The UK beauty spot that looks more like New Zealand with snow-capped mountains and huge lakes

AS my pebble hits the water, ripples instrumentality out, ­disturbing the reflected country of snow-dusted upland tops.

If it weren’t for my bouncing dog, Dora, and the pebbles I’d been launching for her to fetch, the water would beryllium astir eerily inactive and quiet.

With tall, wide trees and raw, jagged cliffs bordering the water, the mounting reminded maine of 1 of a lakeside quality spot you would find successful New Zealand.

Instead, I’m successful Snowdonia ­National Park, heavy successful the Welsh countryside.

Bala Lake is this country’s largest freshwater lake, stretching 3.5miles successful length.

And a crisp winter’s time is the cleanable clip to instrumentality successful its beauty.

I’m the lone idiosyncratic astir that morning, it seems, barroom 1 chap jogger.

My household were inactive sleeping backmost astatine our cosy vacation home, 20 minutes up the roadworthy adjacent the colony of Llangwm successful Corwen.

Dodging sheep

I can’t blasted them. With a roaring log burner keeping the surviving country toasty and a bubbling blistery tub overlooking sheep grazing successful fields, Cefn Nannau was the cleanable flight — and not conscionable due to the fact that it stands successful solitude connected a farm.

The 12-person barn conversion was precocious named the champion spot successful North Wales successful Sykes Cottages’ Gems Awards and is perfectly situated to research the North Wales’ champion quality spots.

As good arsenic six characterful bedrooms, astir with ensuites, determination are 2 surviving rooms and a ample room that is cleanable for cooking up radical feasts, with a agelong eating array astatine its centre.

You won’t request to task acold to stitchery goodies to cook, either.

The award-winning Rhug Estate Farm Shop is little than 10 minutes’ thrust and is crammed afloat of local, artisan treats that kept maine coming backmost for more.

You whitethorn privation to support tabs connected what you’re buying, though, arsenic costs tin stack up rapidly present – this beauteous property has been visited by King Charles and Queen Camilla, aft all.

We stocked up connected Welsh beers from section microbreweries, including a rose-flavoured IPA and cocoa mousse stout, positive homemade Scotch eggs, pies and olives from the deli counter, and eggs from the section hens.

Stay for grub astatine the cafe. It’s 1 of the champion section spots for food, serving integrated fry-ups for brekkie positive classical Welsh rarebits and overgarment spuds for lunch.

The full spot is dog-friendly, too.

For much pub-like food, caput to the Berwyn Arms, 10 minutes up the roadworthy successful Corwen.

It’s a large spot for a cracking Sunday roast, which you tin tuck into portion enjoying sweeping views of the vale and its moving river.

Eat up, due to the fact that if there’s 1 happening North Wales is known for it’s the fantabulous hiking trails.

And I’m not conscionable talking Mount Snowdon — though I perceive it is the easiest of the UK’s celebrated 3 peaks to ascent — but ­tranquil strolls done villages.

We pottered on winding paths, pursuing dilatory trickling streams and dodging shaggy sheep successful their tens.

Most days, the prima lone hinted astatine an quality by piercing holes done the heavy clouds.

But that doesn’t substance successful these beauteous surroundings. Plus, you’ll beryllium grateful for the chill upwind erstwhile hiking.

There are plentifulness of casual and challenging trails from Betws-y-Coed, a picturesque village, location to dog-friendly cafes and pubs.

But if you similar the seashore to mountains, past caput northbound to Colwyn Bay oregon westbound to Harlech.

Both beaches are little than an hour’s thrust from the vacation location by car.

Harlech is besides location to a mighty castle (entry is £30.40 for a household of four), portion Colwyn has a accepted seaside consciousness with a agelong promenade and pier.

Kids tin bask classical amusements oregon travel look to look with tigers, chimpanzees and reptiles astatine the Welsh Mountain Zoo (around £52 for a household of four).

My canine Dora, however, was lone funny successful 1 happening — much pebbles to chase.

And with views similar these, I had nary complaints launching them into the oversea for arsenic agelong arsenic my limb would allow.