreme, Conwy
Would you dare to ride the Goliath, at 5 km underground? this 130-metre zip wire has an exhilarating 70 feet free fall into the darkness below. It is known as the UK’s most petrifying assault course.
Tree-top Adventure, Conwy
If you fancy yourself as a Tarzan, this is the adventure for you. Tackle the high ropes course if you dare! Take the Sky Ride, jump from the highest point of the tree top tower or swing from tree to tree. Tree Top Adventure is guaranteed to give you hours of scares and laughs.
Velocity 2 at Zip World Penrhyn Quarry
Soar over Penrhyn Quarry on the fastest zip line in the world with this heart-stopping ride that will leave you screaming for more. With speeds of possibly over 100 mph you could catch the views of Snowdonia – if your eyes are open!
Mountain Biking at Coed y Brenin Forest Park
The first and largest purpose-built mountain biking centre in the UK, offering graded trails, mountain bike hire and an area to test out your skills. The trails are suitable for both inexperienced riders to seasoned adventure riders.
Stay Safe
To ensure that you have a thrilling and safe adventure in North Wales, always ensure that you have prepared and planned for your escapade.
- Book with an approved provider
- Always check the weather forecast before you set out
- Ensure that you have the required and necessary equipment
Caravan Parks North Wales Coast Adventures
The location of Whitehouse Leisure Park is perfect for many of these suggested adventure activities. However, should you require a more relaxing, quieter break in your holiday home, you are never very far from several stunning beaches or beautiful national parkland for a pleasant walk.
Newer caravan owners might not have figured out all the tips and tricks for keeping their caravan as cool as possible or maybe you’re a veteran caravan owner who is feeling the heat this year. Either way, we’ve compiled some things we think will help you keep as cool as possible this summer while on holiday in your static caravan.
Cooling Down Your Static Caravan
It seems obvious but having a fan inside your caravan is a must for most owners. However, using it to its fullest potential isn’t always as clear. Aiming fans towards yourself feels like the most refreshing option in the moment but it doesn’t cool down the room. Remember, fans cool people, not the air, so for the best approach, aim them out the window and push the hot air outdoors instead. When possible, create a cross breeze with two fans or with an open window and your fan.
Blackout or thermal curtains can really make a difference to the internal temperature of your caravan. Yes, it will be dark inside, but it’ll also be much cooler! If there is opposition to blackout curtains, regular curtains which are room darkening can also assist in keeping the rising morning temperatures from reaching you as quickly. Remember to close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces as cool as possible for longer and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors.
In living areas or bedrooms, you can cool down a whole room by hanging a wet sheet in front of an open window. The subsequent breeze will quickly cool down the room making it easier to relax – or sleep.
Light bulbs (even environmentally friendly bulbs) give off heat so turn them off, so they have less chance of creating warmth. Fortunately, in summer it stays light until much later which allows us to take advantage of natural light.
Electronics around your caravan also create heat which dissipates into the air. Those electronics such as laptops, phones, TVs, and appliances need to stay cool, just like you, so they release heat into the surrounding air warming it up. Turning these electronics off is a good step but unplugging them is ideal.
Keeping it Cool in the Kitchen
The kitchen is an obvious place your static caravan can create heat quickly. Turning on the stove or hob to cook is instantly going to make you – and the caravan – hotter. Avoid cooking at the stove if you can. Summer is a great time to experiment with fresh produce, fun sandwiches, and interesting salads.
If you really want to cook something hot, how about firing up the grill outside instead? It’s a great way to cook without heating things up inside the caravan.
Be sure to turn off kitchen appliances that generate heat when they are not needed.
Is there something you can make the kitchen that can make you feel cooler right now? Of course!
Having ice lollies and ice cream on hand are a winner with lots of folks, especially the little ones. Eating something frozen will bring your internal temperature down rapidly and make you cooler from the inside out.
It seems backward but the opposite is also true – eating and drinking hot foods will also result in your feeling more cooled down. For instance, when you have a cup of your favourite brew, the initial rise in body temperature will make you start to sweat, which then evaporates and cools you down. And, as we discussed before, sweating cools you down when the sweat cools down. However, this trick only works on a relatively dry day; if it’s a humid day (where the air is already full of moisture), less of your sweat will evaporate, rendering the whole thing a bit pointless. Try this with spicy foods too! The kick in that curry really IS useful!
