Iris Hotel - Conwy

IRIS HOTEL Redefining Hospitality 16 Central Promenade,Llandudno, Conwy LL30 2XT t: 01492 868800 w: www.irishotel.co.uk

GUEST INFORMATION

ABOUT THE HOTEL ROOMS/POLICIES: A lift is available in the hotel (Mobility Scooters, Wheelchairs or push chairs are prohibited from using the lift).

The view from the rooms is not very agreeable as you can notice the next door hotel car park and the area where the trolley bins are.

Annex building does not have a lift.

*A travel cot can be provided on request on arrival. *Iron and iron facilities can also be provided on request on arrival.

We do not have or promise any facilities for disabled people. *If the lift breaks down it is not the hotel Manager’s responsibility, because this issue will be out of our hands to deal with and we will not do refunds.

If you have breathing difficulties, walking difficulties or if you know you cannot manage stairs please do not book our hotel.

• All the sea view rooms have a king sized bed: two single beds pushed together. (can be with bath or shower) • All double rooms have one double bed only (can be with bath or shower) • All twin rooms have two single beds only.

• All family rooms have two double beds.

All the “small double rooms annex’s have shower cubicle, double bed, a small little desk and stool and wardrobe. The annex building is situated behind the Iris hotel property.

All hotel rooms have toiletries, 2 bath towels, 1 hand towel, 1 bath mat and 1 towel mat.

Tea/coffee facilities, 1 kettle, 1 hairdryer. We can provide an iron and ironing board on request only.

These can be found on a big tray situated in the room wardrobe.

No pets allowed (policy applies) No smoking and no drugs allowed (policy applied).

The hotel does not have a private car park.

Parking is available along the Promenade (no charges from 16:00 to 10:00 the next day).

Parking is also available by the train station for just £2/12 hours (5-7 mins away) Venue Cymru car park for £5/24 hours (7-10 mins away)

BREAKFAST MENU Continental Choice 1 - Fruit Juice 2 - Choice of Cereals: Cornflakes, Weetabix or Rice Krispies 3 - Tea or Coffee 4 - White or Brown Bread 5 - Jam and Butter

Cooked Breakfast 1 - Full English Fried Egg, Fried Bread, Bacon, Sausage, Baked Tomato, Baked Beans, Mushrooms and Hash Brown.

2 - Poached Eggs on Toast 3 - Porridge served with Jam or Honey 4 - Boiled Eggs 5 - Scramble Eggs on Toast Please let the waiter know about any dietary requirement you have before they place the order to the Chef Hot Chocolate, Cappuccino, Latte are available for an extra charge - ÂŁ2.90

EVENING MEAL ANY 3 COARSE MEAL - £20 PER PERSON ANY 2 COARSE MEAL - £15 PER PERSON

Meals are served at 6.00pm - Meals must be ordered by 5.00pm at the reception desk

Starters

Soup of the Day with bread roll Chicken Pate served with toasted bread, butter portions and seasonal salad Fruit Juice: Orange, Apple or Grapefruit With or without ice cubes Chicken Sate - Char Grilled chicken & fresh vegetables on a skewer, served with a drizzle of sweet chilli sauce Prawn Cocktail served on a bed of salad and a touch of lemon juice

Mains

Lamb Shank cooked in mint sauce on a bed of mashed potatoes and vegetables Rump Steak served with chips, salad, gilled mushrooms, onion rings and a jug with peppercorn sauce - Please tell your waiter how you would like your steak cooking.

Grilled Chicken Breast served with mashed potatoes and vegetables Poached Salmon served with mashed potato, green pesto sauce, slice of lemon and vegetables Beef Lasagne served with chips and garlic bread Mild Chicken Curry served with basmati rice and poppadoms

Deserts

Vanilla & Strawberries with ice cream Homemade Pancakes served with lemon and brown sugar Carrot Cake and whipped cream Homemade Cheesecake Do you have any allergies? Please tell us all about it when you’re booking your table

CONTENTS

2 Transport 3 Services 4-7 Llandudno 8 Llandudno Pier 9 Cable Cars 10 Events

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11-13 Things to do 14 The Great Orme 15 Arts & Theatre

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16 - 17 Health & Beauty 18-19 Conwy 20-22 Colwyn Bay 23 Rhos on Sea

Explore Llandudno

24 Food and Drink

pg.4

25 Cycling

Get to know the area, find out the best locations and learn the history and heritage of this beautiful borough.

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26 Walking 27 Golf 28 Abergele & Pensarn 29 Gwrych Castle 30 Betws y Coed 31 Hiraethog 32 llanfairfechan 33 Penmaenmawr 34 Dolwyddelan Castle

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35 Conwy Villages 36 Bodnant Gardens Cover to Cover Ltd. 145 Bond Street Blackpool, FY4 1HG T: 01253 406814 E: info@theroombook.co.uk www.theroombook.net

Publishers Note This publication and its editorial content has been produced by Cover to Cover Ltd and in good faith from information supplied. All images have been provided or have been obtained on License. It is entirely independent and does not endorse, and is not supported or endorsed by any official or private body or organisation.

Reproduction in whole or in part by any means without written permission from the publishers is strictly forbidden. The publisher accepts no responsibilty for errors, omissions or the consequences thereof. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for the views expressed by contributors, or for the accuracy of claims made by advertisers appearing in this publication.

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TRANSPORT Nearest train Stations: Llandudno railway station Augusta Street, Llandudno LL30 2AD Llandudno railway station serves the seaside town of Llandudno in North Wales, and is the terminus of a 3 miles long branch line from Llandudno Junction on the Crewe to Holyhead North Wales Coast Line. The station is managed by Transport for Wales, who operate all trains serving it Llandudno Junction railway station Conway Road, Llandudno Junction LL31 9NA Llandudno Junction railway station is on the Crewe to Holyhead North Wales Coast Line. The station is managed by Transport for Wales, although Virgin Trains West Coast also serves it.

Conwy railway station Rosehill Street, Conwy LL32 8AD Conwy railway station serves the ancient walled town of Conwy, Wales, and is located on the Crewe to Holyhead North Wales Coast Line. There are through services to Chester via Colwyn Bay, Rhyl, Prestatyn and Flint in one direction and to Bangor & Holyhead in the other Colwyn Bay railway station Colwyn Bay LL29 8DF Colwyn Bay railway station is on the Crewe to Holyhead North Wales Coast Line.

