Conwy Holiday Cottages
With a foreboding castle set against a mountainous backdrop, the medieval walled town of Conwy has everything on offer: beaches, mountains and bustling villages alongside festivals, art galleries, restaurants and excellent shopping making a great holiday location.
CONWY
Historic Conwy in North Wales is a fantastic place for a holiday. The magnificent 13th century castle dominates proceedings, along with the town walls – they’re so well preserved that they’ve been listed as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The quayside is a great place for a stroll, or to enjoy some delicious fish and chips and ice cream. Conwy is a thriving market town with a great selection of pubs, delis, cafés, and independent shops to explore.
With easy access to the mountains, coastline, and beaches of Eryri (Snowdonia), Conwy is a great holiday base and well placed for accessing many of the region’s best adventures.
Things to do in Conwy
Conwy’s famous must-visit castle is incredibly well-preserved, boasting the most intact medieval royal apartments in Wales. Its towering walls and eight impressive towers are just as awe-inspiring as they were over 700 years ago—it is without question one of the most magnificent medieval fortresses on the planet.
A stroll along Conwy’s medieval town walls is a great way to get another perspective on the town. You’ll find over 1.2km of walls to explore, offering stunning views of the harbour, castle, Conwy Mountain, and Llandudno.
Don’t miss the quirky Smallest House in Great Britain, tucked away at the end of a terrace on Conwy’s quayside. It’s a national treasure and well worth a quick visit. Just a short stroll away, you can also check out Plas Mawr, the finest surviving Elizabethan townhouse in Britain.
For a peaceful escape, head to nearby Bodnant Gardens, nestled at the foot of Eryri in the Conwy Valley. With 80 acres to explore and a gorgeous mountain backdrop, it’s a beautiful spot for a picnic. Dogs are welcome into the gardens – a National Trust property – on certain days.
Conwy is close to some fantastic beaches, including an enormous expanse of golden sands at Conwy Morfa Beach, which comes with big views of Y Gogarth (the Great Orme) and Ynys Môn (Anglesey). Over in nearby Llandudno, West Shore Beach offers the full seaside experience, with a sandy beach, pier, ice cream, arcades, and fish and chips.
Off the beaten track ideas:
Climb up Conwy Mountain – you can’t come to Conwy without climbing Conwy Mountain. Expect grassy whaleback humps rather than the rugged peaks of Eryri, with stunning panoramic views taking in mountains and coast including Puffin Island and Ynys Môn. If you’re lucky, you’ll meet the mountain’s resident population of wild ponies.
Take a picnic to a beautiful lake – head to nearby Llyn Crafnant, just a few miles down the Conwy Valley. On the edge of the Gwydir Forest, the lake comes with magnificent views of Mount Siabod, Yr Wyddfa, and Tryfan. There’s a lovely circular walk which is suitable for little legs (2.5 miles) as well as buggies and prams. On your way back, why not stop off for some refreshments at one of the Conwy Valley’s wonderful rural pubs? Try the Ye Olde Bull Inn in Llanbedr, or the Ty Gwyn Inn in Rowen.
Conwy sits at the mouth of the River Conwy, where the mountains of Eryri meet the coast. It is close to Llandudno, Colwyn Bay, and Betws y Coed.
There is no shortage of great places to eat out in Conwy. Some of our favourites include The Erskine Arms, Johnny Doughs, and Dylan’s. Head to Tir a Môr for fresh fish and chips, and Parisella’s for delicious Welsh ice cream. A little further out of town, you’ll find the historic Groes Inn – a 16th century coaching inn in a beautiful Conwy Valley setting. For stocking up at home, don’t miss delicious local deli treats at Edwards of Conwy, Dylan’s General Store, Vinomondo, and The Cheese Room. Bodnant Gardens has an excellent farm shop.
Conwy is around 15 miles from Zip World Betws y Coed, where the adventures include Fforest Coaster, Treetop Nets, Zip Safari, and a giant Skyride swing. Book online in advance. Alternative adventure attractions near Conwy include mountain biking at Gwydir Mawr & Bach (the Marin Trail), family fun at GreenWood Forest Park, and Go Below’s thrilling underground assault course. For all sorts of water sports tuition and equipment hire, head to Plas Menai.
