plr

I'll be in Wales for a week of visiting many of the major castle ruins in the north and south--all of which I consider "must-see." But I am now feeling ambivalent about Harlech Castle, and wondering if I should sacrifice a half-day visit there for one of the intriguing narrow gauge train trips.---Don't have time for both.
Would love opinions about this decision.

scotlib

I hope you do see replies from people who've visited.

Just in general, doing too much of the same thing can .. potentially .. lead to feelings of "same-old-same-old." I've had this happen to me.

However, if you should personally have strong reasons for repeating something, I think it should erase the problem of "same-old" and bring on the next castle

plr

Very good point, Scotlib. Just wondered what the consensus would be about skipping this particular castle in favor of one of the train trips.

Songdoc

Can't help you because government workers were on strike and we couldn't get inside Harlech Castle. AGGHH! But the setting and views were beautiful ;-)

Caernarfon Castle was fantastic. N. Wales is absolutely gorgeous.

egnolive

We went to Wales last year, spending a week in Northern Wales.

We love old ruins, especially castles, but after exploring Conwy, Caernafon, Beaumaris, Cricceth and Dolwyddelan in a week, we were a little burned out on castles by the time we got to Harlech. Don't know how much time you intend to spend at the castles, but my husband likes to explore every facet, read every exhibit and then spend time imagining there.

We went to Harlech, fully intending to see inside, but decided against it and just admired it and the views from the outside. Its in a cute little town, high on a hill, but other than the castle and a golf course, not lots else to do there IMHO.

Don't know about the train, though, as we never did that. Saw one at the top of Snowdon - it looked like fun.

But if you are like us, it might be fun to change up the trip a bit and take the train.

Dukey1

"wondering if I should sacrifice"

Use of the word "sacrifice" makes me think you really don't want to do this which is too bad

plr

<Don't know how much time you intend to spend at the castles, but my husband likes to explore every facet, read every exhibit and then spend time imagining there.>

egnolive, that describes me to a "T." The entire focus of this particular trip for me is to visit castle ruins. I've chosen 11 for this one-week trip--a half-day at each one, and it now seems like I'll be pushed. Having to narrow down my itinerary a little, and also thought I'd like to fit in one of those great sounding train trips in the NW, so wondered if Harlech would be a likely castle I could "pass up." (When I visited Scotland, I think I explored about the same number of castles and never tired of it, but I had 2 weeks there!).

irishface

I too am a castle nut and visited heaps in northern Wales. while staying in Conwy, I did the narrow gauge and Harlech in a day. I took the train to Blenau Festiniog and down to Portmerion where I caught a coastal route train to Harlech and went up to the castle. On the way back I stopped in Blenau Festiniog and visited the slate mine there. (Caught the last tour of the day.) and then back to Conwy.

So maybe you can "hae your cake and eat it too," as my father says.

bellini

try this:
" Experience the beautiful scenery of Snowdonia as the Welsh Highland Railway opens its latest stretch of line between Beddgelert and the Aberglaslyn Pass."

bellini

and this
http://www.festrail.co.uk/