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SERVICES Accident and Emergency Llandudno General Hospital Hospital Rd, Llandudno LL30 1LB 01492 860066

Accident and Emergency Llandudno General Hospital Hospital Rd, Llandudno LL30 1LB 01492 860066

Accident and Emergency Llandudno General Hospital Hospital Rd, Llandudno LL30 1LB 01492 860066

Doctors Mostyn House Medical Practice Mostyn Broadway, Llandudno LL30 1YL 01492 86040

Doctors Bodreinallt Surgery Castle St, Conwy LL32 8AT 01492 593385

Doctors West End Medical Centre 123 Conway Rd, Colwyn Bay LL29 7LT 01492 533800

Dentist Llandudno Smiles 22 Augusta St, Llandudno LL30 2AD 01492 875979

Dentist Rosehill Dental Practice Rosehill Street, Conwy LL32 8LD Tel: 01492 592779

Dentist The Dental Centre 38 Sea View Rd, Colwyn Bay LL29 8DG 01492 533785

Chemist Asda Pharmacy Asda Superstore Conway Rd, Llandudno LL30 1PJ 01492 864300

Chemist Rowlands Pharmacy 24 High St, Conwy LL32 8DE 01492 592418

Chemist Morrisons Pharmacy BayView Shopping Centre, Sea View Rd, Colwyn Bay LL29 8DG 01492 533868

Post Office Llandudno Post Office 101 Mostyn St, Llandudno LL30 2NY

Post Office 7 Lancaster Square, Conwy LL32 8HT 01492 573990

Post Office 8 Station Road, Colwyn Bay , LL29 8BU 01492 539577

Opticians Specsavers Unit 6 The Victoria Centre, Mostyn St, Llandudno LL30 2NG 01492 877077

Opticians Blink Optical 24A High St, Conwy LL32 8DE 01492 593817

Opticians Specsavers 14 Bay View Shopping Centre, Colwyn Bay LL29 8DG 01492 523810

Vets Vets4Pets Mostyn Champneys Retail Park, Charlotte Rd, Llandudno LL30 1HA 01492 868970 Police Non Emergency: 101 Emergency: 999

Vets Vets4Pets Mostyn Champneys Retail Park, Charlotte Rd, Llandudno LL30 1HA 01492 868970 Police Non Emergency: 101 Emergency: 999

Vets Vets4Pets Mostyn Champneys Retail Park, Charlotte Rd, Llandudno LL30 1HA 01492 868970 Police Non Emergency: 101 Emergency: 999

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Llandudno Llandudno is a classic British seaside resort, with a delightful seafront, a pier and a long sandy beach. Full of Victorian and Edwardian elegance, but with plenty of contemporary attractions and unique eateries, this town has a character all of its own and it’s no surprise that it’s such a favourite amongst tourists from the UK and beyond.

The wide promenade which runs alongside the beach is overlooked by stylish, well-kept hotels and guest houses, and perfectly framed by two headlands. At the north end of the promenade is the famous Grade II listed Llandudno Pier, which dates from the late 1800s and is one of the UK’s finest examples of a traditional seaside pier.

Stretching 700m over the sea, the pier is the longest in Wales and it offers a colourful collection of shops, cafes, bars and attractions. Along the pier, you’ll find two amusement arcades, funfair rides, slides, a penny arcade and even a fishing platform, if you fancy catching your supper! At the pier head, there’s a bar and a friendly café serving meals, drinks and, of course, ice cream.

Right next to the Pier is Llandudno’s main beach, North Shore Beach, which offers all the old-fashioned beach attractions you would expect. In season, you can take in a Punch and Judy show, enjoy a donkey ride or just relax in your deckchair, listening to the live music from the bandstand. The smaller West Shore Beach has a boating lake and a play area. The Llandudno Land Train is a delightful way to travel between the two beaches.

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The headland overlooking North Shore Beach is the Great Orme, Llandudno’s mini mountain which is actually a great chunk of limestone rising over 200m above the sea. A visit up the Great Orme Country Park and Nature Reserve is a must-do during any visit to Llandudno, and there are some fun ways of getting there.

For the daring, there’s the Llandudno Cable Car, the longest passenger cable car system in Britain and one of the town’s most popular attractions. Leaving from gardens of Happy Valley, the cable cars glide silently for just over a mile up to the summit of The Great Orme, a journey taking about nine minutes. On the way, you’ll enjoy stunning, panoramic views of Llandudno Bay, the Little Orme, the Conwy Estuary and miles out over the Irish Sea. Another way to the top is on the Great Orme Tramway, Britain’s only cable-hauled public road tramway which first opened in 1902 and whose original Victorian tramcars have been restored over the years. The unique journey begins at Victoria Station and you change trams at Halfway Station to complete your journey to the Summit. Lots of visitors choose to take the tram or cable car up to Great Orme and then enjoy a more leisurely walk down again.

So much to see and do

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Once you’ve arrived at the summit, you’ll be rewarded with more breath-taking views of Anglesey, the Snowdonia mountains, Puffin Island and beyond. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Isle of Man, Blackpool and the Lake District. You can explore the Great Orme on foot, by following one of the many footpaths, and call into the Visitor Centre to find out about its history, geology and wildlife. There’s a restaurant, bar and shop as well as an adventure playground and the Rocky Pines Adventure Golf.

If you’re an adrenaline seeker, you might want to visit the Llandudno Snowsports Centre at Great Orme where, alongside skiing and snowboarding, they also offer Snow-Tubing and the longest Cresta Toboggan run in Wales. Not for the faint-hearted!

Back down at ground level, you may prefer to play a round of golf at one of the town’s golf courses or maybe have a swim at the Llandudno Swimming Centre. There is plenty of walking to be done or you could take the Llandudno and Conwy City Sightseeing tour which is a great way to see the best of the

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Moving on to more cultural pursuits, art lovers will love Mostyn Cymru on Vaughan Street, the largest contemporary art gallery in Wales. Behind its Edwardian façade, Mostyn combines traditional spaces with stunning new architecture to create six galleries which show regularly changing exhibitions by artists and craftspeople from Wales and the world.

At the opposite end of the promenade from the Pier is Venue Cymru, a strikingly designed seafront events complex offering non-stop entertainment. The 1500 seat theatre offers a diverse programme of events and live performance from opera and West End shows, to comedy and pantomime. Alongside the theatre is a multipurpose arena which attracts world class artists for gigs and live music.

For film lovers, a short journey will take you to the nine-screen cinema multiplex at Llandudno Junction, which is worth visiting anyway for its proximity to the River Conwy and the bridge crossing over to the town of Conwy and its castle.

If there’s nothing you like more than a wander round the shops, then you are going to be very pleasantly surprised by what Llandudno has to offer in terms of retail therapy. Here, you’ll find an interesting blend of modern malls and speciality shopping which has made Llandudno North Wales’s premiere shopping destination.

On the edge of the town centre, with masses of free parking, you’ll find Parc Llandudno, a thoroughly modern shopping centre which houses all the big-name retail stores. In contrast, the town centre boasts many independent stores, which line the pretty streets behind the seafront hotels, complete with original Victorian canopies.

