North Wales, with a population of c.700,000, stretches from the English border at Wrexham and Flintshire along the A55 corridor to the ferry port at Holyhead on Anglesey (Ynys Môn), and south into Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. The region is effectively two economies. To the east, Wrexham–Deeside behaves like a spillover of the Liverpool–Manchester–Chester city region: good road/rail connectivity, large employment parks, and a steady commuter base. To the west, Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd, and Anglesey are defined by coastal towns, rural villages, tourism, and a growing clean-energy footprint tied to the Irish Sea
North Wales benefits from diverse sector strengths — notably in manufacturing, low-carbon energy, tourism, agri-food, public services, and digital infrastructure. 2021 average weekly earnings was £564, the highest of the 4 economic regions in Wales, and above the UK average [1].
The region is supported by the North Wales Growth Deal, a £1 billion investment plan aimed at generating 4,200 jobs and adding £2.4 billion in net GVA [2].
Vast natural landscapes like Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park (2,130 km²) bolster recreation, wellbeing, and tourism appeal — hosting all 15 of Wales’s 3,000-ft peaks, including Snowdon [3].
North Wales attracts around £1.8 billion in visitor spending per year and has the highest share of tourism-focused enterprises across Wales (12.8% of local businesses). [4]. Heritage and culture play a central role, with multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Edwardian castles (Conwy, Caernarfon, Harlech, Beaumaris), the Slate Landscape, and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. [5].
Transport is a strength. The A55 expressway links to the M56 for Manchester Airport and the wider motorway network. Direct rail links connect Holyhead–Chester–London Euston. Holyhead is a major Ireland–UK gateway; ports at Mostyn and Holyhead support offshore wind operations Bangor University and the Menai Science Park (M-SParc) anchor research and innovation, especially in marine, environmental, and digital sectors [6].
The North Wales Metro project is enhancing rail, light rail, and bus integration, especially linking Wrexham, Deeside, Liverpool, and Anglesey [7]. Holyhead is the UK’s second busiest roll-on/roll-off port in the UK, handling over 1.6 million passengers a year. [8] [9].