Bangor

Bangor is a small coastal city located in the breathtaking landscape of northwest Wales, where nearly half of all residents speak Welsh. It is a city rich with history, culture and charm. At the heart of Bangor is the ancient St. Deiniol’s Cathedral, one of the oldest cathedral sites in Britain. The cathedral was founded in AD 525 some 70 years before the Canterbury Cathedral. Nestled at the foothills of Snowdonia National Park, the largest mountain range in the UK, Bangor offers stunning panoramic views and is an ideal location for outdoor adventurers or even the recreational hiker. The City sits on the edge of the Menai Strait (a narrow stretch of shallow tidal water roughly 14 miles long separating Bangor and the mainland from the Isle of Anglesey).

Temperatures in the mid summer months of July and August average around 18°C (64°F) but can occasionally soar to 30°C (85°F) or more. In spring and autumn temperatures average 11-15°C (50-58°F) and in winter they hover just below 6°C (42°F). However the UK’s weather can be unpredictable - sometimes with sunny winter days and cloud and rain in summer.

Another claim to fame is that Bangor has the longest High Street in Wales. It is the region's main cultural and shopping centre, and the city centre has two modern shopping centres, plus a mix of national chain stores and smaller shops. You can catch the latest cinema releases at the Apollo Plaza Cinema in the High Street, while the regional theatre, Theatr Gwynedd, shows a wide variety of films, plays, operas, dance performances and concerts.

Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery is found behind Bangor Cathedral in the centre of the City. Sometimes known as Bangor Museum, the museum is Gwynedd's only general museum. The museum displays examples of Welsh furniture, textiles, art, archaeology, social history items. Located in the former Canonry it is brimming with stories from Gwynedd and surrounding area. The Roman Segontium sword, the Welsh Not, model of Telford's suspension bridge, the King of Bardsey's crown are just a few of the treasures you can enjoy.

Bangor is fortunate to have its own Victorian Pier. Bangor Pier opened in 1896, and the old pier has stood firm - reaching out half way to the Isle of Anglesey (1500ft - 458m) - for over a hundred years. However, there have been serious threats to its existence. In the City itself there are nature and heritage trails linking the City’s green spaces with its rich architectural heritage. Nearby are protected wildlife and nature sites, from the spectacular drop of the Aber Falls to a number of nature reserves, both woodland and seaside.