The Victoria Centre on Mostyn Street is a must for shoppers, with both independents and well-known retailers sharing this attractive, tastefully designed mall. With a fabulous mix of shops, this arcade is the perfect place for a leisurely wander and browse. If you’re looking for something a bit different or you’d like to buy a gift or souvenir from your stay, you’re bound to find it here.

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LLANDUDNO

Pier

Llandudno Pier was designed by Brunlees and McKerrow. Taking 2 years to construct, building commenced in 1876 and was completed in 1878. The Pier is known for it splendid Victorian and Edwardian elegance.

The Pier is constructed of wrought iron lattice girders resting on cast iron columns – finished with a traditional wooden decking. The Pier’s total length is 2295ft, of which the main Pier is 1234ft, stretching majestically into the Irish Sea. Llandudno Pier was originally operated by the Llandudno Pier Company. In 1968 the Pier was purchased by the Trust House Forte Group and then became part of the First Leisure Corporation in 1983. In 1998 the pier was purchased along with the 3 Blackpool Piers; Eastbourne Pier, South Parade Pier and Blackpool Tower & Winter gardens by Mr Trevor Hemmings operating under Leisure Parks Ltd. Today Llandudno Pier is owned and operated by Adam Williams, Tir Prince Leisure Group and still retains it elegant Victorian appearance, referred to by some as the “Queen of Welsh Piers” The Pier Pavilion was famous for its musical concerts and was the venue at which the world famous conductor, the late Sir Malcolm Sergeant first appeared (1926/1927 Seasons). In later years such household names as George Formby, Ted Ray, Semprini. Petula Clark, Arthur Askey, Bryan Johnson, Bill Maynard (“Greengrass” in Heartbeat), Jimmy Edwards, Russ Conway, the Beverley Sisters, and Cliff Richard all appeared at the Pier Pavilion. In 1994 Pier Pavilion was ravaged by fire, leaving just the ornate wrought iron supports standing.

The Piers Landing Stage was used for many years for sailings to and from Liverpool, the Isle of Man and pleasure trips around the North Wales Coast. Many famous faces have sailed to the Pier over the years including Ringo Starky, who went on the achieve fame in The Beatles – Ringo Starr. Sailing to and from the Pier came to an end in 2005 due to the condition of the Berthing area. Following extensive renovations to the landing stage 2015 saw the return of the Waverly & Balmoral sailings.

Since purchasing the pier Adam Williams continues to invest in the structural maintenance of Llandudno Pier. During the winter months Steel Replacement and renewal of decking takes place every year.

In addition a small but dedicated Maintenance Team work all year long to maintain and improve the standard of the Piers décor and appearance. The good work will continue.

9 Enjoy a ride on the Llandudno Cable Car during your visit to the beautiful resort. Opened on 30 June 1969 as the longest passenger cable car system in Britain, this unique experience continues to be one of town’s most popular attractions.

As the cable cars glide silently from Happy Valley to the summit of the Great Orme, 679 feet up, you can take in the jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Bay of Llandudno, the Little Orme, the Conwy Estuary and miles out over the Iris Sea. And then look down on the beautiful gardens of Happy Valley or glimpse the action at the Llandudno Ski & Snowboard Centre.

The distance to the summit is just over a mile and the leisurely journey takes about nine minutes on an endless steel rope. The cable cars are painted in red, yellow, orange and light blue making them a colourful addition to the landscape of the Great Orme Country Park. The highest point from the ground is around 80 feet and nine pylons support the cable.

Things to do at the Great Orme Summit Once at the summit, there are more spectacular views to enjoy. Anglesey, the mountains of Snowdonia, Puffin Island and beyond are all visible. You can explore the Great Orme by following one of the many footpaths.

Call into the Great Orme County Park Visitor Centre where interactive and audio-visual exhibits describe the Great Orme’s history, geology and wildlife. You can also buy a selection of walking and nature trail leaflets.

The Great Orme Summit Complex, once owned by boxer Randolph Turpin, has a restaurant, café, bar and shop in addition to an adventure playground and Rocky Pines Adventure Golf.

LLANDUDNO Cable Cars

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EVENT Highlights North Wales Choral Festival - 8 - 10 Nov 2019 Santa Dash, Llandudno Christmas Parade - 7 Dec 2019 Conwy Winterfest - 14 Dec 2019 Wirral to Llandudno Mini Run - 12 Jan 2020 Cambrian Rally - 8 Feb 2020 The Coral Tour Snooker Championship - 17 - 22 March 2020 Great Orme Giant Walk - 21 Mar 2020 Colwyn Bay 1940s Festival - 25 - 26 April 2020 Prom Xtra - 2 May 2020 Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza - 8 - 10 May 2020 Llandudno Transport Festival - 8 May 2020 Three Castles Trial - 2 - 5 Jun 2020 The Original Conwy Pirate Festival - 6 - 7 June 2020 Llandudno Jazz Festival - 24 - 26 Jul 2020 LFest - 24 - 26 Jul 2020 Snowdon MG Run- TBA llandudno rock and pop festival - 28 - 31 Aug 2020 Llandudno Goldwing Light Parade - TBA Sep 2020 Llawn Llandudno Arts Weekend - TBA Sep 2020 Wales Rally GB- T.B.C

Yon can get up to date information by visiting www.visitllandudno.org.uk

11 Welsh Mountain Zoo The Welsh Mountain Zoo is set in North Wales, high above Colwyn Bay with panoramic views and breathtaking scenery; its beautiful gardens are home to this caring conservation zoo. Roam the wooded pathways, relax on the grassy slopes and spend a lovely day learning about many rare and endangered species from Britain and around the world including Snow Leopards, Chimpanzees, Red Pandas and Sumatran Tigers!

Llandudno Cable Car Enjoy a ride on the Llandudno Cable Car during your visit to the beautiful resort.

The cable car runs along the Great Orme spanning a distance of one mile forty feet exactly. The cable car was opened in summer 1969, and has been operational ever since.

Llandudno Snowsports Centre The Llandudno Ski Slope and Snowboard Centre is set near Happy Valley and the Great Orme. It was built in 1986 and is Britains longest toboggan run. It offers a wide variety of ski and snowboard lessons for different ages and abilities. The centre has exhilarating activities like sno-tubing and toboggan. It is home to a fully licensed bar and restaurant and is a top venue for parties and events.

Harlequin Puppet Theatre Experience a traditional marionette show in Britain’s only purpose built puppet theatre. Delightful family entertainment to stimulate the imagination. This unique theatre has enjoyed over 60 years of children’s laughter.

The Smallest House in Great Britain The Smallest House in Great Britain can be found nestled amongst a terrace of houses on Conwy’s quayside. You really can’t miss the smallest house and you’d be crazy not to pop in for a look on your way past. This national treasure has been recently refurbished and is well worth a few minutes of your time.

