Snowdon Mountain Railway, Caernarfon

We wanted to visit the summit of snowdon but there was no way our 4 year old would manage the walk all the way up so we decided to take the easy option - the train. We visited before the start of the summer season proper but we still had to book on a train 2 hours after our arrival time, due to lack of space. You can book in advance (although not on the day of travel) but this could backfire if the weather turns. We felt it was very expensive at £25 per adult and £18 for a child (fortunately our 1 year old went free). There is a shop and a cafe by the booking office but not really enough to occupy you for 2 hours, so we went into town which is about a 10 min walk away. The trip up lasts about an hour through beautiful scenery and there is guided commentary (although the mentions of welsh dragons traumatised our 4 year old). At the top you get about half an hour, just about time to scramble to the very top of the summit. There is also an impressive cafe with a glass wall for you to admire the view. Unfortunately the summit was in a cloud of mist when we got to the top so we couldn't enjoy the view. The journey home takes about an hour. We enjoyed the trip but felt it was very expensive.

The views are outstanding and it is the easy way of taking your children up snowdon but it is very expensive. When we visited it was £25 return for adults and £18 for children +so it cost us nearly £90 for two adults and two children. The centre at the top is newly refurbished and is worth a visit. It is also nice to enjoy a cup of tea at the top of snowdon which you can't do up many mountans. A good day out but you better get saving!