Bangor guide

A small cathedral city on the Menai Strait, with a Victorian pier reaching most of the way to Anglesey, a big university and the mountains of Eryri just behind it.

c. 525St Deiniol founded the cathedral458mGarth Pier, opened 18961884Bangor University foundedBy trainOn the North Wales Coast line

Overview

Why go to Bangor

Bangor is one of the oldest cathedral cities in Britain and one of the smallest, with around 17,000 people in the built-up area and thousands of students in term time. Its High Street is one of the longest in Wales, and the city sits between the Menai Strait, Anglesey and the Ogwen Valley.It makes a handy base: Penrhyn Castle and Zip World are on the doorstep, Anglesey is over the bridge, and Snowdon is about half an hour away.

Things to do

Top things to do in Bangor

Garth PierOpened in 1896 and about 458m long, it reaches out into the Menai Strait with views to Anglesey and the Menai Bridge. Small entry charge, cash at the gate.

Penrhyn CastleNational Trust neo-Norman castle built 1820 to 1837 on slate-quarry money, with a railway museum and big gardens.

Bangor CathedralFounded by St Deiniol around 525 and restored by George Gilbert Scott from 1868. Look for the Bible Garden outside.

StorielGwynedd's museum and art gallery in the old Bishop's Palace. Free, Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.

PontioThe university's arts centre, opened in 2015, with a theatre, cinema and cafe bar.

Zip World Penrhyn QuarryVelocity 2 at Bethesda, a 1,555m zip line over the quarry lake, about 15 minutes from the city.

Nearby

Over the bridge and into the hills

Telford's Menai Suspension Bridge celebrated its 200th birthday in January 2026. It has a 7.5 tonne weight limit while repair works run into 2027, so bigger vehicles use the Britannia Bridge on the A55. Beyond it lie Menai Bridge town, Beaumaris and the rest of Anglesey.Inland, the A5 climbs through Bethesda into the Ogwen Valley for Tryfan and the Glyderau, and Llanberis and Snowdon are a short drive away. Check our Snowdon parking guide before you go.

Getting there

Getting to Bangor

By car: the A55 runs past the city, with junctions 9 to 11 for Bangor. Check A55 traffic before you set off.By train: Bangor station is on the North Wales Coast line between Holyhead and Chester, with direct trains to Manchester and London.By bus: buses run to Caernarfon, Llandudno, Anglesey and Bethesda, and Sherpa'r Wyddfa buses link Bangor with Llanberis and Pen-y-Pass.

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