157
r Conwy
Conwy; LL32
At the mouth of an estuary spanned
by Telford’s 1826 suspension bridge,
Conwy is best known for its castle. The
turreted Conwy Castle (open daily) was
built by Master James of St George
using local stone in four years (1283–
87). The castle and the medieval town
walls have World Heritage status and
are Britain’s finest example of a bastide
or fortified town, with 21 towers, three
double gateways and a 1280-m
(4,200-ft) long wall.
There are other interesting historic
buildings in the town. Aberconwy
House (Apr–Oct: closed Tue) is a 14th-
century merchant’s house with period
displays; Plas Mawr (closed Mon) is one
of the finest surviving Elizabethan
town houses (1558–1603). Admire its
symmetry, the crow-stepped gables
and pedimented windows. The Potters
Gallery (www.thepottersgallery.co.uk),
further down the High Street has a
great collection of local ceramics. And
finally, on Conwy Quay, squeeze into
the Smallest House in Britain (Apr–Oct:
open daily) – it is 2.75 m (9 ft) high and
1.5 m (5 ft) wide and was last owned
by a 2-m (over 6-ft) tall fisherman!
Above left Inside the impressive outer ward in
World Heritage status Conwy Castle Above
centre The Knight’s Shop, selling suits of
armour opposite Conwy Castle Above right
Small fishing station on pretty Conwy EstuaryDRIVE 14: Through Snowdonia National Park
DAY TRIP OPTIONS
Several stops along the route make
ideal bases from which to explore
the area’s spectacular scenery,
historic sites and visitor attractions.A Photographers’ Treat
Starting from historic Machynlleth 1 ,
visit beautiful Tal-y-Llyn and enjoy
boating or fishing on the lake. Carry on
to Brithdir 2 , to see the church and
head to Llynnau Cregennan for a walk
in the shadow of Cadair Idris 3.Follow the drive’s instructions.Exploring Snowdonia
From Caernarfon 7 , see the castle
before heading for Llanberis, and a train
ride up Mt Snowdon 6. Then travel
through a mountain with the Electric
Mountain Centre. Finally, drive to pretty
Beddgelert 5 for the stunning scenery.Take the A4086 and A498; but return to
Caernarfon via the A4085.Anglesey Adventure
Staying at Beaumaris 8 , see the castle
and enjoy a morning cruise around
Puffin Island. Head to Moelfre 9 , andlearn about the island’s maritime history.
Then tour the beautiful home of the
Marquess of Anglesey, Plas Newydd q.
Follow the drive’s instructions.Family Fun
Explore the beach, take the tram up the
Great Orme to see the copper mines at
Llandudno t, then head to Conwy r
to tour the castle and have lunch. Drive
into the heart of Snowdonia to Betws-
y-Coed w, for a walk to Swallow Falls
or thrilling tree-top adventure.Take the A470 and A55.Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under £25; moderate, £25–£50; expensive, over £50t Llandudno
Conwy; LL30
Wales’ largest seaside resort, Llandudno
lies in a wide bay sheltered by two
limestone headlands, the Ormes. Most
of the town was laid out in 1849 with
grand buildings, a promenade – the
Parade and the longest pier in Wales.
The Great Orme is a 207-m (679-ft)
high promontory reached by road,
cable car (mid-Mar–Oct: open daily) and
a funicular tramway (open daily) with
spectacular views from the top.
Explore the Great Orme Mines (Mar–
Oct: open daily; http://www.greatormemines.info),
the world’s largest Bronze-Age copper
mine, through tunnels dug over 3,500
years ago. The Great Orme is a good
place for walking following the signed
nature trails, and winter sports fans will
enjoy skiing or tobogganing at the
Llandudno Ski and Snowboard Centre
(open daily; http://www.llandudnoskislope.co.uk).
Among the town’s other attractions
is the outstanding contemporary art
gallery Oriel Mostyn (01492 879 201;
http://www.mostyn.org) in Vaughan Street.EAT AND DRINKBETWS-Y-COED
Ty Gwyn Hotel inexpensive–moderate
This former coaching inn offers a range
of restaurant and bar meals such as roast
goose, smoked cod and cottage pie.
Betws-y-Coed, LL24 0SG; 01690 710
383; http://www.tygwynhotel.co.uk
AROUND TREFRIW
WOOLLEN MILLS
The Tannery moderate
This modern café/bistro on the A470
near Trefriw serves imaginative dishes
with Welsh flavours on a riverside terrace.
Willow St, Llanrwst; LL26 OES;
01492 640 172
CONWY
The Mulberry inexpensive–moderate
This pub on the Marina serves a range of
dishes from meat pies to pasta.
Ellis Way, Marina; LL32 8GU; 01492 583
350; http://www.themulberryconwy.com
Bistro Conwy moderate–expensive
Enjoy quality contemporary dishes
using Welsh produce at this little bistro
tucked under the old town walls.
26 Chapel St, LL32 8BP; 01492 596 326ª Leave Conwy on A547 over the
bridge and take A546 left to Llandudno.
Head for the seafront and promenade.