Our visitors are impressed by the very special atmosphere of the house inside - visitors also enjoy a short history of the property.

Llyn Brenig Reservoir & Visitor Centre Llyn Brenig is located at the heart of the Mynydd Hiraethog and is a centre for outdoor activities, including walking, cycling, fishing and sailing. A lovely spot for picnics and enjoying the surrounding countryside, the area is surrounded by a network of footpaths and a number of way marked trails suitable for biking and walking. The Visitor Centre provides facilities including a cafe, fishing licences and bike hire, as well as an adventure playground for children.

Great Orme Country Park Visitor Centre With models, interactive displays and exciting films the whole family will enjoy finding out more about the diverse wildlife and history of the Great Orme. Watch the sea bird colonies via a live video-link, test your knowledge on the digital interactivities and spot rock pool creatures in the aquarium.

o d o t s g thin

12 Llandudno Chocolate Experience Take a chocolatey journey 5000 years in the making at our new tourist attraction! Starting in a Mayan hut you will weave your way through nine eras, exploring how chocolate has ingrained itself into our society…

We can safely say that we have the only Aztec temple in Llandudno as well as a recreation of a pirate ship’s cargo hold, a Moroccan tent and many other detailed scenes.

The tourist attraction is laid out across nine areas; each recreating a different part of chocolate’s history.

Our helpful videos will be your guide and you will also find activities, information panels and wonderful scenes in our immersive world.

Our building is also the centre of our chocolate company, where we make a wide variety of products which we sell across Europe. When we are at work, you can take a peak into our world through the viewing window.

West Shore Miniature Railway The West Shore Miniature Railway: young and old alike can enjoy a ride behind both steam and electric locomotives on our track at West Shore. A great family experience and photo opportunity with the Great Orme as a backdrop, the beach and the North Wales Cycle Path are nearby. The railway is maintained and operated by the North Wales Model Engineering Society and members often run their own locomotives during our public running sessions. You can find us adjacent to the West Shore Car Park and Beach Café.

City Sightseeing Llandudno Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour Step aboard an open-top, double-decker bus for a thrilling ride around Llandudno, Wales’ biggest seaside resort, with these hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tickets. Your pass is valid for 24 hours so you can enjoy a full day of sightseeing, jumping off to browse the shops of Mostyn Broadway, stroll down Llandudno Pier or enjoy the views of Conwy Castle and Great Orme. The on-board recorded commentary ensures you won’t miss anything and once you’ve had enough of sightseeing, you can jump off on the West Shore and head to the beach.

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Great Orme Tramway Come and experience how people have been travelling for over 100 years on this unique and historical Llandudno institution.

The journey begins at Victoria Station, a short distance from Llandudno’s seaside and pier. Climb aboard one of our beautifully restored tramcars and start your ascent through the winding roads of the Great Orme.

At the Halfway Station exhibition, you can discover the remarkable history of the Victorian engineering and observe the Tramway’s powerful funicular system in action, before changing trams.

Continue your journey to the Summit where the views are breath-taking. On a clear day, it’s possible to see as far as the Isle of Man, Blackpool and the Lake District!

Once at the Summit, disembark from your tramcar and the choice is yours: you can visit the exhibition at the Great Orme Country Park Visitor Centre, have a picnic at one of the many picnic tables, have a drink and a snack at the Summit Complex, the kids can play on the large outdoor playground or you can follow one of the many walks on the Orme. Or you can simply breathe in the fresh air and beautiful surroundings.

You may wish to visit the Orme’s amazing Bronze Age Copper Mines (only a 5 minute walk from the Tramway’s Halfway Station), explore the Iron Age Fort, stone age remains or visit the 6th century St. Tudno’s Church.

Llandudno Museum In 1927 Francis Chardon gave his collection of paintings and art objects to the town of Llandudno. This delightful small museum was founded to showcase Chardon’s collection plus archaeological finds and historical artefacts telling the story of Llandudno’s early history.

The exhibits are separated into several major categories and time periods, including Prehistory, Roman, Medieval War Time, and The Resort. This last gallery traces the story of Llandudno from a quiet miner’s village into a fashionable resort town.

The Museum will be closed from Saturday 4 August. Major rebuilding and expansion work which will be carried out, the museum hopes to re-open soon.

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THE GREAT ORME Llandudno’s mini-mountain, rich in natural and man-made history.

You really can’t miss it.

There it is, at the end of the prom, dwarfing even Wales’s longest pier.

The Great Orme headland is a massive chunk of limestone rising 207m/679ft straight out of the sea.

Little wonder that its name, given by the Vikings, means ‘sea monster’.

It may be big and bold, but it’s a friendly kind of place too, a long-standing Llandudno favourite along with Punch and Judy and donkeys on the beach.

Hop on the cable car or the Great Orme tramway and you’re soon at the top (you can walk or drive too), where you’ll find a Visitor Centre (closed in winter).

It’s your best starting point for exploring the fascinating geology, archaeology, wildlife and history of this spectacular headland, thought to be over 350 million years old.

The Great Orme’s special importance is reflected in its designation as a Country Park, Special Area of Conservation, Site of Special Scientific Interest and Heritage Coast.

Its different habitats, ranging from rich heathlands to sheer sea cliffs, limestone grassland to woodland, support a wide variety of plants and wildlife.

Some species are very rare – choughs, for example – while others, like the silver-studded blue butterfly, are unique to the Great Orme.

You should have no problem in spotting its most famous residents, the wild Kashmir goats with their shaggy white coats and fearsome horns.

Follow the nature trail from the Great Orme Country Park Visitor Centre, which has stopping-off points that interpret the Orme’s intriguing story.

And also visit the unique Great Orme Ancient Mine, the world’s largest Bronze Age mine.

ART & THEATRE

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Venue Cymru Venue Cymru is a theatre, conference centre and arena in Llandudno, Conwy county borough, North Wales. Formerly known as the Aberconwy Centre and the North Wales Theatre and Conference Centre, is now a large arts, conference and events venue. Venue Cymru has a theatre, conference centre, and arena.

Theatr Colwyn Theatr Colwyn is an historical theatre and cinema utilising the latest in technology to offer patrons a 21st Century entertainment experience with a traditional, friendly flavour.

Cineworld Cinema - Llandudno Multiplex cinema chain showing the latest international blockbusters in 2D and 3D formats.

Mostyn Behind a traditional Edwardian façade, in the beautiful seaside town of Llandudno, is MOSTYN, the largest contemporary art gallery in Wales. Traditional spaces merged with stunning new architecture house six galleries which present regularly changing exhibitions by artists and makers from Wales and from around the world.

With friendly staff, activities for all ages, a lovely shop and a bright and airy café, there’s something for everyone.

