Penmaenmawr, when translated from the Welsh, means ‘Head of the Great Stone’. The name of this town, and the mountain after which it takes its title, hint at both its landscape and history. This former quarrying town was once a Victorian-era seaside resort of choice.
Overview of Penmaenmawr
Located on the coastline of North Wales, in Conwy County Borough between the old market town of Conwy and the old resort town of Llanfairfechan, the settlement of Penmaenmawr lies at the foot of Penmaenmawr Mountain to its west. The mountain, once crowned with a hillfort on its rounded summit, has been much altered by quarrying activity over the past centuries leaving the mountain with a distinctly flattened top.
The town of Penmaenmawr has an elegant feel of yesteryear, with its traditional beach huts along the award-winning Penmaenmawr Beach, which blends interestingly with a more modern renovated promenade, up to date skatepark and more traditional playground, paddling pool and ice cream kiosks. This is a traditional seaside holiday destination that runs at a somewhat quieter pace than some of its more bustling neighbours in this spectacular part of Wales.
What is Penmaenmawr Famous For?
One of its more famous historical visitors, Prime Minister William Gladstone, helped to put Penmaenmawr on the tourism map. The statesman spent many holidays here in the latter half of the 19th century. Gladstone’s affection for the area encouraged in no small part the growth in popularity of Penmaenmawr as a much favoured and trendy seaside resort destination at the time.
What Things Can You Do in Penmaenmawr
Nestled between the mountains and the sea Penmaenmawr has a host of walking trails in spectacular scenery to discover and is a great location to base yourself to explore all that North Wales and this beautiful region have to offer.
For hikers, there are walking trails that take you meandering through the Welsh hills. Along these trails ancient history transects the modern landscape with remains of old Roman roads and archaeological sites like Stone Age axe quarries and a fort that dates back to the Iron Age.
Taking the old historic route to Conwy is also a thrilling adventure worth experiencing, whether on foot, by bicycle or by car. On the way, you traverse the Sychnant Pass, which is undoubtedly one of Conwy’s best-kept secrets. This narrow pass in the Snowdonia National Park runs along the southerly slope of Mynydd y Dref, also known as Conwy Mountain.
The distance from Penmaenmawr to Conwy is about five miles in total and makes for a nice adventure to walk via the road and footpaths and then you can always get one of the relatively frequent public buses back from Conwy via the A55.
If you would like to really get to know the story of Penmaenmawr and immerse yourself in its rich history a visit to the Penmaenmawr museum is a must. The exhibitions here take you on a fascinating trip from Neolithic times through the Bronze Age and the archaeological finds from the nearby Meini Hirion stone circle, through the Iron age, and Middle Ages, the more recent history of local industry and the development of the quarry in the 1800s.
Meini Hirion, the druid’s circle as it is sometimes called, is a special place that is well worth taking the time to visit. The somewhat magical ceremonial site is located at a height of over 1300 feet and features spectacular vistas over Colwyn Bay and the surrounding landscape.
You will be literally tripping over history here as there are a host of other sites and objects of archaeological interest in the vicinity, including the legendary ‘swearing stone’, some chambered cairns, other stone circles and a hillfort now in ruins to be discovered nearby.
Back in the village of Penmaenmawr just on the outskirts you can while away a few hours relaxing in the beautiful public park called Parc Plas Mawr which was once part of the estate of the Darbishire Family, once owners of Penmaenmawr quarry.
Penmaenmawr Beach
The long sandy beach at Penmaenmawr is award-winning both in the Blue Flag and Seaside Award categories. With the stunning backdrop of the hills and mountains of Snowdonia to its south and fabulous views over the Menai Straits, Puffin island and Great Orme stretching out into the Irish sea ahead, you would be hard-pressed to find a more beautifully located strand.
Where is Penmaenmawr Beach?
Penmaenmawr beach is more than half a mile in length and runs adjacent to the Wales Coastal Path, between the town of Penmaenmawr and nearby Conwy. When the tide is out the beach is sandy while at high tide the foreshore consists of a mixture of pebbles and sand and overlooks Conwy Bay. It should be noted that this beach does not have a lifeguard service.
There is free parking at the west end of the promenade and accessibility to the beach itself is good. There are also public toilet facilities and the opportunity to hire one of the beach huts for extra comfort. The children’s play area beside the promenade has a paddling pool that small kids will love. While older kids and adventurous adults can try their hand at an endless array of water-based activities from canoes and kayaks to sailing, windsurfing, standup paddleboarding and much more.
Are dogs allowed on Penmaenmawr Beach?
You cannot bring your dog onto the seashore, foreshore or any of the steps or slopes that lead to Penmaenmawr beach during the summer season, from the 1st of May right through to the 30th of September. However at low tide, in specific and clearly marked areas on either end of Penmaenmawr beach, you can let your dog off lead to have a good run around.
To work out the perfect time to bring your furry friend to the beach check out the tide times on thebeachguide.co.uk. You can keep an eye on the weather forecast here too.
Restaurants in Penmaenmawr
The Village Bistro run by Joanne and her enthusiastic team is a wonderful place to grab a good meal in Penmaenmawr. Reasonable prices, generous portions, good food, lovely atmosphere with excellent service. What more could you ask for? For fish and chips, Stella House on Bangor Road won’t disappoint.
Places to Stay in Penmaenmawr and Camping in Penmaenmawr
There are a variety of caravan and camping sites in and around Penmaenmawr. Whether you are searching for a caravan with all the mod cons in a well-serviced family-friendly site, a romantic glamping experience for two in a rustic cabin or Yurt, or a simple pitch to put up your trekking tent for a night there is an option for you. Check out campsite.co.uk to discover the wide range of choices available to you.
Is Penmaenmawr A Nice Place to Live?
Penmaenmawr is certainly an interesting town with a long history and it is situated in one of the most beautiful landscapes in Wales. A holiday is one thing but what would it be like to put down roots in Penmaenmawr?
Well, you can get yourself a semi-detached home in Penmaenmawr for under £200,000, the broadband is good and it’s a relatively short drive to Liverpool airport. The town has good rail connectivity with its own train station and you can get from Penmaenmawr to Manchester Piccadilly in just a little over two hours by rail.
Once you visit Penmaenmawr you may well fall in love and find your forever home in this pretty old seaside resort in North Wales and all things considered, that would not be a bad choice.