Dream Trip: 30 days in Great Britain part 3: North Wales to Manchester

No don't stay in Bangor. It seems that you won't have your own transport in North Wales-is that right or is there a possibility of hiring a car even for a few days. You will get so much more out of it if you do.

In both Manchester and Chester look at Abode Hotels where there are some very good deals.

Frances,that is correct...we will not have our own transportation. We are open to renting a car. Would you suggest driving from Holyhead, or rent the car from someplace else? Where else would be a good place to stay, if not Bangor?
I will certainly look into the hotel that you mentioned for Chester and Manchester also. Thanks!

Could you drive from Holyhead to Chester and then on to Manchester to fly home Chester is one of my favorite small cities in England, a wonderful cathedral, fabulous architecture and you can walk on the walls!

As I mentioned yesterday you will have a more enjoyable and flexible stay if you hire a car. I would hire in Bangor which is about 20mins on the train from Holyhead . Then you can return the car there and hop on the train when you are ready to leave.
Whilst I do not know what you are hoping to see here I recommend you stay in Beaumaris which is a maximum of 15 mins from Bangor by car. Its a charming small town on the eastern end of the Menai Straits with stunning views across to Snowdonia and the great Orme.There is a good choice of places to eat-all within walking distance and places to stay too. The furthest point on Anglesey is about 40 mins away. Caernarfon is about 30 mins and Porthmadog about one hour.
How much do you want to spend on accomodation? How many days are you planning on being here?

Frances, thanks again for your advice. Sadly, we will only be in Wales for two days. The things we most want to see are the castles at Beaumaris and Caernarfon. I like your idea of staying in Beaumaris; do you have a place to recommend? Our budget is 100-125 pounds/night. Also, I have never hired a car overseas--I will search other threads for particulars on what I will need in order to do this. Do you have a recommendation for a company that is easy to deal with?

It's been several years, but I stayed at the Bull's Head Inn. www.bullsheadinn.co.uk Very nice. I also took note of the following:

Victoria Cottage www.victoriacottage.net/page2.html

Bishop's Gate Hotel www.bishopsgatehotel.co.uk

Perhaps Frances will have some suggestions too.

hi not shure if you have thought about conway and its castle if you havnt stopped by then you pass it on the train to chester or manchester same rail line you can easly base your self there for a few days the castle hotel is realy nice and there is a beautiful elizabethan house just opisite plas mwar and its easy enough to go on bus / train from conway to either of the other castles...as for chester / manchester both worth a visit in there own right both roman cities chester of course has lots to see in the way of sites cathedral castle walls rows boating on the river dee ect..manchester great for the arts night life restraunts theatre shopping ect and the rylands libary is a must see..st johns street hotel is a realy nice hotel just of the main street deansgate and a tram hope to the main line rail stations for york..hope you enjoy your trip....

Thanks for the information, Howard. We are going to stay in Beaumaris, but we will be visiting Conway and Chester on our way to Manchester. The National Slate Museum was also recommended. Any thoughts on that? Wish we had longer to stay in the area.

its a tad grim but worth a look if it was me i would give it a miss and go to penryn castle instead built entirely from slat and well worth a visit its a real upstairs downstairs experiance and in a beautiful location and near to bangor and on the way to conway you pass right by the gates..

another thought on where to stay Seiont Manor is a lovely hotel (I got married there) £90-110 a night, great breakfast to set you up for the day about 10 minutes from Caernarfor 20 minutes from Bangor. A car is really a must as public transport is poor. In two days Id recommend train from Holyhead to bangor, hire a car here, the castles as mentioned, and a drive through Snowdonia visiting villages such as Beddgelert, Betws Y Coed. Slate mine is very interesting but in a bleak area especially on a wet day.

Personally I like Chester as smaller than Manchester, again direct train from Bangor, hope this helps.

I can also recommend The Bull's Head in Beaumaris. Easy walk to the castle ruins, parish church, etc. I would substitute Bodnant Gardens and Llandudno and the Orme for the slate museum in a heartbeat, particularly if the weather is good.

The Bull is probably THE place to stay in Beaumaris and has shedloads of history and character. It has a good restaurant in the Bistro but annoyingly they do not take reservations. However as long as you are prepared to wait you will get in. Their upstairs restaurant is first class but I haven't yet cracked exactly when they open. Reservations are taken here.
Some friends stayed here in 2010 for a wedding and enjoyed it so much that when another wedding came up last year they immediately booked to return. However this time they were given a room that turned out to be noisy- moral of the story is-ask for a quiet room.
Other friends also stayed at the Bishopgate and were full of praise.
The White Lion has recently been taken over by a chef and I like the food here a lot. They only have a small Dining Room but serve in the bar when it is full. Quite imaginative cooking.
Another pub worth a visit for food is the Sailors Return- you may have to book here in summer.
Just opened is Cennin- a restaurant run by a young local chef which is getting a great name. There is a big emphasis on local meats in particular. It is above a butcher from which the meat is sourced called "Moo Baa Oink" - no translation needed!
The Slate Museum is part of the National Museum of Wales and located in Llanberis- a well known little town in a picturesque location on a lake. What I really like about visiting Llanberis is the row of Miners Cottages up on the hillside overlooking the lake and also the Miners Hospital . Information about the museum can be found on the website www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/slate/
This museum is different from and not in the same town as The Slate Mine which is in Blaenau Ffestiniog
I very much enjoyed a visit to the Dinorwic Hydro-Electric Scheme ( a stones throw from the Slate Museum). Whilst it may not be the usual sort of thing you would seek out on holiday, people here remember it being built and everyone can tell you the story of how it comes into effect to power all the kettles which are switched on simultaneously when Coronation St finishes. See www.fhc.co.uk/electric_mountain.htm. Open all year and useful if its wet (which it may be!)
Another interesting visit is to Oriel Mon - an art gallery in Llangefni, about 10 miles from Beaumaris depending which way you drive. This is a purpose built home for works of Kyffin Williams and has a very good shop with a lovely collection of locally made jewellery and a super cafe.
The only car hire place which I know of in Bangor is Quayside. This is right opposite the station. Come back if this does not do the trick

Hi, Am a big fan of Tripadvisor and have always found it excellent when looking for accommodation. The Palace Hotel currently sits 57 out of 122 hotels in Manchester. There are far better places. Oxford Road station is not a main station and trains to the airport are better from the main station, Manchester Piccadilly and there are several much better ranked hotels that are just a short walk away, including Abode, which ranks 19 on TA.
Hope this helps.
Tim

Thanks again, Frances and everyone else, for the excellent advice. We have secured lodging in Beaumaris, and have a great day planned in North Wales on our way to Manchester. I know we will really enjoy our trip.