The building is fully accessible and admission is FREE. MOSTYN, 12 Vaughan St., Llandudno, LL30 1AB Open: Tuesday - Sunday 10.30am - 4.00pm (café and shop open until 5.00pm) 01492 879201 www.mostyn.org Oriel Oriel Colwyn is a gallery space dedicated to showcasing photography and photographic works By working with local, national and international photographers as well as current and up and coming new talent we are North Wales’ hottest photography space.

Royal Cambrian Academy of Art Royal Cambrian Academicians (Members) are practising painters, sculptors, printmakers and architects, who after a selection process are elected by their peers to become member. The current President of the Academy is Jeremy Yates, there can be up to 150 Academicians at any one time.

Constituted in 1881 by Queen Victoria the Royal Cambrian Academy is a centre for artistic excellence in Wales, it aims to exhibit work by members of the Academy, to promote up and coming artists of quality, to mount historical exhibitions and offer a lively venue for education.

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y t u a e B & h t l a e H

If you feel like treating yourself to a little pampering whilst you’re staying in Llandudno, you’ll find plenty of choice in the town. This traditional seaside resort has a real variety bag of offerings when it comes to hair, beauty and wellbeing, combining contemporary style with good, old-fashioned values and a little bit of luxury.

There are some renowned hair and beauty salons in the centre of Llandudno which have been serving the town for many years and have well established reputations. Whether you’re wanting a quick trim, a whole new look or you want your hair styled for a special event, you’ll find what you need here.

17 Elegance Hair and Beauty on Madoc Street celebrated 20 years in business last year, marking the occasion with a full refurbishment to give the salon a fresh new look and improve its facilities.

The experienced stylists and colourists at Elegance can create traditional, formal, contemporary and more daring styles to suit any individual choice.

They also offer hair extensions and bridal or special occasion styling.

The Beauty Room at Elegance is open from Thursday to Saturday, perfect for a weekend pick-me-up. Amongst other treatments, they offer eyebrow tint and shape, lash tints, manicure, pedicure, file and polish, waxing and a range of excellent value facials.

Hair by Tracey on Mostyn Street is owned by experienced stylist Tracey Mercer, who works alongside a highly skilled and friendly team. Their warm welcome and professional approach has earned the salon a long and loyal client list, as well as winning them a finalist place in the 2019 Welsh Hair and Beauty Awards. Experienced colourists and expert stylists, they can certainly help you achieve the look you want.

In the same salon, you’ll find Beauty by Tina, whose long list of services includes lashes and brows, nails, waxing treatments, massage, facials and tanning treatments. There’s a cosy area to relax before and after your treatment, with complimentary drinks and wi-fi. The team are more than happy for couples or friends to visit together.

If you’re seeking some premium quality pampering, you could head out to Bodysgallen Hall on the road towards Llandudno Junction. This beautiful country house hotel with gardens, also boasts a luxurious Spa which welcomes day guests.

The Spa offers a range of treatments for both men and women including facials, aromatherapy, body treatments, scrubs, wraps, massages and finishing touches. You can book individual treatments or choose a package which enables you spend more time at the Spa. The fabulous facilities include a gym, pool, sauna, steam room and spa bath.

Of course, when it comes to boosting your inner wellbeing, there’s nothing quite like a walk in the fresh air and, with its long promenade, Happy Valley garden and the Great Orme, Llandudno has plenty to offer in that department. Whichever way you choose to spend your time, there’s every chance you will leave here feeling relaxed, invigorated and revitalised.

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Conwy

Anyone with an interest in history and heritage will love Conwy. The brooding castle has a number of well-preserved walls that enclose the narrow streets nearby, creating an authentic Medieval atmosphere. Constructed by Edward I between 1283 and 1289 as one of his key fortresses, the Castle has eight huge round towers which give an intimidating presence.

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The Castle’s circuit of walls, over three-quarters of a mile long and guarded by no less than 22 towers, is one of the finest in the world. A walk along the route of the walls is a must, as is climbing the battlements, from where you’ll enjoy breath-taking views across mountains and sea.

One of the oldest buildings in the walled town is Aberconwy House, the only surviving 14th century merchant’s house in Conwy. Furnished rooms and an audio-visual presentation depict daily life from different centuries. Another slice of history can be found at Plas Mawr, believed to be one of the bestpreserved Elizabethan townhouses in the UK. Built between 1576 and 1585, its exterior features a gatehouse and lookout tower whilst, inside, the elaborately decorated plaster ceilings and fine wooden screens reflect the wealth and influence of the Tudor gentry in Wales A more recent construction but no less impressive, is the Conwy Suspension Bridge and Toll House.

Designed and built by Thomas Telford, this elegant suspension bridge, completed in 1826, was once the main route over the river for all traffic and was in daily use until the 1950s. The restored Toll House is furnished as it would have been a century ago.

Art enthusiasts will enjoy the Royal Cambrian Academy in the centre of Conwy, a smart, contemporary art gallery, with monthly changing exhibitions and a lovely gift shop. And everyone will love a visit to the Smallest House in Great Britain, which you’ll find nestled amongst the terraced houses on Conwy’s quayside. Small it may be, but you won’t miss it!

Nature lovers should venture out to Pensychnant Conservation Centre and Nature Reserve on the spectacular Sychnant Pass above Conwy. The 150-acre nature reserve, covered with ancient and Victorian woodland, and heathland, features several species of birds and other interesting flora and fauna, particularly moths. The Conservation Centre also hosts an annual exhibition of wildlife artists and there’s a programme of guided walks for those wanting to explore the natural beauty of the area.

Back in the town itself, a wander along the quay provides a glimpse of maritime Conwy and there is a unique mix of shops to browse, especially amongst the nooks and crannies of the walled streets. Here, you’ll discover everything from local produce, award-winning chocolate, souvenirs, clothing and artwork.

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COLWYN Bay

21

In the main holiday season, life in Colwyn Bay centres around the beach and it’s not hard to see why.

Winner of the prestigious Blue Flag award, Colwyn Bay Beach which stretches up to Rhos-on-Sea at the northern end of the bay, is great for swimming, watersports, fishing or just relaxing in the sunshine.

A lovely way to spend a morning is to take a walk down the length of the beach or promenade, starting from Rhos-om-Sea, where the boats bob gently in the harbour and there is a quiet beach of sand and shingle. From here you can see the curve of the bay and as you walk towards Colwyn Bay, there will be places to stop for a coffee or an ice cream and enjoy the view.

Colwyn Bay beach itself has benefited from major investment in recent years which have brought new attractions to the coastline. One such new development is the Porth Eirias Centre, a fantastic beachside destination which is home to Colwyn Bay Watersports as well as a top bistro run by renowned chef Bryn Williams.

