Deeside leisure centre is the national centre for ice sports in Wales. Situated on Chester Road West in Queensferry, and just a ten minute drive from Pentrehobyn, the centre boasts an Olympic sized ice pad and caters for a variety of sports and activities ice hockey, curling and disco nights. Please see the website for opening times.
Archives: North Wales
North Wales
Curling
Try your hand at Curling at Deeside Ice rink and Leisure centre, just a 10 minute drive away from Pentrehobyn. Curling sessions are around one hour long, and are held after the Winter Olympics, at the start of the new season in September, and at other points each year. Be sure to contact the organisers via the website in advance.
Moel Famau
Moel Famau is an impressive Country Park and an important part of the Clwydian Range Area of Natural Beauty. The heather moorland turns purple in the Autumn and contrasts beautifully with the green grassland pastures of the Vale of Clwyd. The heather provides food and shelter for wildlife, such as grouse, stonechat and curlew.
The remains of the Jubilee Tower are at the highest point in the Park at 554m (1818 ft). It was built to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of George III. A storm in 1862 reduced the impressive Egyptian style monument to the base that can be seen today.
The Park covers an area over 2,000 acres and is managed by Denbighshire Countryside Service. The service improves the heather moorland, drystone walls and access paths and provides information and facilities for visitors. Forestry Enterprise manage the neighbouring Forest as a sustainable conifer plantation for timber production and visitor destination.
Rhyl and Prestatyn
Rhyl, Prestatyn and Colwyn Bay are all within easy reach by car and well known for their long, broad, sandy beaches, amusements and fish and chips. Walk the Wales Coast path from Prestatyn to Colwyn Bay. Children will love the SeaQuarium at Rhyl and the Welsh Mountain Zoo. Enjoy a ride on the Rhyl miniature railway.
Theatr Clwyd
We are very lucky to have Clwyd Theatr Cymru on the doorstep – Wales’ major drama producing operation, originally built as a Regional Arts Centre and opened by Her Majesty the Queen in 1976. It is the home of a highly acclaimed producing company, which also presents much of its work on tour throughout Wales and the rest of the UK. The company produces mainly in English, but also in Welsh. The work of the professional theatre company is complemented by a programme of visiting performance activity (drama, dance, music, opera), film and exhibitions.
Theatr Clwyd, Mold, Flintshire, CH7 1YA
Mold Golf Club
Mold Golf Club is a golf club based just outside Pantymwyn – a 9 minute drive via the Mold by-pass. It is an 18-hole uplands course some 850 feet above sea level, with a practice ground and putting green. The Club welcomes members, new members and visitors alike, seven days a week.
Cilcain Rd, Mold CH7 5EH
Royal Albert docks
With its history dating back to 1839, Liverpool’s Albert Dock was transformed from dereliction to complete regeneration in the late 1980s. Blending the old and the new, it now proudly holds the title of being one of the most visited tourist attractions in the whole of the UK, thanks to its extensive offer of restaurants, bars, hotels, museums and galleries.
Located on Liverpool’s incredible World Heritage Site waterfront, the Albert Dock structure features the largest collection of Grade I listed buildings in the whole country.
Anglesey
Angelsey is an hour and a quarter’s drive from Mold via the North Wales Expressway. As soon as you go over one of the bridges, you will be greeted with stunning landscapes, unspoilt coastlines and picturesque towns and villages waiting to be explored. There are miles of scenic walks along the coastal path, cycle paths and the very best of water based activities. Much of the coastline has been declared an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Penrhyn Castle
Described by the National Trust as a ’19th century Fantasy Castle’, Penrhyn is just over an hour’s drive from Pentrehobyn in Llandygai, Bangor, Gwynedd.
It is in the form of a Norman castle – originally a medieval fortified manor house – founded by Ednyfed Fychan. Penrhyn’s attractions include a formal walled garden, extensive informal gardens, an adventure playground, picnic areas and woodland walks. There is The Penrhyn Castle Railway Museum, a narrow gauge railway museum and the castle hosts one of the finest art collections in Wales. Penrhyn enjoys stunning views over the Snowdonia mountains, the Menai Strait and Puffin Island.
