A Guide to the Best Things to do in Conwy Wales
Are you searching for things to do in Conwy today? It is a fantastic option for a family holiday on the North Wales coast. The historic mediaeval Conwy town is in Conwy County and has many attractions to enjoy. The picturesque town is small and compact and is surrounded by large landmark walls and a grand 13th-century castle.
It is often the perfect base to explore the surroundings, including Snowdonia National Park and Anglesey. However, there are so many Conwy tourist attractions that you can easily spend a while exploring and not see everything in the small town. The name in Welsh means cyn (chief) and gwy (water), and you won’t be able to miss the water on your next visit to the pretty harbour town with its cobbled streets.
How to get to Conwy, North Wales
It is hard to believe, but Conwy is very close to Manchester and Liverpool, and you can visit the town from both cities’ airports in just over an hour by car. There are also trains from all over the UK, as there is a convinient train station in the centre.
When is the best time to visit Conwy Wales?
Conwy has several events throughout the year, but it is a year-round destination, with most tourists visiting in spring and summer, when the weather is better and milder.
- In October, for the Gwledd Conwy Feast.
- In May for the Pirate Festival.
- In December for the mediaeval Christmas parades.
The Best Things to do in Conwy North Wales Map
The 16 Best Things to do in Conwy North Wales
Smallest House – Quay House
One of the best places to visit in Conwy is Quay House, which is known to be the smallest in Britain.
Interestingly, the house was built in the 16th century and was used until 1900, when the last person who lived there was asked to leave.
The house is 10 feet deep and almost 6 feet wide, and inside there is a living area downstairs and a bedroom upstairs! Inside, you can imagine what it must have been like to live here as a fisherman.
If you want to go, you can visit for £1.50 (adult) and 50p (children).
Conwy Castle
One of the most famous Conwy tourist attractions is the 700 hundred-year-old Conwy Castle – the largest Castle in Wales and a World Heritage Site. It is one of the best mediaeval fortresses in Europe, with incredible spiral staircases which enable a visitor to walk around the Castle and overlook the town and Snowdonia’s mountains. There are eight highly well-preserved towers.
Conwy Castle is truly one of the best things to see in Conwy. It is the largest Castle in Wales and has guarded the town for over 400 years. Unfortunately, it was severely damaged during the English Civil War and remained derelict from 1646 until Victorian engineers rebuilt it. Today, you can visit its ancient bailey, royal residential quarters and a 12th-century keep (Gibbet!).
Current prices: Adult – £11.50, Family – £36.60, Disabled – free, Juniors – £7.80 and Seniors- £10.60.
Walk the Castle Walls
These walls are among the finest and most complete examples of mediaeval town walls in Europe. They run around Conwy’s mediaeval centre for three-quarters of a mile and contain 21 towers and three original gateways. Conwy’s town walls are a great way to see this beautiful mediaeval town. They’re perfect for those interested in history, built hundreds of years ago to protect newcomers who wanted to take over this part of Wales. The best part is it is completely free to wander around the walls.
Aberconwy House
The National Trust owned Aberconwy House is one of the best Conwy Tourist attractions. It is a 14th- century merchant’s house that survived centuries. Unfortunately, this Conwy attraction is currently closed, but you can check when it will reopen on the National Trust website.
Sychnant Pass
Visiting Sychnant Pass is one of the best things to do in Conwy, North Wales. Visit this stunning hill pass on a day out you’ll never forget and enjoy some fresh air surrounded by mountains and beautiful scenery. Have you got your camera handy? You’ll want to snap a photo of Sychnant Pass as you drive through it.
Bodnant Garden
One of the best things to do in Conwy, North Wales, has to be a visit to the fabulous Bodnant Garden. Bodnant Garden is a stunning National Trust garden that dates back to 1759, when James Ainslie planted specimen trees, including the Sail, London and Chusan palms. Today there are more than 400 species grown in this fantastic garden! Bodnant Gardens is a serene space – perfect for a leafy stroll. In addition, this 17th-century manor house offers incredible gardens and woodland walks.
Boat Trips
One of the best Conwy tourist attractions is the boat trips they offer. A good option is Queen Victoria and Princess Christine, a family-run business. They run their cruises from February to October, and you can check whether or not they are running on their board on the quayside. It is a pretty cool way to see the city!
