One of the best preserved Mediaeval towns in Britain, the town of Conwy on the north coast of Wales, is a truly outstanding place. Its cultural and historical significance is recognised by its designation as a World Heritage Site. Its commanding town walls, magnificent soaring castle towers complete with Disney-esque turrets and elegant suspension bridge all come together to lend the town a magical charm.
On top of this obvious appeal, Conwy’s location as the gateway to the majestic mountains of Snowdonia plus its proximity to the coast and the popular resort of Llandudno, make for an idyllic holiday destination.
On your approach into this pretty town, situated on the estuary where the Conwy River joins the Irish Sea, the stunning castle of Conwy looms into view to welcome you, many miles before you arrive.
Conwy Castle
This well-preserved 13th-century castle was built by Edward the First, during the conquest of Wales. Renowned architect, James of St George, completed the construction of the castle and town walls in the astonishingly short time of just four years.
Restoration of the tower’s spiral staircases opened up visitor access and you can now walk a complete circuit atop the castle battlements. This is a must-visit if only for the panoramic vista from vantage points atop the turrets and town walls. The view extends to a horizon of rugged mountains in Snowdonia, down to the quaint harbour and narrow streets of the walled town below. The castle opens daily from 9.30 am to 6 pm in the high season. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing but it’s recommended to give yourself a few hours for the full experience; to take time to feel the 700 years of history and for a few breaks to take calming breaths while climbing the narrow spiral stairs, to check out the exhibitions and to visit the gift shop.
Conwy Walks
Conwy County is known for its walking trails and there is a variety to suit all interests and abilities. While away a couple of hours exploring the town, take the self-guided tour of Conwy with the help of the free map and interpretative QR codes. You can also download a free audio guide to bring you on a journey through time from the town’s mediaeval beginnings up to the present day.
Take in some of the famous Wales Coast Path on a leisurely walk from Conwy Marina to Deganwy Marina. This gentle, signposted trail, 3 miles in length, quickly leaves the bustling sounds of town and traffic behind you, to enjoy tranquil views overlooking the pretty river Conwy as you cross over to Deganwy.
Conwy Pirate Festival
One of the biggest events on the calendar, the Conwy Pirate Festival made a welcome return in summer 2022. After a couple of years of laying low, the pirates were thrilled to get back to their swashbuckling, pillaging ways, while locals, visitors and innocent bystanders quickly fell into line. With the arrival of the pirate ship into the harbour, pirates laid siege to Conwy Castle and the town soon fell. Residents and visitors put up little by way of a fight and were seen taking part in pirate-themed games, from barrel-rolling to walking the plank, to competitive treasure hunting, to enjoying live shows around the town.
If you can plan your visit to Conwy around this annual staple it comes highly recommended for a great atmosphere and pure quirky fun.
Bodnant Gardens
For nature lovers, the world-class gardens of Bodnant cannot be missed. Home to nationally significant botanical collections and champion trees, this garden has been lovingly curated and developed for over 150 years. Lawns, terraces and colourful flower beds sweep away to beautiful forests and down to the river. The backdrop to this already gorgeous setting is the stunning Cardennau Mountains. It’s very easy to spend hours in this tranquil place.
Pack a picnic to enjoy at one of the many picnic benches or visit one of two tearooms, the Pavilion, near the car park, or the Magnolia tea room by the garden centre. You can also get refreshments from the kiosk in The Dell at weekends and holidays.
Conwy Beach
Just a short drive from Conwy town centre brings you to the beach known as Conwy Morfa on the south bank of the river estuary. This large sandy beach lies adjacent to the Wales Coastal Path and is relatively quiet, with great opportunities for birdwatching and fishing and clear views all the way out to Great Orme and Llandudno. There are few experiences as special as watching the sun setting over Puffin Island from this vantage point. You can paddle in the water here but the tide comes in quickly and the water level dips off quickly. Conwy Morfa is most popular as a dog-friendly, walking beach, and if you are swimming here be advised there are no lifeguards in attendance.