Staying Cool in the Bedroom
It’s so difficult for most people to fall asleep at night when its too hot. Fortunately, the UK doesn’t have many of those nights per year but when we do, we need quick solutions on hand to cool us down.
Wearing the right thing to bed is a good start with trying to stay cool. Fabrics created specifically for sweat wicking are the ideal clothes to fall into bed wearing but cotton is a close second. We sweat a lot when we sleep and just don’t realize it much. Having sleepwear on pulls this sweat away from our skin and into the clothes where it dries and evaporates. Some people swear by sleeping in, well, nothing, and that works too.
Newer technology has allowed such things as cooling pillows and sheets to make us more comfortable when it’s time to go to sleep. Invest in these things once and reap the cooling benefits for years.
Use your fridge freezer at bedtime. As much as you’d like to get inside it, we don’t think you’ll fit – but you can put your PJ’s, bedsheets, or socks inside. Just put them in a bag first, unless you want them to come out smelling like potatoes and give you nightmares of being chased by chips.
You may also consider investing a few quid in soft gel or bead ice packs to put underneath your sheets or even wrapped in a tea towel and placed anywhere you feel toastiest. You’ll be falling asleep feeling great in no time.
As hard as it may be, keep the pets out of your bed. This one can be a challenge if you’ve got cuddly critters waiting to snuggle up with their big, hot bodies. If you can resist their puppy-dog eyes, have them sleep in their own beds (or at least at the bottom of yours).
Ditch your duvet in favour of a sheet. The age-old dilemma: sleep on top of your duvet to catch the full effect of the fan and avoid extra layers, or sleep under your duvet to avoid the monsters? A solution that solved both problems and keeps you cool at the same time – get rid of your duvet and just sleep under the duvet cover or a sheet instead!
Soak a towel, t-shirt or sheet in cold water. running cold water over a sheet, wring it out and get underneath it at night. It’ll help to cool you down, and as it should be dry by the morning, you can quite literally rinse and repeat.
You can adapt the above tip for use during the daytime, too – just take an old t-shirt that you aren’t worried about ruining the shape of and run it under cold water, wring it out to get rid of the excess water, and then either drape it over your shoulders or wear it as normal.
Another pretty obvious choice for cooling off before bed is to take a cool shower before going to sleep. Some people like it to be icy cold while others would rather have it a bit warmer. Going to bed with your hair damp may be a plus as well.
Swap your large fluffy pillow for a smaller firm one as we lose heat from our head and the fluggy pillow traps all that heat around us.
Cool down your “hot zones” – applying a little ice pack or a bottle filled with iced water to your pressure points will help you cool down immediately. Your wrists (the underside, where you can see the veins), neck, elbows and joint creases are a great place to start, as are your temples (the sides of your head, about halfway between the corners of your eye and your ears) and forehead. Soaking your feet in some ice-cold water will also help cool you down.
Do you have any other tips for helping to keep cool in summer? Let us know and we’ll include it in a future article.
We currently live in an age of technology where information is at our fingertips. The majority of static holiday home owners possess a smartphone – and maybe a tablet too. Smartphone apps for static caravan owners are numerous and incredibly useful. If you don’t already have a smartphone, apps like these may be just the nudge you need to persuede you to get one.
You probably have apps on your phone already. Maybe you shop online with an app, play games or keep up with social media accounts.
Here are 8 useful smartphone apps for static caravan owners that we feel you’ll love:
AroundMe – this is a very useful app you can use all the time, not just when you are on holiday. If you’re visiting your holiday home and need to find the location of your nearest hospital, restaurant, cinema, petrol station or cash machine then this app will provide all the information you need. Enter the location you wish to find and the app will present you with the nearest locations. When entering locations such as restaurants or cinemas, the app will give you many options and will also tell you how many miles they are from your current location.
Spirit Level – There are many spirit level apps for both ios and android phones. Fortunately, these are one of those apps that you could use at home or away. With its “bubble level” you can guarantee that any projects you tackle while doing DIY tasks around your caravan will be spot on!
Weather – there are many weather forecast Apps, but 2 of the best are BBC Weather and UK Weather Forecast. Enter your postcode for the Caravan Park and not only will it give you detailed weather information for today, but also for the week ahead, so you can make plans for outings and activities.
First Aid –this app is provided by the British Red Cross and is invaluable in case of an emergency; it provides simple advice and step by step instructions for minor wounds, illnesses and accidents. You can also test your skills and earn achievement badges to be shared online.