Colwyn Bay Watersports offers tuition in sailing, windsurfing and power boating as well as kayak and canoe hire. For land-based activities, the nearby Parc Eirias, the ‘park by the sea’ has a playground, natural play area and boating lake in over fifty acres of beautiful parkland. Eirias Park is also home to Colwyn Leisure Centre which boasts an indoor swimming pool with water features and a separate water slide, as well as a fitness suite.

22 Families and animal lovers should take a trip to the Welsh Mountain Zoo, 37 acres of lush green landscape perched on a hillside overlooking Colwyn Bay. Also known as the National Zoo of Wales, it has over 140 species, including big cats, primates, birds and reptiles. A caring conservation zoo, its rare and endangered species include snow leopards, red pandas, Sumatran tigers, chimpanzees and Californian sea lions. There are adventure playgrounds for the children too.

For more cultural pursuits, visit the wonderful Theatr Colwyn on Abergele Road in the centre of Colwyn Bay, which houses the UK’s oldest working cinema as well as the oldest theatre in Wales. The theatre offers a variety of live performances whilst the cinema shows latest releases and National Theatre Live productions. The building is also home to the Oriel Colwyn Gallery which shows photographic exhibitions.

For shoppers, Colwyn Bay has the purpose-built Bay View Shopping Centre, packed full of high street names and plenty to places to stop for a drink or a bite to eat. There’s also a traditional street market in the town centre every Tuesday and Saturday throughout the year. Located on Station Road and Seaview Road, the market offers a wide range of goods including electricals, console games, confectionery, household products, pet supplies and lots of food stalls.

A weekly farmers’ market is also held every Thursday at the Bay View Shopping Centre car park, with stalls selling everything from organic meat to locally produced preserves.

23 Small is beautiful in this charming seaside town located between big brothers Llandudno and Colwyn Bay. If only all seaside towns could be like this – neat, pristine and peaceful.

The long seafront walkway from Colwyn Bay takes in Rhos-on-Sea’s breakwater, where a little harbour has an atmosphere reminiscent of a West Wales coastal village.

It’s not just the traditional promenade and lungfuls of salty sea air that attract walkers.

Start your exploration from the tiny, roughly vaulted St Trillo’s Chapel at Rhos Point.

Standing on the site of an ancient healing well, it’s the smallest church in Britain, seating only six.

St Trillo’s is one of 26 historic sites on the circular Rhos-on-Sea Heritage Trail, which also takes in the remains of Bryn Euryn, a 5th-century hillfort with airy views.

The ‘small is beautiful’ theme continues at the delightful Harlequin Puppet Theatre, perhaps Rhos’s greatest claim to fame.

Founded in 1958, it’s Britain’s premier marionette theatre, the first and only venue designed and built for puppets.

Others might claim that Rhos-on-Sea is more famous for its role in the discovery of America.

We’re taught that Christopher Columbus got there first, in 1492.

But another version of history states that a Welshman, Prince Madoc, arrived 300 years earlier after setting sail from Rhos-on-Sea. As befits a small-scale town, Rhos-on-Sea is a friendly kind of place with interesting little shops you’ll not find elsewhere.

Sailing, swimming and sea-fishing are popular, and cyclists can follow a track that stretches for miles down the coast.

Rhos-on-Sea Golf Club is – as you would expect – friendly too.

This 18-hole parkland course with superb sea views is billed as being ‘at the forefront – and on the seafront – of golfing in North Wales’.

Rhos on Sea

24

FOOD & DRINK

in Conwy

Experience a Flavour of North Wales

Whether visiting for a day or a short break, a longer holiday or you live and work in the area, part of your Welsh experience is the wide variety of food and drink and places to eat out in North Wales. The Conwy area has a host of restaurants, cafes, pubs and inns, takeaways and fast food outlets, as well as a number of hotels with restaurants for non-residents and residents alike.

Llandudno and other destinations in Conwy county have a wide variety of food types on offer, including European, Indian, Chinese and Thai, as well as more traditional Welsh and British menus. The proximity to the Northern Welsh coast means that there is a great choice of fresh fish and seafood, some locally caught.

It’s easy to find wonderful local produce, both to buy to take home, as well as in the local eateries, and there are a number of popular food events in North Wales featuring a wealth of local delicacies to whet the appetite, including the Gwledd Conwy Feast, the Conwy Honey Fair and the country markets.

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CYCLING

Experience some of the best cycling in North Wales on biking routes to suit everyone from the beginner right through to the professional rider – and all surrounded by stunning scenery, wide open spaces and big skies. Whether it’s leisurely family cycling, long distance road cycling tours across the moors, or a muddy and exhilarating rush on mountain biking trails - once you get a taste of biking in Conwy, we’re sure you’ll be wanting more.

Betws y Coed, the gateway to the Snowdonia Mountains has great facilities for bikers, and is the starting off point for a number of way marked mountain biking routes and mountain biking centres in the region, including the Marin Trail and Penmachno Trails and the mountain biking centre at Coed y Brenin. Llyn Brenig and the Clocaenog Forest offer a range of moderate and more challenging mountain biking trails, including the Brenig Trail, whilst the nearby Alwen Trail is ideal for family cycling. The long distance National Cycling Route 5 crosses through the north of the region following a course along the spectacular North Wales coast.

The region also hosts some world class biking events including stages of the Go Race North Wales MTB Series and the road cycling Snowdonia Sportive.

After a hard day in the saddle, relax with a meal at one of the range of great places to eat out in Conwy and rest your weary muscles at one of the comfortable places to stay - many are geared up specially to accommodate cyclists and their bikes – just look out for the Cyclists Welcome logo. And should you need anything for your two wheels – there’s a good supply of bike repair and bike hire shops where you’ll find everything you need to get on the road again.

26 Walks Long walks, short walks, town walks, country walks.

Rocky mountain paths and sand-between-your-toes strolls.

Forest footpaths and heritage trails.

Easy rambles for families, tough upland challenges for enthusiasts.

Walking is our most popular outdoor activity – from the list above it’s easy to see why.

Want a breezy, blow-the-cobwebs-away kind of walk along beaches and promenades?

Then follow sections of the Wales Coast Path.

Don’t think it’s flat all the way, mind – it also takes in the spectacular Great Orme and Little Orme headlands at Llandudno and a mountainous upland alternative between Conwy and Llanfairfechan.

Our countryside is pretty good, too.

Trails in the lovely Vale of Conwy wander through green, lush scenery and – in the case of Trefriw, for example – throw in some history and heritage along the way.

Some head up into the Gwydyr Forest Park, one of our most popular walking areas.

Its falls, hidden lakes and surprising industrial heritage are revealed on a network of 14 waymarked trails – Betws-y-Coed and Llanrwst are good starting points.

Mynydd Hiraethog on the opposite flank of the valley is a brooding moorland of purple heather, forest and lake.