Powis Castle
Powis Castle is a medieval castle, fortress and grand country mansion near Welshpool, just over an hour’s drive from Pentrehobyn.
It is known for housing the treasures that were brought home by Robert Clive and his son, Edward Clive from India, looted during their service with the British East India Company.
The seat of the Earl of Powis, the castle is known for its extensive, attractive formal gardens, terraces, parkland, deerpark and landscaped estate. The property is under the care of the National Trust.
Aintree
Best known as the home of the Grand National steeplechase, Aintree is regarded as the most difficult of all courses to complete successfully, with 16 steeplechase fences including renowned obstacles the Chair, Foinavon, Valentine’s, Canal Turn and Becher’s Brook. Four other races take place over the National fences. These are the Topham Chase (formerly known as the John Hughes Trophy Chase) and the Fox Hunters’ Chase at the Grand National meeting, and the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase and Becher Chase in the December meeting. Within the large National course there is also the smaller Mildmay course containing hurdles and fences.
Aintree has also been used for motor racing and music events. There is a 9-hole golf course and driving range within its boundaries. Golfers have the chance to see the famous track from a different perspective and famous features such as Becher’s Brook are incorporated into the course.
Zip world
Experience the fastest zip line in the world. Soar over Penrhyn Quarry where you could travel at speeds of over 100mph while you take in the breathtaking views and feel the freedom of flight.
Alternatively, Zip Fforest is located in stunning woodland setting nestled in the North Wales Conwy Valley, close to the iconic Snowdonia village of Betws y Coed. Choose from the Fforest Coaster, the UK’s only alpine coaster of its kind or try Europe’s highest giant swing, Skyride,
Shopping in Chester
The City of Chester is perfect for a spot of retail therapy. There are undercover shopping centres and an abundance of fashion boutiques, independent shops and high street favourites. The unique Rows comprise 700 year-old-two-tiered covered shopping galleries, home to delightful shops, bars and restaurants.
Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet is located in Ellesmere Port, located off Junction 10 of the M53. ~It is the largest outlet centre in the United Kingdom, with 145 stores and the first designer outlet village in Europe.
The Grand National
Held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, The Grand National was first run in 1839. A handicap steeplechase over 4 miles 514 yards with horses jumping 30 fences over two laps, it is the most valuable jump race in Europe, with a prize fund of over £1 million. The Grand National festival runs over three days, culminating in the Steeplechase on the Saturday. Immerse yourself in the excitement with thousands of others, whilst the world looks on via television.
Chirk Castle
A National Trust Grade I listed castle, near Wrexham. Chirk Castle is a 700 year old marcher fortress, commanding fine views over the surrounding countryside. It was built in the late 13th century by Roger Mortimer, Justice of North Wales for Edward 1. It was sold to Sir Thomas Myddelton in 1595 and his descendants continue to live in part of the castle today. The magnificent baroque iron gates are dated 1719 and bear the coat-of-arms of the Myddelton family. Check the National Trust website for opening.
Chester Roman Gardens
Just over 20 minutes’ drive away, the Roman Gardens at Chester are just outside the city walls near the Newgate and the Roman Amphitheatre. The gardens were constructed in the 1949 to display the building fragments from the Roman legionary fortress of Deva, including pieces from some of the most important military buildings, the main baths and the legionary headquarters and general artifacts found throughout the city. The project formed part of Chester’s contribution to the 1951 Festival of Britain.The gardens were remodeled in 2000 to provide access to the River Dee.
Mount Snowdon
Snowdon – Yr Wyddfa. Wales’ highest mountain dominates the skyline of North West Wales at 1,085 metres (3,560 feet) peak. There are six recommended paths up the mountain of varying difficulty, but all are classed as ‘hard, strenuous walks’ and you should allow at least 6 – 8 hours to get there and back. Alternatively you can get the train up! Whichever route you choose you will enjoy glorious views of lakes, and waterfalls and Snowdonia National Park. The journey from Pentrehobyn takes about an hour and a half by car.