Conwy Marina
If you’re part of the sailing community you will likely already know about Conwy Marina. One of Boatfolks’ eleven top marinas on the UK coast, Conwy Marina is conveniently located only a short stroll from the beach and very close to Conwy Golf Club.
A great base to explore the North Wales coast, the Menai Straits and Anglesey or to berth your boat as you venture into the landscape of North Wales. Conwy Quays Marina offers 500 secure berths with excellent boating and cruising opportunities in the area. Award Winning Penmaenmawr beach, Colwyn Bay and the Victorian resort town of Llandudno are all within easy reach. The charming Conwy Marina Village is built around the marina with shops and “The Mulberry” pub restaurant.
Visit the Unique Shops
One of the most appealing aspects of shopping in Conwy is the number of independently owned shops. In fact, it’s one of the top places in the United Kingdom for independent retailers with less than one in ten stores chain-owned. The only chain stores you’ll really come across are the ubiquitous Costa Coffee, Spar and Fat Face. The charm of the walled town is matched by award-winning local businesses like the butchers ‘Edwards of Conwy’ and the unpassable chocolatier ‘Baravellis’. Independent, unique boutiques, bookshops, toy shops and cafés and restaurants create a vibrant atmosphere. From humble beginnings, the locally owned Knight Shop has become the largest supplier of swords and armour in Europe and it’s not the only success story in this independent town.
Visit the Smallest House in Britain
The biggest highlight of your trip might just be the smallest house in Great Britain. Long before Tiny Homes became a trend, this adorable wedge-shaped miniature two-storey home was built in Conwy, more than 400 years ago.
Measuring in at a mere 122 inches in height and 72 inches wide, the pint-sized home is nestled snugly into the gable end of a row of regular-size terraced cottages on Conwy’s quayside. The last resident of the Guinness World Record-breaking tiny home was a fisherman called Robert Jones who must have struggled to fit his lofty 6’3” frame within the confines of the two minuscule rooms. Although not lived in since 1900 the interior is perfectly preserved and receives about 55000 visitors every year. Make sure to pop by.
Tour Plasmawr
From Britain’s smallest house to Britain’s finest house. We depart the humble quayside abode for a much grander address, to a townhouse often acknowledged as the finest surviving example of its kind from the Elizabethan Age. Plas Mawr, translates as the Great Hall. Boasting no less than 17 grandiose rooms, the mansion was bought by Robert Wynn a local landowner’s son, on return from making his fortune abroad while visiting the most splendid and lavish royal courts across Europe. Plas Mawr is open from April 1st to October 31st and a family ticket for 2 adults and 3 children will set you back £18.40. If you’re looking for a fancy venue for your very special day you can now get married in the fabulous surroundings of Plas Mawr!
Welsh Mountain Zoo
Snow leopards, chimpanzees and camels are probably not animals you would associate with North Wales, but a visit to the Welsh Mountain Zoo will soon change that! This zoo occupies 37 acres with the stunning Cardennau Mountains as its glorious backdrop. Known as the National Zoo of Wales, it was founded by the Jackson family in the 60s – making it the oldest zoo in Wales.
The collection of over 100 species and the landscaped gardens with many rare and endangered flora, attract large crowds each year. With some top animal conservation accreditations to its name the Welsh Mountain Zoo has conservation at the heart of its ethos and takes pride in its captive breeding programmes as important conservation work. If you want to get up close and personal on your visit – feed a penguin or watch a big cat devour its lunch – you can try a special Animal Encounter Experience or Become a Zookeeper for a day.
Visit the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art
A unique institution in Wales, the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art, is located on Crown Lane in Conwy town. What makes this gallery special is that it is an independent charity that promotes Welsh Art and Artists. With over 100 artist members involved in the Academy, exhibitions of their work are regularly exhibited and sold here. Members are visual artists, painters, sculptors, printmakers, photographers, textile artists and architects, with a shared connection to Wales or living in Wales.