It’s a very different – and very compelling – part of North Wales, undiscovered by many.

Start your exploration at the Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre.

At Bodlondeb Woods Nature Reserve near Conwy you can go orienteering or wildlife watching. And no visit to North Wales is complete without a walk in Snowdonia.

Betws-y-Coed, its gateway, is a thriving inland resort – call into its Visitor Centre for walking advice.

For more information on walks and walking across the region go to our Countryside Service.

Great Orme Circular Walk Part of the Wales Coastal Path, this moderate circular walk takes you from the railway station around one of the most spectacular country parks in Wales with wonderful panoramic view over Llandudno, Conwy and Anglesey coast.

g n i k l a W

27 Conwy Golf Club Conwy Golf Club is a premier links course situated near the holiday resort town of Conwy. The course lies at the mouth of the River Conwy, overlooked on its south side by Conwy Mountain and on its north side, overlooking the Conwy Estuary and the Great Orme. This stunning location and the challenging but fair links course will provide a memorable experience for all visiting golfers, and our aim is to ensure that each visitor will have an enjoyable and rewarding day.

Maesdu Golf Club You may have heard about our wonderful golf course, our friendly staff, our relaxing bar, and the quality of the food in our James Braid Restaurant but these are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Maesdu Golf Club.

We aim to make your visit special by paying attention to every detail and custom building your golf event to suit your specific requirements. At Maesdu we do everything we can to make your day a success. We welcome small groups and large societies, everybody is important to us and we will work with you to ensure everything goes smoothly. By delivering a memorable experience we hope you will want to return again and again.

North Wales Golf Club North Wales Golf Club is a true Championship Links course situated in the sunny seaside town of Llandudno with excellent views over the Conwy estuary to Anglesey and the Snowdonia Mountain range.

We are sure you will find the course invigorating and challenging offering an enjoyable experience for all levels of player.

Rhos on Sea Golf Club Rhos on Sea Golf Course in North Wales is a mostly flat parkland course, offering a fair challenge to the average golfer and a good test to those with a lower handicap. The selection of wide fairways, raised tees and Mackenzie Style two-tiered greens are defined by picturesque trees, and surrounded by stunning views of the North Wales mountains and coast.

As well as restaurant and bar facilities, we are one of the few golf clubs with onsite accommodation, where we offer ‘stay and play’ packages. Our friendly club atmosphere is welcoming to all members, day visitors, holidaymakers and golfing society competitors.

GOLF TIME TO TEE OFF

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Abergele &

Pensarn

In a nutshell. Quiet sandy beach close to historic and it later became a Roman trading town and medieval marketplace. settlement and wooded hills.

‘Which is which?’ you may well ask.

Moreover, Abergele was also home to an important Celtic monastery on a site now occupied by the large parish church of St Michael’s.

It’s a good touring centre for all of North Wales, close to the major resorts and the moors of Mynydd Hiraethog.

Wooded hills begin just beyond the town, rising to around 300m/1000ft, with far-reaching views back to the coast.

One of the many local walks takes you to Tower Hill (178m/583ft), reputedly an Elizabethan watchtower that guarded the coast against pirates.

Local amenities include a leisure centre with swimming pool and sports hall.

Abergele Golf Club is a delightful 18-hole parkland course.

Regarded as one of the most picturesque in Wales, it’s also noted for its smooth, dry greens and year-round playability.

It’s tempting to say that a comment penned in the 1870s about Abergele is still relevant today: ‘Visitors (are) attracted every summer by the variety of scene, and especially by its renowned beaches.’

There’s no difference, really, since one runs into the other.

Pensarn is Abergele’s seaside arm.

It’s a traditional sandy beach with a prom, amusements and cafés.

And since it shares the north coast with better-known neighbours, the beach is never jam-packed.

If you’re feeling energetic you can cycle or walk from here on the path westwards towards Colwyn Bay or eastwards to Kinmel Bay. Abergele is the unassuming little town just inland.

We say ‘unassuming’, though its history is anything but. Find accommodation in Abergele and Pensarn and find out what’s on when you plan to visit.

The hills above are studded with Iron Age forts,

29 GWRYCH CASTLE Gwrych Castle is a Grade I listed country house in north Wales, one of the first attempts at replicating true medieval architecture in Europe. It stands in 250 acres of gardens and grounds and has extensive views over former parkland including a deer park and the Irish Sea. Gwrych Castle was built by Lloyd Hesketh Bamford Hesketh, heir of the Lloyds of Gwrych, from c.1810, incorporating his family’s ancestral home, with the work continuing over four decades. The castle then passed to the Earls of Dundonald by marriage to the Bamford Hesketh heiress, Winifred. During World War II the castle was requisitioned as part of Operation Kindertransport and in 1946 was sold by the Dundonald family, ending

nearly 1000 years of continuous family ownership. In1948, the castle was purchased by Leslie Salts who opened it as the ‘Showplace of Wales’ for a period of twenty years.

Following Salt’s sale in 1968, the castle was operated as a medieval entertainment centre with jousting, banquets and markets taking place in the grounds. This also heralded a period of slow decline which saw the building shut to the public in 1985 and the final joust taking place in 1987. In 1990, an American property purchased the estate with a view for creating an opera centre and hotel – nothing materialised. Instead, the castle was asset-stripped and vandalised to the point that its very future was uncertain.

As an eleven year-old child in 1996, Mark Baker, passed the castle daily and found the destruction so appalling that he went on to found the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust at the age of 12. The Trust forced the American absentee owner to sell the castle in 2006 to Clayton Hotels who had ambitious plans to convert the buildings into a luxury hotel. Work began but was halted by the credit crunch which also sadly saw Clayton Hotels enter receivership. The castle was once again purchased by another property developer who took the hotel development through the planning process. In 2018, the planning permission ran out and the castle was offered for sale by auction. Through the intervention of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Richard Broyd Charitable Trust, the castle was purchased by Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust, on behalf of the nation.

© Copyright Alexander P Kapp

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Betws-y-Coed

Bustling mountain resort at the gateway to Snowdonia.

Who says that Wales is closed on Sundays?

Go to Betws-y-Coed on any Sunday of the year (December included) and you’ll find a place well and truly open for business.

It’s not just the busy shops, selling everything from outdoor gear to quality crafts, which attract visitors.

Betws-y-Coed came into being in the first place thanks to the early Victorian travellers who relished its beautiful wooded setting at the convergence of four rushing rivers.

And it’s this location, largely unchanged since those times, that’s the real magnet.

Betws-y-Coed itself, of course, has changed.

It’s a full-on mountain resort with all kinds of attractions and activities.

There’s a railway museum and Zip World Fforest (the name is a clue to the dizzy things you can get up to here).

