We have to tell the truth… the sun does not always shine here in North Wales!
Like anywhere in the United Kingdom this beautiful corner of Wales gets its fair share of rain, so if you are coming here on holiday it is worth considering what the best things to do are on a rainy day.
All are an easy trip from Crafnant House, our B&B in Trefriw in Eryri | Snowdonia!
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Book our B&B in Eryri | Snowdonia here!
The best things to do in North Wales on a rainy day!
Visit Zip World Conwy & The Wave Garden Spa
Just three miles from our B&B - in the neighbouring village of Dolgarrog - Zip World Conwy offers you a number of indoor adventures for both adults and children!
Formerly known as Adventure Parc Snowdonia, it reopened as Zip World Conwy in March 2024, offering:
Adrenaline Indoors
Elevation Indoors
Altitude Climber
Adrenaline Drop
and a soft play area for children
As everything is inside it is the perfect place for indoor activities on a rainy day!
Relax at the Wave Garden Spa, just three miles from our B&B
If you want to relax instead with a bit of luxury why not try the Wave Garden Spa: an indoor spa offering luxurious treatment packages and products, linked to the neighbouring Hilton Garden Inn Snowdonia hotel.
The spa offers a hammam, saunas, an outdoor hydrotherapy pool, yoga studio and massage & treatment rooms - all of which will definitely help you relax and aid your wellbeing!
We have tried it ourselves, as have lots of our guests, and it really is a great place to relax and chill out if the weather is not behaving!
Go underground at Zip World Llechwedd ⮕
Blaenau Ffestiniog is an historic slate mining village on the edge of the Eryri | Snowdonia National Park, where you will find Zip World Llechwedd and their Deep Mine tour.
You will travel by cable railway 500 feet down into the mountain to experience the fascinating history of the Welsh slate mining industry.
Light projection, enhanced reality technology and explosive special effects will transport you to another time and place.
Zip World Llechwedd is located on the outskirts of Blaenau Ffestiniog, just 30 minutes from our B&B - it is the perfect adventure if it is raining!
Learn about slate mining on a deep mine tour!
See some of the best art in Wales!
North Wales has some fantastic galleries to view art - the perfect thing to do on a rainy day!
Ffin y Parc ⮕
Previously located just outside Llanrwst, near Betws-y-Coed, Ffin-y-Parc has now relocated to Llandudno on the North Wales coast.
They represent over forty artists who are diverse in their styles and subjects but share strong roots and connections in Wales.
Many of the paintings in the dining room of our B&B came from Ffin y Parc - we love it!
MOSTYN ⮕
Also in the seaside town Llandudno, MOSTYN is Wales' foremost contemporary art gallery.
Stunning modern spaces in an award-winning architectural design host some of the best international art and craft.
There is an excellent cafe and gift shop selling local artisan products too at MOSTYN.
Oriel Môn ⮕
In the town of Llangefni on Anglesey, Oriel Môn is a purpose built museum and art gallery and showcases contemporary artists and makers, including the famous Welsh artist Kyffin Williams.
Tŷ Pawb ⮕
Tŷ Pawb is an award winning multi-purpose centre in Wrexham.
The striking building serves as a venue for arts, cultural and community events.
There are two gallery spaces with rotating exhibitions, whilst the market is home to over 30 local independent businesses.
Welsh art on display at Ffin-y-Parc gallery, now in Llandudno
Explore underground caves in Southern Snowdonia
Corris Mine Explorers - in Corris not far from both Machynlleth and Dolgellau - offer guided tours of underground tunnels and caverns in an abandoned Victorian-era slate mine.
Experienced and knowledgable guides take you deep beneath the mountains of southern Snowdonia and share history and stories from when the miners used to excavate slate by both hand and using explosives!
Tours start from Corris Craft Centre which is also worth a visit, and there is a cafe on site if you are still hiding from the rain!
Enjoy a trip on a steam railway!
You are probably aware, but North Wales has lots of heritage steam railways!
So if the weather is not the best why not take a trip on one of our heritage trains where you can still enjoy the beautiful and dramatic scenery but stay dry inside!
The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways have spectacular routes from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog and from Porthmadog to Caernarfon.
Both offer relaxing, enjoyable trips through the amazing scenery of Snowdonia!
It is dog friendly so even Bryn got to enjoy it!
Visit Zip World Bounce Below and Caverns!
