ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ROLLER COASTER NOW OPEN!
The GREEN DRAGON family roller coaster – is now open at Greenwood
Forest Park, Y Felinheli, between Caernarfon and Bangor.
|
 |
 |
The
20-person, five car train travels a 250 metre long track, including a
360 degree horizontal loop, and reaches a top speed of 25mph.
And really, it is two rides in one!
That is because the Green Dragon is the world's first
environmentally-friendly roller coaster which harnesses people-power to
minimise use of electricity. Indeed, over a year of operation, the ride
should generate more power than it uses. |
Greenwood Forest Park managing director Stephen Bristow is the man
behind the project which, for the first time anywhere, combines
traditional roller coaster technology with that developed and used 200
years ago in the slate quarries of North Wales.
He explains: “Once it starts, the ride itself is gravity driven but it
is at the very beginning where we turn people power into the energy we
need.
|
“This energy is used to pull the coaster cars up to the starting point.”
Pulling the cars to the top of the ride is where the old slate quarry
technology comes in.
Mr Bristow continues: “Having walked up the coaster hill, visitors enter
a people carrier and travel down an incline. And then, through the use
of the slate quarry technology, their descent pulls the cars up to the
station. |
|
|
“Passengers then leave the carrier and walk up the hill a second time to
the station where they enter the cars for the ride itself. This reaches
a top speed of 25mph and covers a distance of 250 metres.
“At the end of the ride, the cars stop on a moveable platform at the
bottom of the hill where the passengers alight before the cars are
pulled back up to the station by the next group of visitors.”All in all, the Green Dragon is a ride not to be missed. For more
information, why not visit
www.greenwoodforestpark.co.uk or call 01248 671493.
|
From mid 1900s to 21st Century |
 |
|
Inigo Jones Slate Works has taken full advantage of the potential that
ecommerce can offer. The company which dates back to 1861 launched their
new website (www.inigojones.co.uk) on Thursday 18th March 2004.
The site offers some of the company's extensive range of slate products
on a secure site. Shopping is made easy and nameplates from 500 million
year old welsh slate can now be easily ordered online and delivered
anywhere in the world.
|
|
Customers from different parts of the UK and abroad can
see exactly what they are buying and be guaranteed a prompt and reliable
delivery service.
Enquiries can also be sent for bespoke products that the company
makes to order (such as cills, kitchen work tops, hearths, plaques,
speaker stands etc ) and there is also some useful technical information
on slate products (for example recommendations on sealing different
types of slate products, maximum sizes of slate available as well as
Health and Safety information on slate products )
As one of North Wales’ premier tourism attractions Inigo Jones also
tells the fascinating story of how slate is mined and visitors can
witness at first hand skilled craftsmen as they cut, shape and polish
raw slate. Full information on the tour of the slate works is also
included on the web site and group bookings can easily be made online.
Visit
www.inigojones.co.uk for more information.
|
|
|
|
|
The Lleyn Peninsula in north Wales has been named the fourth most
popular UK holiday destination in an internet poll.
It is the latest in a series of figures and surveys which indicate the
Welsh tourist industry has reason to be optimistic in 2004.
Recent research from Channel Four placed north Wales ahead of the
Algarve, the Lake District and Florida in a list of popular holiday
destinations.
|
|
 |
|
“This is good news for the tourism industry in North Wales” said Jon
Richmond of North Wales Tourism, “and particularly for the Lleyn
Peninsula, which has so many fantastic, natural attractions.”
For more information about what to see and do in the area, visit
www.lleyntourism.com
Story added 19th January 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
Talyllyn Railway features on Royal Mail
commemorative stamps |
Royal Mail bosses were in Wales on Tuesday 13th January to launch the first set
of commemorative stamps for 2004.
|
|
|
|
The stamp set entitled ‘Classic Locomotives’ includes the first railway in the
world to be preserved and operated by volunteers – the narrow gauge Talyllyn
Railway, at Tywyn, Gwynedd, in the beautiful Snowdonia National Park.
Talyllyn Railway locomotive ‘Dolgoch’ is featured on the 20p stamp and was
photographed at the picturesque Rhydyronen station, one of the stops on the
seven mile railway.
David Mitchell, Managing Director of the Talyllyn Railway Company, said the
company was delighted to be part of Royal Mail’s programme. “We’ve very pleased
to have ‘Dolgoch’ on the stamp, as this is the engine that hauled the first
train operated by volunteers from Tywyn Wharf Station on May 14th 1951” he said.