Chester Cathedral
Founded as a Benedictine abbey in 1092, Chester cathedral was built in the Romanesque or Norman style, parts of which can still be seen today. The church was subsequently rebuilt from around 1250 onward in the Gothic style, a process which took about 275 years an resulted in the incredible structure seen today. With the most complete set of monastic buildings in the country, a Georgian square and series of streets, the remains of Roman barracks on the Dean’s field and the largest open green spaces within the walls, visitors can experience everything the cathedral has to offer.
Erdigg
Erddig Hall is a National Trust property on the outskirts of Wrexham, 14 miles from Pentrehobyn. The Hall was built in 1684–1687 for Josiah Edisbury, the High Sheriff of Denbighshire. It was designed in 1683 by Thomas Webb. Erddig is one of the country’s finest stately homes. The walled garden is one of the most important surviving 18th century formal gardens in Britain. The gardens contain rare fruit trees, a canal, a pond, a Victorian era parterre, and are home to a National Plant Collection of Hedera (ivy).
Bodnant Gardens
A National Trust property near Tal-y-Cafn, Conwy, Bodnant Garden is about a 45 minute drive from Pentrehobyn.
Gifted to the National Trust in 1949, the garden spans 80 acres of hillside and includes formal Italianate terraces, informal shrub borders stocked with plants from around the world, The Dell, a gorge garden, a number of notable trees and a waterfall. Bodnant is famous for its spectacular Laburnum arch and since 2012, new areas have opened including the Winter Garden, Old Park Meadow, Yew Dell and The Far End, a riverside garden.
North Wales Golf
Chester races
Known as the Roodee, Chester Racecourse is the oldest racecourse still in use in England. Racing at Chester dates back to the early sixteenth century. At just 1 mile and 1 furlong long it is also thought to be the smallest racecourse of significance in England. Experience the thrill of watching competitive racing, whist enjoying food and beverages across a variety of areas and enclosures. Tickets and badges for all fixtures, including the Boodles May Festival, are available to buy in the link below.
The Racecourse, Chester, CH1 2LY
01244 304 600
Llandudno
A Victorian seaside resort at the foot of the Great Orme (a huge limestone headland rising 207 metres out of the sea), Llandudno is known for its North Shore Beach and 19th-century Llandudno Pier, with shops and a games arcade. A 1902 tramway has an upper and lower section, and travels to the headland’s summit. To the east, smaller headland Little Orme is a nature reserve.
Beatles story
This award-winning attraction is the world’s largest permanent exhibition purely devoted to the lives and times of the Fab Four. Located in their hometown of Liverpool on the stunning UNESCO World heritage site at the Albert Dock, The Beatles Story takes visitors on an atmospheric journey through the lives, times, culture and music of The Beatles.
Chester Roman ampitheatre
The largest Roman ampitheatre in the UK, Chester was built in the late first century AD, and was probably used both for entertainments and for practising troop manoeuvres and weapon training. Only about two-fifths of the oval amphitheatre is visible; the rest lies unexcavated behind the brick wall. In the excavated part, two entrances have been exposed: the larger lies on the long axis to the north, while the smaller lies on the short axis to the east. Lining the arena is the original stone wall, although, owing to later removal, some sections are missing and there is modern concrete backing. Free admission.
Bounce below
Set in caverns southwest of Betws-y-Coed, Bounce Below came to life from a former Victorian mine in Blaenau Ffestiniog and takes trampolining and exploring fun to a whole new subterranean level. There are six levels filled with nets, huge slides and adventure. Take several giant trampoline-like nets surround them with some protective netting, tunnels and slides, then put it all in a cavern deep beneath the ground. Just over an hour’s drive from Pentrehobyn.
Chester Zoo
Just a 20 minute drive from Pentrehobyn, Chester is the UK’s most visited zoo and one of the largest at 125 acres. There are over 21,000 animals and 500 different species, including some of the most endangered species on the planet. Open daily from 10 a.m. (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day).
Chester Zoo, Chester CH2 1LH