Admire the mountainous landscape, bask in the sunshine, and indulge in cheese fondue. It’s an idyllic setting for an Alpine holiday. However, this is North Wales, not the Swiss Alps. Forget about the Matterhorn.

It’s quarries rather than ski slopes that define the landscape here, and the fondue is made from cave-aged cheddar instead of Gruyère. Rebecca Day travelled to Snowdonia, or Eryri as it’s now officially known, a tourist destination renowned for its towering mountains and verdant valleys, just a two-hour drive from Manchester. 

Rebecca stayed at the Plas Weunydd Hotel with her family, nestled right in the heart of this rugged terrain.  The Victorian hotel, situated in a former slate mine, is a favourite amongst adventurers.

There’s a Zip World and a mountain bike centre merely a stone’s throw away from our base. Rebecca shared: “Being six months pregnant and with a toddler in tow, my partner and I plan a more sedate itinerary for this trip.

“Hurtling through the air at 100mph doesn’t really appeal in my current condition,” reports the Manchester Evening News. She continued: “On our first night, we enjoy dinner at the hotel on the outdoor terrace, which has incredible views of the jagged peaks opposite.

“We ordered Snowdonia Cheese Fondue (£18) to share, then fish and chips (£18) and the chicken gyro (£17). Our little one has the kids’ pasta with Bolognese sauce, and laps up the lot.

“The standout dish is the fondue – silky, salty and creamy, served with all manner of Crudités and breads to dip into it. The mains are standard pub fayre, but they are just what we need after a post-work drive with the little one.”

The bedroom is cosy and spotless. Fans are provided in the room, which are swiftly switched on due to the scorching May heat.

The hotel exudes a relaxed, homely atmosphere – in the lounge/dining area, a blend of walkers and tattooed ‘mountain bike bros’ unwind on the comfortable chairs with their dogs after a day on the hills.

Rebecca said: “Ahead of the visit, we seek out family friendly activities in the area. I want to know what this part of the world has to offer for young families keen to take in the breathtaking views, but in need of activities to keep the little ones entertained.

“Google directs us to a soft play centre nearby and an alpaca farm (although when we call up the farm, they inform us they are only running two-hour hikes for visitors, which aren’t suitable for youngsters).

“As the sun is shining, it feels a shame to spend the day in a soft play centre. The hotel is just an 18-minute drive from the beautiful town of Betws-y-Coed, so we head straight there.

“We immediately stop off for a coffee and an ice cream at Hangin Pizzeria, one of the many cafes and restaurants located in the centre opposite a big park.

“The restaurant has an enormous gorilla statue outside, which my daughter enjoys toddling up to while practising her animal noises. The little one is also kept entertained with the colouring crayons the staff offer out, while us adults admire the view.”

Rebecca continued to share her experience and said, “Suitably refreshed, we head off on a walk to the popular attraction Swallow Falls. The 45-minute walk from the town follows the river and takes you on a path through scenic woodland to the waterfall.

“My partner takes the toddler on his shoulders, and she has a great time pointing out all the trees from up high.

“We take a few breaks along the river so she can have a paddle in the water. Disclaimer – we don’t make it all the way to the falls on foot because the path gets a bit steep, but on our way home we drive to a car park nearby so we can see it.

“We return to the town for lunch, stopping at The Alpine Coffee Shop, which serves artisan food to hordes of keen tourists.”

Rebecca highly recommends the homemade falafel-filled pitta bread, which was fresh and extremely moreish.

Just behind the cafe is the Conwy Valley Railway museum, offering miniature train rides for just £2.50 a ticket. It’s for passengers aged 2+, so we don’t quite make the cut.

After lunch, the family visited The Village Green Park, where her little one had a grand time running around with her ball. “For our evening meal, we venture to a local pub, The Grapes. 

“As we await our food in the warm weather, my toddler enjoys the slide in the well-equipped play area of the pub,” said Rebecca.

The Grapes offers hearty pub favourites such as homemade steak and ale pie and lasagne, all while providing stunning views of the mountains from its outdoor seating area.

Rebecca continued: “The next morning we have breakfast at the hotel. The hotel offers a really good buffet with options like perfectly poached eggs and good quality sausages and bacon for guests to fill up on before their day exploring.

“We then head to a car park near Dolwyddelan Castle, a thirteenth-century castle that’s less than a ten-minute drive away. The castle, perched on a hill, serves as a lasting memorial to medieval Welsh ruler Llywelyn the Great.”

“After soaking up the Welsh history, we pay a visit to the nearby beauty spot Fairy Glen. It’s a beautiful dingle named after the mythical sprites which are said to reside there. 

“There’s a perfect picnic spot with gorgeous views where we have a play and enjoy sandwiches from the Popty Tandderwen Bakery, before heading back home. Our time in Snowdonia was blissful.

“Although the area is perfectly geared up for people seeking adrenaline fuelled adventures, it also suited a young family keen for a relaxing stay in the stunning surroundings.”

Travel factfile

Rebecca lodged at the four-star Plas Weunydd Hotel in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Llechwedd, Gwynedd. It is approximately a two-hour drive from Manchester.

Plas Weunydd Hotel, recently refurbished, offers nightly rates starting from £69 for a room-only basis, based on two people sharing. The hotel caters to all needs with accessible and dog-friendly rooms available, as well as bed and breakfast options.

The establishment boasts family rooms, a boot room, a hotel bar, and a spacious outdoor seating area, along with an on-site car park. For those seeking a unique experience, glamping tents that sleep up to five are available from £125 per night, and Shepherd’s Huts, accommodating two, start from £150 per night.

To learn more about the hotel, visit their website here. For corporate retreats, a brochure is available on the website here.