Bounce Below at Zip World allows you to unleash your inner-thrill seeker in an enormous underground adventure as you jump and slide your way through the disused mine at Llechwedd near Blaenau Ffestiniog!
Fun for all ages - not just children! - this underground trampoline park sees you bouncing through the disused slate mine on enormous nets.
At the same location are the Zip World Caverns. Fly, climb and criss cross your way through a unique underground course in a disused slate mine.
The adventure includes zip wires, rope bridges, nets and monkey bars - perfect for a rainy day!
And in 2022 they introduced a brand new activity at the same location - underground golf!
Enjoy a pub lunch in a traditional Welsh inn!
There is no shortage of excellent pubs in Eryri | Snowdonia and North Wales so dodge the rain showers and seek out a traditional inn for lunch.
See the best places to eat in North Wales ⮕
If you don’t want to travel far then The Old Ship pub in Trefriw is right next door to our B&B!
The cosy interior is the perfect place to enjoy tasty Welsh cuisine.
Local real ales and homemade dishes such as slow roasted Welsh lamb will help you forget about the weather!
In Llandudno on the coast, The Cottage Loaf is one of the best options in the centre of the seaside town for lunch.
It is a traditional country-style pub with open fires, cask and craft beers and hearty homemade food.
Conwy has a number of good pubs but our favourite is The Albion Ale House - an unspoilt pub that offers an amazing choice of local cask ales.
Food options are usually simple like Edwards of Conwy pork pies to go with your pint of real ale - what could be more perfect?!
In the heart of Eryri | Snowdonia national park near Pen-y-Pass car park, The Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel has a public bar full of character and is famous for hosting Edmund Hillary prior to him climbing Everest!
So whilst you tuck into one of their pies or quiches for lunch you can soak up the history.
Have an underground adventure with Go Below ⮕
How about an ‘outdoor’ adventure activity where you are safely sheltered from the weather?!
At Go Below you can avoid the rain completely and choose one of three underground adventures that vary in durations and levels of difficulty.
Encounter forgotten deep blue lakes, lofty caverns and ancient mining machinery lying abandoned in the darkness.
Cross zip lines and traverses, climb rock faces and waterfalls, boat across water and abseil off ledges for a thrilling adrenaline rush!
Adventures start from one of two bases - at Conwy Falls (just south of Betws-y-Coed) or Tanygrisiau (near Blaenau Ffestiniog).
It is without doubt one of the best value and thrilling adventure activities in North Wales - we and our guests love it!
Learn about Welsh gin and whisky at a distillery
We now have two distilleries in North Wales producing whiskies and gins, and both can be visited on a rainy day!
Aber Falls Distillery ⮕
This was the first gin and whisky distillery to reopen in North Wales, located near the spectacular waterfall of the same name at Abergwyngreyn on the coast.
Their Orange Marmalade gin is one of our favourites whilst their Rhubarb and Ginger gin is excellent with ginger ale instead of tonic!
Their first Welsh whisky was released in 2021.
The distillery offers guided tours and tastings, and there is a shop, cafe and visitor centre for the perfect place to pick up a tasty souvenir!
Aber Falls distillery is well worth a visit!
Penderyn Distillery ⮕
This distillery opened in 2021 and is in a beautifully converted school in the centre of Llandudno - the modern extension is stunning!
Hour long tours see you learn about the founding of Penderyn, the new distillery building, how their award-winning whisky is made and what makes it so unique!
We did the tour ourselves and it was fascinating, plus you get to sample their delicious tipples!!!
Bryn in front of the striking Penderyn Distillery in Llandudno
Whiskies and gins from both are served in the The Old Ship pub next door to our B&B in Trefriw!
Discover Welsh history at the National Slate Museum in Llanberis ⮕
Located in the village of Llanberis in the heart of Eryri | Snowdonia, the National Slate Museum is part of the National Museum of Wales.
It brings to life the story of the industry that once 'roofed the world'.
The story of the Welsh slate industry is vividly created, and is set in the original quarry workshops on at the edge of Llyn Padarn.
Many of the exhibitions and exhibits are under cover - perfect for a wet day!
The museum lets you discover how people lived and worked in the slate quarrying communities of Wales in the past:
“‘…it is as though the quarrymen and engineers put down their tools and left the courtyard for home just hours ago...’”
Escape the rain in a great cafe!
North Wales has some great places to eat, so if it is a rainy day seek out one of these great cafes near us, or maybe combine them with one of the other attractions or activities!
