Things to see and do Conwy (Sir Conwy)

Trefriw's extraordinary location has led to the creation of 8 hiking routes from the village. These have really been designed to let you discover the most beautiful aspects of the surrounding nature.

A one-hour tour takes you along the Conwy River. Another one takes you in 30 minutes to the river Crafnant. You can also reach the lake of the same name, reputed to be one of the most beautiful in the area, in 3 hours of walking. One of the routes also leads to the Snowdonia Park and offers splendid views of the valley.

Built between 1283 and 1289 by Edward ^I, Conwy is one of the castles commissioned by the King. It took 6 years and 1,500 workers to build the ramparts and fortress, a feat of ^13th-century military architecture. In peacetime, 30 soldiers could protect the castle, as it was built in such a way as to prevent the enemy from entering. In those days, the nobles lived in the towers and the soldiers slept in what was once the great hall below. The inner courtyard was accessible by water. The panoramic view from the turrets is magnificent.

Swallow Falls (Rhaeadr Ewynnolin Welsh) is the highest continuous waterfall in Wales and one of the most visited sites in the region. Magnificent viewpoint, where the river Llugwy rushes into an impressive chasm.It is accessible year-round, but be aware that during the summer months, when there is less rainfall, the waterfall may be less spectacular. It is particularly recommended that you visit in the spring or fall, when the water level is at its highest.

For train enthusiasts and novices alike, a highly accessible and interactive museum that's sure to delight everyone. Inside, you'll find an exhibition room with photos and models of historic trains, while outside you'll find vintage locomotives that you can visit, and a miniature train on which you can take a ten-minute ride through the surrounding countryside. Finally, there's a comprehensive specialist store to round off your trip.

From the quay, you can choose from several options: a sea trip to Llandudno or Snowdonia (thirty minutes), a commented walk on the marine fauna (one hour) or a photographic cruise (1 hour 30). Depending on the weather and weather conditions, they also organize bird watching trips. In any case, it's the opportunity to discover Conwy and its surroundings from another point of view and if the weather is clear, it's really superb. Remember to cover up well in winter and autumn, it gets cold on the water quickly.

A bus takes you around the monuments and places of interest in the towns of Llandudno and Conwy, but also around the surrounding area, to discover the beaches and mountains. Allow one hour for the entire route.

Clarification. Hourly departures from the Pier of Llandudno. You can get off at the stop of your choice to spend more time on a beach or in a museum, then get back on the next bus.
Reservations can be made online and are best made in the summer

Past Swallow Falls, facing the Llugwy River, we come face to face with "The Ugly House", which looks more like a pile of stones than a house; even if we find it wildly charming! The reason would be that, at one time, any construction built in one day was tax-exempt! It was once a stopover for Irish farmers who drove their cattle to market.

Today, a small tea room has been set up, as well as an upstairs exhibition on the bee protection program undertaken here.

In the shadow of the castle, no fewer than three bridges span the estuary of the River Conwy and are well worth a visit.

The first is the Conwy Suspension Bridge. This is the oldest suspension bridge, built in 1826 by Thomas Telford, a Scottish architect and civil engineer who built many bridges and roads throughout the UK. Its suspension is made of wrought-iron chains, crossing the River Conwy. It is one of the world's first road suspension bridges. Its purpose was to provide a route for stagecoaches on their way to Holyhead. Telford's idea was also to harmonize the towers supporting the bridge with those of the nearby castle!

You can walk on this elegant footbridge, now reserved for pedestrians, which is part of Britain's cultural heritage due to its complex structure and is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Conwy Railway Bridge. The second is the covered tube bridge, built in 1848 and reserved for trains on the Llandudno-Bangor line. Another monument to the industrial revolution, this railway bridge was built by a certain Robert Stephenson, the originator of the steam train.

Modern Conwy Bridge. Modern road bridge carrying the A547, used from 1958 to relieve traffic congestion.

Most impressive of all is the fact that there is a fourth road into Conwy. But this one's underground, submerged beneath the river!

