Things to see and do Conwy

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.

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.

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.