| The city of Bangor in North Wales is a modern, lively | | | | while away from the city centre there are large 'out of |
| university city with ancient roots. And if you're going to | | | | town' stores where you can grab a bargain or two. |
| visit North Wales, Bangor's accessible location makes it | | | | Once you're all shopped out, there are many excellent |
| the ideal base while you explore Snowdonia's | | | | bars, pubs, restaurants and bistros where you can |
| mountains and coast. | | | | recharge your batteries; you'll be able to sample local |
| Travelling to and around Bangor couldn't be easier; | | | | produce cooked to traditional Welsh recipes or, if you |
| there are regular train services to London, Manchester | | | | fancy something a little more exotic, take your pick |
| and Cardiff and network links to the rest of the UK. It's | | | | from a great range of world cuisine. |
| easy to get to Bangor by road too, using the A55 and | | | | When you visit Bangor you'll be spoilt for choice when |
| the scenic A5 which cuts through the heart of | | | | it comes to finding things to do. Of course, being in the |
| Snowdonia. Once you're in Bangor, there are many | | | | heart of Snowdonia - which has been described as |
| bus services to help you explore the Snowdonia | | | | "the UK's number one activities centre" - you'll have |
| countryside and visit local attractions - as well as those | | | | access to a huge range of sports and activities. Apart |
| a little further afield. | | | | from a vast array of sports and leisure facilities |
| Bangor's roots can be traced back to the sixth | | | | available at Bangor University, Bangor also has an |
| century, to St Deiniol's monastic cell of about 525AD. | | | | excellent indoor swimming pool with water slides and |
| Bangor Cathedral, in the heart of the city, has ancient | | | | diving boards, and there's also a bowling green and |
| foundations and although the earliest buildings on the | | | | outdoor tennis club. Nearby are the National |
| site were destroyed by Vikings, and the later Norman | | | | Watersports Centre for Wales at Plas Menai, |
| church was burned by King John in 1210, the Cathedral | | | | Caernarfon and the National Mountain Centre at Plas |
| has endured since being rebuilt in the 13th and 14th | | | | Y Brenin, Capel Curig; for golf enthusiasts there's the |
| centuries. The surviving structure, though heavily | | | | 18-hole St Deiniol Golf Club and a 9-hole course and |
| restored in the 19th century, retains many original | | | | driving range at nearby Treborth. And if watching sport |
| features like the 14th century crossing and choir, a 13th | | | | is more appealing to you than playing, there's Bangor |
| century chamfered arch in the Lady Chapel, and the | | | | City Football Club, a cricket club and a rugby club. |
| 15th century wooden statue, dubbed "the Mostyn | | | | There's plenty to see in Bangor if you're interested in |
| Christ". | | | | history and culture. As well as Gwynedd Museum and |
| Close to Bangor Cathedral you'll find Gwynedd | | | | Bangor Cathedral, Bangor also boasts a beautiful |
| Museum and Art Gallery, which houses many | | | | Victorian pier, lovingly restored to its former grandeur in |
| fascinating local archaeological finds in its permanent | | | | 1987 and one of the few Victorian piers to remain |
| collection - including finds from the Neolithic axe factory | | | | virtually unaltered in design. Here you can take a |
| at Graig Lwyd near Llanfairfechan and a Roman | | | | refreshing stroll and enjoy spectacular views across |
| sword from Segontium in Caernarfon - as well as | | | | the Menai Strait to Anglesey, or try a spot of fishing or |
| exhibitions of local and international artists; while in the | | | | crabbing followed by a delicious cream tea. |
| museum's shop you'll find beautiful gifts made by local | | | | A visit to Penrhyn Castle is fun for all the family. This |
| craftspeople. | | | | medieval manor was extended into a Norman-style |
| If you enjoy a spot of shopping, Bangor won't | | | | fairytale castle - complete with arrow slits and murder |
| disappoint; it's one of North Wales' principal shopping | | | | holes - in the 19th century, and has been described as |
| centres. Bangor's high street is said to be the longest in | | | | "one of the greatest Victorian houses". Penrhyn Castle |
| Wales, lined with a good mix of high street giants and | | | | is home to many precious works of art by |
| small independent shops where you can buy anything | | | | Gainsborough, Holbein, Rembrandt and others, and |
| from local crafts to luxury goods. On Bangor High | | | | there's a fantastic railway museum too. |
| Street you'll find two excellent indoor shopping centres, | | | | |