Opened in 1865, the line was taken over by the Talyllyn Railway Preservation
Society in 1951. It quickly became a major tourist attraction with a regular
timetabled service.
Services for 2004 begin on Sunday 8th February – details are available from the
Talyllyn Railway’s website at
www.talyllyn.co.uk
Story added 14 January 2004 |
| |
|
|
Café Lawrence Tremadog presents
£300 prize to Morfa Bychan family
Photo:- Mr Alun Ellis receiving the £300 cheque from Anja
Grunert at Café Lawrence. |
|
A lucky local family won the £300 prize draw recently held
at Café Lawrence Tremadog. The new quality coffee shop is based at Snowdon
Lodge, the historic house where Lawrence of Arabia was born in 1888.
The cheque was presented to Mr Alun Ellis of Morfa Bychan by Anja Grunert,
the joint owner of Café Lawrence and Snowdon Lodge. Anja said: “We decided
to have a prize draw to attract both local residents and the passing tourist
trade to our new café, but we are particularly pleased that a local family
has won the prize.”
|
| The winner, Mr Alun Ellis said: “My family and
I are delighted to win the £300, we enjoy coming to Café Lawrence and love
the home-made cakes, the German recipe plum cake is my favourite.”
With its unique atmosphere, Café Lawrence is designed to give patrons a
relaxed and enjoyable experience surrounded by the beauty of the classic
historic village and countryside. Art North Wales have an ongoing exhibition
on site where currently the works of Liz Brickhill can be seen.
Café Lawrence is open daily from 11.00-5.00 and offers quality bean to
cup coffee, hot chocolate and many different types of teas, also sold are
fresh cakes and sandwiches prepared to order.
Story added 7th July 2003
|
| |
|
|
|
Destination Snowdonia
More than 2000 members of charities from all over Britain will soon be travelling to Snowdonia
thanks to a joint marketing initiative spearheaded by Snowdon Lodge Owners Carl Borum and Anja Grunert,
Ian McNeill of Snowdonia Adventures and Gwynedd Council Marketing Manager Sian Jones. Between them
they have managed to secure a contract that will bring to Snowdonia large numbers of people on hiking
and biking training breaks before they go off to the 4 corners of the world raising millions of pounds
for local and national charities.
|
|
Ian McNeill (left), Helen Maynard (centre front), Carl Borum (right) with group members from
Charity Challenge and a outdoor retail company proudly displaying their Snowdonia information pack
kindly provided by Gwynedd Council.
|
On the weekend of March 21st 2003 Snowdon Lodge and Snowdonia Adventures played host to
representatives of Charity Challenge, an international company that administers events around the
world, including this years international cancer charity challenge "The Great Walk of
China", were women will raise money walking the length of the great wall of China. Joining the
group on their taster weekend were representatives of a large outdoor equipment retailer based in the
South of England. Local activity supplier Snowdonia Adventures treated the group to an intensive
weekend of training on the hills and cycle trails of Snowdonia. Later in the evening Aberglaslyn
Mountain Rescue Training Officer Richard Beech gave a talk on mountain rescue issues and a dog search
presentation.
Helen Maynard, Expeditions Manager for Charity Challenge said: "We are delighted with our
choice of service providers. Being located in Tremadog, Snowdon Lodge is an ideal base for the outdoor
enthusiast to explore the beauty, culture and history of Snowdonia as well as the Llyn Peninsula and
our clients will soon start to benefit from the professionalism and experience of Snowdonia
Adventures."
Both local companies and Gwynedd Council are united in their efforts to extend the holiday season
to 12 months a year which would benefit the local economy and the area. This contract is hopefully
only the first one of many more to come in the future.
ENDS
SNOWDON MOUNTAIN RAILWAY
RAILWAY OF THE YEAR - THE GOOD BRITAIN GUIDE 2003
The Snowdon Mountain Railway at Llanberis in Snowdonia, has been named as the Railway of the Year by the Good Britain Guide.
Snowdon Mountain Railway General Manager, Mr Alan Kendall said:
“It is wonderful recognition of the dedication and the hard work of all the staff at Snowdon Mountain Railway, who work tirelessly every season to ensure the smooth operation and continued development of the railway.”