These three bridges make for a pleasant stroll along the River Conwy!

The smallest house in the country catches the eye with its bright red color. It dates back to the ^14th century and was inhabited until May 1900 by a fisherman measuring 1.80 meters! He was evicted after the house was declared uninhabitable due to its small size. He decided to go and measure small houses in the UK. By the end of his journey, he had proof that his was the smallest. It has since been listed in the Guinness Book of Records!

A natural reserve on the banks of the Conwy estuary, south of the Stephenson Railway Bridge, with magnificent views of Snowdonia and the castle. The marked paths make it possible to observe a wide variety of wildlife thanks to hidden places at strategic locations.

A large merchant house dating from 1577, topped by a tower from which you can see the whole town. This is one of the finest and rarest examples of Elizabethan urban housing.

Inside, the decoration is extremely meticulous. The period furnishings are full of surprises, including a bread-and-cheese cabinet that doubled as a closet for punished children. The fireplaces, whose lintels are carved with symbols of the English monarchy: the letters E and R for "Elizabeth Regina", or the portcullis, emblem of the British Parliament.

Don't miss Aberconwy House, the town's oldest merchant house dating back to the early ^14th century. Inside, rooms have been reconstructed to depict daily life in different periods of history. The little medieval house has seen it all in seven centuries: it has been a bakery, an antique store, a captain's house and even a hotel. It has also survived numerous disasters and a few fires. The tour is very instructive and well done for children, who won't get bored.

Bodnant Garden was born in 1874 out of the McLaren family's passion for plants. May, June and July are the best months to stroll through these 32 hectares of garden, when rhododendrons and shrubs are in bloom. It's one of the most beautiful gardens in the country. The corolla shades have been carefully harmonized. Perfectly maintained, it is the English garden par excellence. The most famous part is its 55 m long plant gallery, exclusively composed of cytises. In autumn, the landscape changes tone, the atmosphere becomes unreal and magical.

Formed over 300 million years ago. Saint Tudno built the first cell of his monastery here in the ^6th century. And it was the Vikings who gave it its name, Orme: "worm" or "sea serpent", derived from Old Norse. But it was not until the late ^19th century that the rock really became a tourist destination.

Since then, a tramway has been built, as well as a cable car and a large modern complex (Summit Complex), with cafés, restaurants and stores at its summit. Unfortunately, this complex has greatly distorted the site.

But if you step away from the hustle and bustle, you'll discover a natural environment rich in history, stone circles and prehistoric remains. Another surprise awaits you at the summit: the herd of Angora goats with their long, curved horns.

By car. Just follow the Marine Drive road. 6 km from the pier; toll: £3.50 in summer from 9am to 8pm and in winter from 9am to 4pm.

Streetcar (www.greatormetramway.co.uk). Departs every 20 minutes from Victoria Station - Church Walks. Open from 10am to 6pm April to September, until 5pm in October. Return adult fare: £11.50, children aged 3 to 16: £8.65

In service since 1902, this tramway offers a pleasant ride through the city. You can admire Llandudno's oldest houses at your leisure. There's a stop at the tiny Half Way Station platform, from where passengers can either continue on foot or board the second streetcar to the top.

Great Orme Mines is an opportunity to visit a vast cave housing old copper mines already exploited by our prehistoric ancestors. The mines have been exploited for more than 1,000 years, and the legacy left by the miners is immense. Great Orme Mines is the only Bronze Age mine open to the public in Europe. The guided tour (45 minutes) takes you through a maze of underground galleries and the Visitor Centre explores the history and archaeology of the site. Exciting and informative.

Overlooking Colwyn Bay and the Irish Sea, the view alone is worth a visit to the zoo! Camels, snow leopards, chimpanzees, alligators, parrots and many more live here. As part of its commitment to conservation and awareness-raising, the zoo organizes a wide range of activities for the general public, including interactive experiments with the animals and lectures on a variety of subjects. More than just a visit, a true educational discovery for the preservation and well-being of animals.