Often described as the gateway to the Snowdonia national Park, that doesn’t mean you should skip a holiday in Conwy. This is an area steeped in history, from the mighty Conwy castle to the ancient city of Conwy right at the heart of the county. Surrounding this, you’ll discover traditional seaside towns and lush green valleys. The one thing you’ll hear time and time again is that the views are spectacular – whatever time of year you visit.
Where to stay
Trwyn Yr Wylfa caravan and camping site, Penmaenmawr
10 minutes drive from Conwy this award winning, level, grassy campsite is complete with spectacular sea views. A great base for exploring Conwy and Snowdonia.
Cefn Cae Camping Site, Rowan
A small, quiet, family campsite situated in the Snowdonia National Park and just three miles from Conwy, there is plenty for families to enjoy close by and you can walk straight from the campsite.
Dinarth Hall, Llandudno
Located between Llandudno and Colwyn bay, within walking distance of both, Dinarth Hall is a level, family run campsite based on a working farm.
Conwy Days out
Best for families: Conwy Castle and the town of Conwy
A magnificent medieval fortress that has stood overlooking the Town of Conwy for 700 years, the castle was built for Edward I and is one the most impressive surviving medieval fortifications in Britain. Climb the spiral staircase in one of its great towers and walk the entire circuit of the battlements. The views are breathtaking across Conwy, from the mountains to the sea to the roof of the great hall beneath you.
The beautiful market town of Conwy, with quaint cobbled streets and plenty of nooks to explore, is still surrounded by ancient walls.Take time to visit Plas Mawr, a well preserved Elizabethan House, or Aberconwy house, a rare 14th century merchant’s house. Along the quay, you can discover Britain’s smallest house – just 72 inches wide by 122 inches high.
Best for gardens: Bodnant Gardens
Set on a hillside with 80 acres of stunning gardens, including manicured lawns, grand flowering terraces, water gardens and wildflower meadows, is Bodnant Gardens. Roses in spring, wildflowers in summer, rich leaf colours in autumn and stunning winter displays, there’s something to see all year round here. If you visit in late May to early June, be sure to catch the beautiful Laburnum arch, with flowers cascading down from the branches like golden rain. The garden is also home to one the world’s finest rose gardens and a collection of around 170 Champion tree species.
Best for history: Great Orme Country Park
This headland in Llandudno is a huge chunk of limestone rich in natural and man-made history. You can walk or drive to the visitor centre at the top, but why not catch the Llandudno cable car to see breathtaking panoramic views on the way – or hop on the Great Orme Tramway, the only cable hauled tram in Britain. On the way up, make sure you keep a look out for the Kashmiri Goat, originally gifted to Queen Victoria from the Shah of Persia.
The other big (and by big, we mean BIG) attraction of the Great Orme is the largest prehistoric copper mines, first mined over 4000 years ago and active for about 1000 years over that time. 5 miles of tunnels and passageways were dug, with the copper being used for jewellery and weapons. You can visit the mines and learn all about the history. The flora and fauna of this fascinating headland hasn’t changed much; many of the flowers here evolved around the Ice age and a rare butterfly called the Silver Studded Blue can be found here.
Conwy Beaches
Best for families: Llandudno
Llandudno has two award winning beaches; North Shore and West Shore. North Shore, a rocky beach with sandy patches, is the more popular of the two, offering a wide promenade, childrens paddling pool, donkey rides, Punch and Judy shows and a spectacular Victorian pier (the longest in Wales). West Shore is a quieter sandy beach backed by sand dunes, offering respite and beautiful sunsets. Both beaches have dog restrictions but plenty of areas where they can enjoy the beach as well.
Best for dogs: Conwy Morfa
A sandy beach a short drive from Conwy, this rural sandy beach, backed by shingle and grassy dunes, is popular with dog walkers and bird watchers. If you collect sea glass, then this is a beach not to miss. Dogs are allowed all year round and please be aware of tide times if walking on the beach at low tide.
Best for rock pools: Penrhyn Bay
A fairly quiet and shingle beach which becomes sandy nearer the water, Penrhyn Bay is best known for its rock pools, which contain an abundance of wildlife. Between September and January, the beach sometimes becomes a breeding ground for seals. Along the top of the sea wall is a cycle and walking path that gives stunning views of the surrounding hilly coastline. Dogs are allowed on this beach but must be kept under control if seals are breeding.
See this
Dolwyddelan Castle
It may not be as big as Conwy castle, but what it lacks in size is made up for in dramatic location. A lonely battlement tower, built in the 13th Century by Llewelyn the Great, atop a craggy outcrop high above the A470 road, here you’ll find stunning views over the Lledr Valley. Take time to climb the keep and take in those spectacular views of the valley, a tranquil place surrounded by lush green countryside.
Conwy Falls
Set in a 10 acre Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Conwy Falls is a designated ancient native woodland running through the deep gorge of the Fairy Glen. There is an attractive cafe which was designed by Sir William Clough Ellis to complement the architecture of Portmeirion, but if you would prefer to take a picnic then head to the meadow wfor panoramic views of the area.
Do this
Take a train journey through the beautiful Conwy Valley
The Conwy Valley line starts from the seaside resort of Llandudno, following the River Conwy, one of the largest rivers in Wales, then alongside the River Lledr, with wild banks, which merges with the River Conwy at Betws-y-Coed. You will pass historic Conwy castle, through an estuary rich in wildlife, to gentle slopes that give way to magnificent rock formations, as the train travels over the impressive Pont Gethin Railway viaduct across the River Lledr. You will also get views of Snowdonia and Dolwyddelan castle on this 27 mile journey, making it one of the most beautiful and scenic railway experiences in Britain.
Drive the Sychnant pass
The Sychnant Pass is a deep cleft between Alltwen, to the north, and Maen Esgob, to the south. Sychnant, translates to ‘dry valley’. Start the route at Conwy, via the Upper Gate in the town walls, pass the high stone walls of the Pensychnant Estate (a Conservation and wildlife reserve) and emerge to take in the superb views. You’ll drive past a stone circle, an Iron Age hillfort and the Fairy Glen, a Victorian inn. The Pass can be walked, with the best route being the old track below the road and as you descend. And don’t forget to shout at the scree slope opposite, to hear the echo! (echo!)
Eat this
Conwy Mussels
The clear waters from the mountain springs of Snowdonia mixed with the sea water means this the perfect environment for colourful and rich tasting mussels to grow. Head to Conwy Mussels Company on the quay in Conwy. These mussels are sustainably hand raked, with traditional wooden rakes, from the seabed where they naturally form and can be purchased from their shop in winter months for you to take home and enjoy. Mussel season runs from September to April.
Ice Cream from Parisella’s Ice Cream Parlour
Parisella’s have been making award winning ice cream in Conwy for over 60 years. They have a huge range of flavours, such as amaretto & black cherry, blue banana, triple chocolate and toffee fudge – as well as the traditional ones too. You can have ice cream in a cone (gluten free available), on a waffle, in a cup, in a milkshake or in a sundae, the choice is yours!
Drink this
Haulfre Tearooms
Set in the picturesque Haulfre Gardens, a short walk across the face of the Great Orme, this cafe offers a delightful place to sit and relax as well as fantastic views.
The Mulberry
With views over the marina in Conwy and out across the Conwy Estuary to Llandudno, The Mulberry truly is the perfect place to sit back, relax and enjoy a drink (or two).
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