Llandudno
One of the best places to visit near Conwy is Llandudno. Llandudno is famous as a seaside resort in the Welsh County of Conwy and the second biggest town in Wales. It’s located in the beautiful Snowdonia Mountains with a view of the Great Orme headland and Penrhyn Bay. This Victorian gem is loved by tourists and residents alike for its picturesque streets, railway station, and pier.
Please read: 16 Best Things to do in Llandudno Wales
Plas Mawr
Plas Mawr is a remarkable Elizabethan mansion and is one of the best Conwy tourist attractions. The house took its name from the Irish for the great hall and was built in 1584 for a wealthy local merchant, Robert Wynn, by John Wynn, a stonemason. If there was ever a house that reflected the times in which it was built, then Plas Mawr is undoubtedly it.
Cost: £8.30 for an adult and £5.80 for Juniors.
Snowdonia National Park
If you want to get the most out of your trip to Conwy, it’s evident that you’ll need to visit Snowdonia National Park. It is easily one of the best things to do near Conwy. Snowdonia National Park is a stunning mountainous region in the north of Wales. The park is well-known for its glaciers, waterfalls, and the famous peaks of Snowdon and Yr Wyddfa (Yr Wyddfa) – which offer the best views in Britain.
Near Conwy is the incredible Aber Falls – we have a guide to the walk here: Aber Falls Walk.
Conwy Marina
When it comes to the best things to do in Conwy, North Wales, you can never go wrong with a visit to Conwy Marina. Located on the banks of the River Conwy, this marina is one of the most popular attractions in this part of North Wales. The marina boasts a tea room, shops, and so much more it’s worth a visit. In addition, it offers something different to walking around Conwy town.
Good to know: walk along the path next to the water to get here from the town. It is beautiful.
Conwy Suspension Bridge
One of the best things to do in Conwy is to walk along the Conwy Suspension Bridge. The bridge is a Grade I-listed structure and is one of the first road suspension bridges in the world. The original chain-link suspension bridge was replaced as it was not strong enough to support heavier traffic and was replaced by an iron lattice bridge and opened on March 30, 1822. Today it is owned by the National Trust, and you can walk along with it as if you were walking to the Castle. It is worth a stroll.
Great Orme and Llandudno Cable Car
One of the best things to do near Conwy is visiting the beautiful Llandudno. A trip up to the summit of the Great Orme on the Llandudno Cable Car is a definite highlight. On June 30 1969, they were opened as Britain’s longestpassenger cable car system. As the cable cars go from Happy Valley to the summit of the Great Orme, 679 feet up, you can take in the breathtaking panoramic views of the Bay of Llandudno, The Little Orme, and the Conwy Estuary and miles out over the sea.
Conwy Mountain
If you love the outdoors and want to make the most of your adventure holiday in North Wales, you should consider a walk-up Conwy Mountain. This walk takes two to three hours to complete.
Conwy Mountain (Mynydd y Dref) only rises to 783 feet but is an attractive option. A circular walk to the top is a great outing using tracks and mountain paths. The walk starts by the sea in Conwy and passes Conwy Marina to climb steadily to the summit, where you will find the ancient Iron hillfort of Castell Caer Seion (sometimes called Castell Caer Lerion).
Conwy Morfa Beach
Conwy Morfa is a golden, tourist-friendly stretch of beach found a short drive from Conwy. This rural beach offers a vast expanse of marshy, golden sand backed by dunes dominated by the grassy slope of Mynydd y Dref (Conwy Mountain). The beach links up with others in the Colwyn Bay area when the tide is out. Remember to check tide times before you go, as you can get cut off at low tide. This beach is usually less busy than others in the area.
RSPB Conwy
Everyone loves to play outside and explore the world around them. RSPB Conwy is a go-to place for people who love nature. As well as plenty of outdoor activities, kids will love running wild in the outdoor play area. There are quizzes and trails with viewpoints and hides to make the most of your visit. Home to lots of wildlife, including everything from water moths to warblers and common butterflies, it’s genuinely a great place for nature lovers. Two hundred seventy plant species have been recorded too!
We hope this list has given you some ideas for things to do in Conwy. Like most places in North Wales, you can never really run out of attractions in Conwy. There are always many things to do, despite the small town and population! Let us know what you get up to in the comments. Happy exploring!
Photo Credits: averagelives.com