Alpine Coffee Shop ⮕
Located in the station buildings in the village centre, this is the best cafe by far in Betws-y-Coed with great coffee and cakes, good vegan and vegetarian options.
It can get VERY busy in the summer but is always worth the wait!
L's Coffee & Books ⮕
On the High Street in the walled town of Conwy, L’s is a justifiably popular cosy and friendly cafe.
They serve delicious cakes and coffee plus a great choice of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free lunches!
Providero ⮕
Laid back modern cafe in the seaside resort of Llandudno serving superb coffee from Heartland Coffi (who provide ours for breakfast!) and light lunches as well as tasty cakes.
Dudley & Georges ⮕
Just off the seafront in Llandudno this ‘general store’ is a lovely place for a browse - especially if you have a dog! - but also does great food.
The welcome is really friendly, the coffee is great (they use the freshest North Wales milk) and the vegan toasties are superb!
The Old Tannery / Yr Hen Danerdy ⮕
Located in the picturesque town of Llanrwst, not far from Betws-y-Coed, this great cafe offers super friendly service and lovely food.
It is dog friendly, and - if it is not raining! - the outside balcony offers stunning views across the Conwy Valley towards Gwydir Forest.
Caffi Gwynant ⮕
Housed in a former chapel near Beddgelert at the start of the Watkin walking path up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) this cafe serves creative food and excellent cakes.
Many of the chapel’s original features are still in situ which makes for a lovely atmosphere.
Lots of great cafes and coffee shops in North Wales!
Visit a historic stately home or castle!
We are not short of fascinating castles and stately homes to visit on a damp day! Here are a few of our suggestions:
Gwydir Castle ⮕
Located between Trefriw and Betws-y-Coed, Gwydir Castle is regarded as one of the finest Tudor houses in Wales.
The castle was formerly the ancestral home of the powerful Wynn family.
By 1994 the house and garden had fallen into dereliction, and its restoration has taken over twenty years to complete and is still a work-in-progress by the current owners.
You can read their story in their book Castles in the Air. Deeply evocative and atmospheric inside, it is a unique experience in country house visiting.
Aberconwy House ⮕
This impressive building in Conwy is a 14th century merchant’s house and the only one its type to have survived the town’s turbulent history since then.
Plas Mawr ⮕
Also in Conwy, this is one of the finest Elizabethan town houses still intact in the UK today - it has served several purposes since it was built including a courthouse, school and art gallery.
You can easily spend a few hours on a rainy day exploring this fascinating building!
Penrhyn Castle ⮕
This National Trust stately home near Bangor was built in the 19th century as fantasy castle on industrial and colonial profits.
The unique architecture, opulent interiors and fine art collection sit alongside a history of sugar and slate fortunes, of social unrest and the longest-running industrial dispute in British history.
Plas Newydd ⮕
This enchanting mansion sits on the south shore of the Menai Strait with spectacular views of Eryri | Snowdonia, and is also run by the National Trust.
It was redesigned by James Wyatt in the 18th century and 1930s interior is famous for its Rex Whistler association, containing the largest exhibition of his works.
You may even see a rare red squirrel in the nearby woodlands!
Gwyrch Castle ⮕
This 19th century castle near Abergele recently found renewed fame as the location for the 2020 UK version of 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!'
It is now a Grade I listed country house, recognised for being one of the first attempts at replicating true medieval architecture in Europe.
It stands in 250 acres of gardens and grounds and has extensive views over former parkland including a deer park and the Irish Sea.
Erddig ⮕
This National Trust hall and gardens is near Wrexham and features a late 17th-century country house saved from dereliction in the 1970s.
Inside Erddig tells the 250-year story of a gentry family’s relationship with its servants, and outside is a 1,200 acre estate which you can explore and enjoy.
Looking for a great place to stay in North Wales?
Crafnant House is our B&B in the village of Trefriw, Eryri | Snowdonia.
Are you planning you holiday in North Wales in 2024 and thinking about climbing Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)?
At 3560 ft (1,085 m) high it is a justifiably popular outdoor activity and can be both a real adventure and an exhilarating day out with breathtaking views, especially if you get a ‘cloud-free’ summit!
We get lots of guests staying at our accommodation - Crafnant House, our B&B in the village of Trefriw - who come to climb ‘Yr Wyddfa’ (the Welsh name for it) - the highest mountain in Wales and England.
As experienced walkers we’ve hopefully included everything you need to know about the the different paths up and down and our honest opinions on the best and most scenic routes!