Up-and-coming artists get an opportunity to shine and if you are searching for a unique, quality contemporary piece of Art here is a great place to start. They also run a wide range of educational events and workshops for adults and children.
Telford Suspension Bridge
Just a half hour’s drive southwest along the coast will bring you to the famous Menai Suspension Bridge designed by Thomas Telford. This, the world’s first major suspension bridge, spans the fast-flowing waters of the Menai Strait between the mainland and the Isle of Anglesey. A triumph of engineering, it was the biggest suspension bridge in the world for a time, over 1200 feet in length and standing nearly a hundred feet above the water to allow tall ships to sail beneath. The true scale of this remarkable structure is best appreciated from the base of the bridge which can be reached a short walk from the town along the Belgian Promenade.
Wine and Dine at Conwy’s Multiple Restaurants
With all there is to explore in and around Conwy, you’re bound to build up a healthy appetite. Well, never fear, there are plenty of opportunities to wine and dine. If you like to start your day well-fuelled, Amelies on the High Street is the go-to for a hearty breakfast or for a slice of lemon and blueberry cake with a coffee.
If you love dining in historic locations, in ornate surroundings, and imagining sharing your meal with famous figures from bygone eras, then treat yourself to a visit to the Castle restaurant. The aforementioned Thomas Telford and the world-famous William Wordsworth were both guests here. Serving up pub food with a sophisticated flourish this former 19th-century Coaching Inn will charm you.
Conwy Falls
Visiting the ten-acre Conwy Falls Forest Park is a must for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors. The highlight is the Waterfall that cuts a deep gorge through the fairy glen within the park. This park is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest for its population of native broadleaf trees and rich habitat. The park is intersected with many paths and viewing areas, the pathways are natural tracks with some rocks and tree roots and at places are steep so unsuitable for buggies or those less mobile. £1.50 entrance fee helps cover the costs of maintaining the walks.
RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve
Birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts can visit Conwy nature reserve. Managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds the Reserve comprises 47 hectares of mixed grassland, scrub and wetland, to the East of Conwy estuary. The wetlands were created from material left over after the A55 tunnel was built in the late 80s. Opened to the public in 1995 it has become a popular place to come see a variety of warblers, waders and wildfowl. RSPB members get in for free. A family ticket costs £15. Walk the boardwalk, take in the lagoons or follow the circular trail through scrub and grassland to the edge of the estuary with its mudflats and saltmarsh. The sight and sounds of birds, butterflies and dragonflies accompany you in summer. Visit in June to catch the orchids in bloom.
Conwy Suspension Bridge
You don’t have to be a nerd to appreciate the feat of engineering of this splendid bridge spanning the Estuary to Conwy Castle. Suspension cables are firmly anchored into the walls and rock structure of the castle itself. It was designed to sympathetically match the castle with its crenellations. One of the first road suspension bridges in the world, it was completed in 1826. Traffic is no longer allowed on the bridge which is now a Grade 1-listed structure. The bridge, designed by Thomas Telford, echoes the style of his other famous work the Menai Suspension Bridge which opened just a few months prior. The suspension bridge in Conwy is in the care of the National Trust with free access to walk it from the foot of the castle walls.
Conwy Golf Club
Hosting the Curtis Cup Championship in 2021, Conwy Golf Club is billed as one of the finest links courses in Wales and is worth a visit for its beautiful location alone. Sited at the mouth of the Conwy River, the backdrop for your round of golf here includes the Conwy estuary, views out to Great Orme and Conwy Mountain or Mynydd y Dref. There is a comfortable lounge and bar in the Golf Clubhouse and the restaurant serves quality food. The dress code is not overly formal and in the clubhouse, they advise smart, casual attire. Offering competitive green fee rates throughout the year with special package deals and group discounts, Conwy Golf Club is a unique golfing experience with a challenging but fair links course.