Antenna Aligner – a very handy app for the installation and alignment of your Freeview aerial. This app costs £2.49 at this time but there are other apps that work similarly as well.
National Trust – Days Out – find the nearest National Trust property when you are looking for day-trip ideas. Explore hundreds of places with details of events throughout the year. See what’s on, opening and closing times, and easily share your favourite places with friends and family. Requires no internet connection to perform most functionality and you can even keep a list of things you’d like to see.
Skype – Keep in touch with friends and family while on your static caravan holiday with voice or video calling back home.
Medisafe Pill Reminder – There are a lot of medication reminder apps for your phone that are handy for home and away but Medisafe is my favourite. This award winning reminder app will also keep track of appointments and refills. Ranked #1 by chemists out of nearly 500 apps tested.
AA App – Quickly report a breakdown, find the nearest petrol station, use the easy trip planner and when your car’s MOT, service and road tax are due.
Both the Apple and Google Android Stores have hundreds of news, entertainment, games and other apps that can keep you and the children occupied through long car journeys and on rainy days. The majority of these apps are also free, which is an added bonus.
Book lovers can download the Kindle App, rather than carrying your novels around with you, and if you subscribe to Sky television at home, download the SkyGo App on your tablet and watch your favourite channels while at your holiday home.
Whitehouse Leisure Park has a comprehensive range of both Used and New caravans for sale in North Wales. Why not use your smartphone or tablet to access our website and view some of these? You can find our stock details here.
You know that favourite place in your town that you happened upon unexpectedly but now visit so often they know your name? Or the place you take friends to when they visit because you know it’ll be perfect every time? Somewhere they serve delicious food with excellent service. Whether you’re looking for a sandwich, a cream tea or a cake, we’ve compiled a few of North Wales’ best cafés to suit everyone.
Itaca is a full-service café on one side and internet café on the other side so if patrons want to send a few emails or check up on social media this is an excellent place to do so. Itaca is a community action project which works alongside the Trussell Trust to provide services aimed at disenfranchised youth. While the outside of the building doesn’t look like they’re going to have the best coffee in town, visitors are in for a real treat. Locally sourced coffee served inside is top notch by any expectation and the food is exceptional.
L’s Coffee & Books, with locations in both Conwy and Llandudno Junction is a small, locally owned café that brings the spirit of Wales alive. The Conwy location has a bookstore inside so users can relax and open a book while they sip L’s locally famous bespoke coffee or one of their many teas. Also available are smoothies, a variety of cakes to choose from and a light lunch menu. Both child and dog friendly so bring the entire family! Outdoor seating is available if drinking coffee under the sun is best. The Llandudno location is proud to offer their special artisan coffee as well as pastries, sandwiches, and all-day breakfast. While their specialty crafted coffee is what they’re known for, they also have juices and smoothies to round out the menu.
Undeniably the best scones in Llandudno come from Café Indulgence, where unexpected flavour combinations will treat your palate for a great price. Alongside blueberry, lemon, and sultana you’ll find their unbeatable rhubarb and ginger scones which are talked about by visitors and locals alike. If scones aren’t what you’re craving, the menu also features fish & chips, jacket potatoes, sandwiches, paninis, soups, and salads. Of course, there is also a selection of teas, coffees, hot chocolate, milkshakes, juice, and fizzy drinks. This 4.5 star rated café is known for its fantastic vegan options and gluten free fare. Always dog friendly with outdoor seating. Call ahead for the ultra-friendly staff to make a big batch of scones to take home with you! They’re happy to accommodate any orders.
2 The Square is a small café for a light bite while visiting Lancaster Square in the Conwy town centre. Put your shopping bags down while you have a toastie or a scone at this café nestled just a couple minutes from the estuary front. With many vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and kid-friendly options to choose from, there is something for everyone here. Have a cream tea or a freshly squeezed juice aside a freshly baked cake. Have a coffee or brew ‘to-go’ on the way out to enjoy your day.
With a specialty on the sweet stuff, Take a Break café in Llandudno offers patrons a wide range of delicious cakes and brownies as well as mouth-watering cupcakes and scones. Take a Break café is locally recognised for their freshly prepared food, especially the Welsh rarebit. Friendly staff are happy to take your order for a full English, paninis, soups, baps, and sandwiches. Of course, these are all served with a side of various teas, coffee, lattes, and cappuccino.
What is your favourite café? Let us know and we’ll be sure to include it in another post about the wonderful North Wales.