Jon Richmond of North Wales Tourism was equally delighted. “North Wales is of course home to many tourist railways, and we’re very pleased that the Snowdon Mountain Railway has won this prestigious award from the Good Britain Guide.”
2002 was another busy season with over 130,000 passengers travelling on the railway and the introduction of a series of events and special promotions.
The railway is currently closed for the winter but will open again to the public on Saturday 15th March 2003. To celebrate being awarded “Railway of the Year” and the opening of the season all passengers will be able to travel to Rocky Valley or Clogwyn for HALF PRICE on Saturday 15th March 2003.
For further information, please visit the Snowdon Mountain Railway’s website.
Story added 18th December 2002
All year running on Ffestiniog Railway & Welsh Highland Railway (Caernarfon)!
 |
|
From January 2003 both the Ffestiniog Railway and the Welsh Highland Railway (Caernarfon) will be running all year round with trains on both lines running every weekend throughout the year.
On the WHR this will mean running between Caernarfon and Waunfawr at the beginning of 2003, but come the end there will be double the length of track with the 12 mile run to Rhyd Ddu having been opened earlier in the year. |
Spokesman Tim Davies said “We are trying to offer a service to both local residents and tourists throughout the season and beyond. We have found that we often have people walk in to us during the winter asking if we are running trains so from next year we will! It is also in line with our aim to provide a year round transport service”
On the FR where winter track maintenance means that the route from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog is not complete the entire week, there is the introduction of “Moelwyn’s Winter Wander”, which sees the popular diesel locomotive Moelwyn running between Porthmadog and Minffordd with coaches 11 & 12, departing Porthmadog at 1100, 1300 & 1500. Moelwyn will be running all weekends in January and the first two in February.
More details of the services on both railways may be found at www.festrail.co.uk
Story added 25th November 2002
Restaurant named one of top two in Britain
The owners of a North Wales restaurant are celebrating after it was named as one of the top two establishments in Britain.
 |
|
Plas Bodegroes, near Pwllheli, was named as joint Restaurant of the Year by the Good Food Guide 2003, beating the most famous eating places in the country such as The Ivy and Le Manoir aux Quatr’
Saisons. And owner and chef Chris Chown claimed that it was the quality of local Welsh produce, coupled with his own skills, which earned him the inspectors’ plaudits.
Plas Bodegroes, described as “a special place” in the guide, shares the title with the Altrincham restaurant Juniper. |
What makes the achievement even more remarkable is that Chris is largely self trained. He spent some time helping at a cookery school before getting a job as a commis chef at the Dorchester.
He and his Danish wife Gunna bought Plas Bodegroes in 1986 and have built up the business, which was awarded a prestigious Michelin star. Over the past three years the restaurant has consistently been awarded seven marks out of 10 by the Good Food Guide.
It is also among three finalists in the WDA’s first True Taste of Wales awards, to be presented next month, while Chris himself is shortlisted in the category for ambassadors of Welsh food.
The Good Food Guide inspectors said the food created by Chris “had the simple stamp of confidence evident even from the straightforward confident menu”.
Chris said he was delighted with the recognition his establishment had received. “It’s not only wonderful for us but for the whole of Wales” he said.
He said he used as many local ingredients as possible, including Welsh Black beef and seafood, which was in abundance on the Llyn peninsula.
“We have got it all on the doorstep and we cook those ingredients as simply as possible” he said. Chris also paid tribute to his staff. “we have a very good team and morale is excellent, which helps,” he said.
“The Good Food Guide is concerned not only with the quality of food but with customer satisfaction, and I think we do offer that” he added.
Plas Bodegroes is graded by the Wales Tourist Board as a 5 Star Restaurant with Rooms. For more information on Plas Bodegroes, please visit
www.bodegroes.co.uk
Story added 24th October 2002
BEST OF WELSH HOSPITALITY RECOGNISED BY THE AA
The AA Hotel of the Year Award 2002-2003 for Wales has gone to the three star Castell Deudraeth www.portmeirion.com, a three star Victorian castellated mansion overlooking the Italianate village of Portmeirion in North Wales.
John Howard (centre), Special Advisor to AA Publishing, presents Sian and Robin Llywelyn with
their specially commissioned painting of Castell Deudraeth.
Managed by Robin Llywelyn, the grandson of the hotel's creator, Clough William-Ellis, Castell Deudraeth has an interesting history including being a one-time prep school and former home of Merioneth's first Liberal MP, David Williams. It boasts 11 en-suite rooms with real flame gas fires, under floor heating and surround-sound television. Informal dining is based on fresh, local produce and other facilities include a beauty salon, outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts.
Castell Deudraeth has received a specially-commissioned watercolour painting of the hotel by Hampshire artist, Duncan Palmar along with an award certificate for display on the premises.
Albert Hampson, Hotel Services Business Manager for the AA says, "The AA Hotel of the Year awards are our most prestigious accolades - and this year's winners richly deserve the honour.
"As well as recognising their outstanding facilities and service, the individual winners also represent the adventurous conversion of buildings which once had very different uses.
"The trend towards finding innovative new uses for old buildings helps preserve the best of our heritage while providing contemporary facilities to stimulate the growth of leisure and business travel in the 21st century. It is an ideal combination."
North Wales winners in the Top 200 Hotels - one of the new features of the AA Hotel Guide 2003 highlighting those places in Britain and Ireland awarded prestigious AA red stars and offering outstanding levels of quality, comfort, cleanliness, customer care and mainly serving food to AA Rosette Award standard - are:-
Bodysgallen Hall Hotel, Llandudno - www.bodysgallen.com
St Tudno Hotel & Restaurant, Llandudno - www.st-tudno.co.uk
Osborne House, Llandudno
The Old Rectory Country House, Glan Conwy -www.oldrectorycountryhouse.co.uk
Tyddyn Llan Country Hotel & Restaurant, Llandrillo
Tan y Foel Country House, Betws y Coed - www.tyfhotel.co.uk
All the winning establishments are featured in the 2003 range of AA Lifestyle Guides which are available through all good bookshops and online at
www.theAA.com
Fly to Snowdon Summit – without leaving Betws-y-Coed!
A spectacular new video presentation has been made by the Snowdonia National Park of a helicopter ride from Betws-y-Coed to the summit of Snowdon and back. The video which is screened alternately in English and Welsh may be seen at the Royal Oak Stables in
Betws-y-Coed in the new video auditorium next to the Tourist Information Centre, and is free of charge. It features the superb scenery of the Gwydyr Forest, and flies over Plas y Brenin, the National Mountain Centre at Capel Curig, before the helicopter climbs to 3700ft and continues to the summit of Snowdon. Definitely not for those who suffer from vertigo (gulp!), the film whisks you to the summit and back in about twenty minutes – an excellent way to see the mountains if you’re in a hurry! For further information, please contact the Tourist Information Centre in Betws-y-Coed on 01690 710426 or email
ticbetws@hotmail.com.
Story added 24th September 2001
Promoting Snowdonia and North Wales
The Llanberis Project and The Attraction of Snowdonia are jointly promoting North Wales as a tourist destination by exhibiting at all the major UK Holiday and Travel shows during 2001.
In January they exhibited at The Holiday and Travel Show at GMEX, Manchester. Other shows include Holiday World in Dublin, Holiday Show at the NEC, Birmingham, Great Days Out in Bolton, and the British Travel Trade Fair at the NEC, Birmingham.
Jacquie Knowles of the Llanberis Project stated: “It is essential we promote our beautiful area in the highly competitive market that exists at present”.
John Lloyd, Chairman of the Attractions of Snowdonia added “All the exhibitions we are attending are in our catchment area for day visitors and we are looking for growth in this and in the short weekend breaks. We have far more to offer than the Lake District, but we must market the area far better to increase the business”.
Hopefully the new Regional Tourism Partnerships will be in place by 2002 which will ensure more funding for regional tourism promotion because, as announced by the Wales Tourist Board in September 2000, WTB will match fund local authority contributions. Tourism in North Wales needs far more promotional funding to enable it to compete with Ireland and the Lake District, and hopefully this new initiative will be the beginning of realising that good regional marketing will soon become self financing.
The Attractions of Snowdonia launched their new 2001 leaflet at the Holiday and Travel Show in Manchester in January, and are confident that it will prove as successful as the 2000 leaflet that was the most popular leaflet picked up in Tourist Information Centres in North Wales.
Story added 9th February 2001.
|
|
|
77 Conwy Road,
Colwyn Bay, LL29 7LN
General enquiries
Email : croeso@nwt.co.uk
Telephone : 01492 531731
Fax : 01492 530059
Reservations
Email : reservations@nwt.co.uk
Telephone : 01492 539061
|
|
|