For more woodland forays you can go walking, cycling and mountain biking in the glades of the Gwydyr Forest.

Other outdoor activities include canyoning and scrambling – and if you want subterranean Zip Below Xtreme is five kilometres of pure underground adrenalin including the world’s longest and deepest zip lines.

Betws-y-Coed is the perfect launch-pad for exploring the Snowdonia National Park.

You’ll find one of the Park’s main visitor centres here, and it’s easy to ditch the car and hop on a Snowdon Sherpa bus for an eco-friendly tour.

Or use the Conwy Valley Line - a scenic rail journey that will take you inland to Blaenau Ffestiniog, where you can connect with the Ffestiniog Railway, or down to the coastal resort of Llandudno via the Conwy Valley.

On the Sherpa, you’re soon into dramatic countryside.

Tumbling Swallow Falls, one of Wales’s most celebrated beauty spots, is close by and don’t miss Ty Hyll, the strange ‘ugly house’ built of massive, mis-shapen boulders.

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Hiraethog Hiraethog, ‘The Hills of Longing’ (or translated by some as ‘gorse hill’), in the heart of North Wales is a stunning, unspoilt landscape of heather moor, thick forests, tranquil lakes and open spaces, dotted with charming villages and topped by big, open skies. Home to rare wildlife, such as red squirrels, beautiful scenery and warm Welsh hospitality, this is somewhere where you can really get away from it all. Relax and enjoy the peace and quiet, or get out there and experience some of the country’s best biking, walking, fishing, and water sports locations.

Accessed easily via the A5 main route to Betws y Coed, Hiraethog is at the gateway to Snowdonia, and in no time you can be experiencing all that Llyn Brenig, and the Hiraethog moors have to offer. With a fantastic choice of quality places to stay, places to eat and an exciting programme of events in North Wales throughout the year, you’ll have everything you need to make the most of your holiday in Hiraethog.

One way of the most rewarding ways to explore Hiraethog and its settlements is on foot. The Hiraethog Trail links the villages of Pentrefoelas, Cerrigydrudion, Llanfihangel Glyn Myfr and Llanrhaeadr via public footpaths, quiet lanes and country roads. A beautifully illustrated pack accompanying the Trail divides the route into a number of manageable sections – perfect for those looking for short circular walks, or for more experienced walkers on a long weekend break.

There’s no shortage of things to do in Hiraethog – you can be as active or as lazy as you like. From exhilarating mountain bike trails across the Hiraethog moors, walking along the Hiraethog Way, an exciting karting track and fun cycling routes for the family, to stunning scenery and leisurely walks at Llyn Brenig, Alwen Reservoir or in the Clocaenog Forest, looking for that ‘big catch’ on Llyn Aled, browsing for local art and crafts, or enjoying some local specialities in a country pub, restaurant or cafe. Hiraethog has many ways to inspire, excite and relax - and to make you eager to return.

32 Village with its feet in the sea and head in the hills.

If you like your seaside with a peaceful, period twist you’ll love Llanfairfechan.

It’s a small Victorian resort that – in common with Llandudno across the bay – remains true to its roots.

There’s a prom fronting a wide stretch of low-tide sands plus a range of retro facilities that include a boating lake and bowling green. And, as well as those traditional time-honoured ‘beside the sea’ pleasures Llanfairfechan is also popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers.

Walkers are also partial to the place.

Llanfairfechan grew up on a narrow strip of land backed by steep hillsides.

Local walks are both scenic and historic with trails that include stretches of the Roman road that linked bases in Chester and Caernarfon.

Down the coast, don’t miss the spectacular Aber Falls that plunge 37m/120ft over rocks – they’re tucked away in a lovely wooded valley a few miles south of Abergwyngregyn.

Traeth Lafan is another natural spectacle.

The large local nature reserve, a moody expanse of saltmarsh and intertidal sand, is noted for its birdlife.

In winter, it’s home to the UK’s largest population of moulting great crested grebes as well as large flocks of oystercatchers, red-breasted mergansers and golden eye.

Llanfairfechan

r w a m n e a m n e P

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Seaside, walks and spectacular sunsets.

The north coast settlement of Penmaenmawr shares many characteristics with neighbouring Llanfairfechan.

It’s like the seaside used to be, genteel and low key, with a long promenade, paddling pool and children’s playground, rounded off by a row of traditional beach huts (with a nod to the 21st-century there’s also a skate park).

The big, sandy beach is well suited to sandcastle-making and watersports (there’s a thriving local sailing club), with the bonus of splendid views across Conwy Bay to Anglesey and Puffin Island.

Also in common with Llanfairechan, Penmaenmawr doubles up as a well-located walking and touring centre.

Trails lead upwards into hills crossed by Roman roads and dotted with historic sites that include an Iron Age fort, Druid’s Circle and fascinating Stone Age ‘axe factory’, implements from which have been found all over Britain.

If you’re driving, don’t miss the thrilling trip up and over the narrow Sychnant Pass, the historic route to Conwy.

There’s more history back in town at Penmaenmawr Museum, which recalls the town’s quarrying past.

Other local amenities and attractions include a golf course, challenging enough in its own right without the added handicap/distraction of superb sea views.

34

Dolwyddelan

Castle

Craggy mountain setting, the medieval stronghold of the Welsh princes.

The village of Dolwyddelan, on the road midway between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Betws-yCoed, is dwarfed by its mountainous surroundings, some of the wildest walking country in Snowdonia.

Mighty Moel Siabod rears its head to the north, a sight even more stirring when viewed from the battlements of Dolwyddelan Castle.

The single-towered fortress, unlike the grand showpiece strongholds of Caernarfon and Conwy constructed by King Edward I to subdue the Welsh, is a castle built by the native Princes of Wales.

It’s easy to see why Llywelyn the Great chose this strategic spot on a high ridge commanding the Lledr Valley for his early 13th-century stronghold.

Strategy aside, he may also have been influenced by the simple fact that he felt at home here, for Dolwyddelan was his birthplace.

These were turbulent times – later that century Edward took the castle and re-fortified it for his own purposes.

Unlike other lonely, timeworn mountain strongholds, Dolwyddelan doesn’t look its age thanks to a restoration in the Victorian era.

35 Don’t rush through the valley – you’ll be missing out on lots to see.

Look upon the lovely Vale of Conwy as a lush, green interlude, sandwiched as it is between rocky Snowdonia and the open moors of Mynydd Hiraethog.

Its farmlands, riverbanks and hillsides are dotted with hamlets and villages.

From north to south, here are some of the highlights.

You get a real sense of the River Conwy opening up to meet the sea at Llansanffraid Glan Conwy, which enjoys superb views across the estuary, Conwy Castle and Snowdonia.

Close by is Hendre Waelod burial chamber, dating back to around 3500BC, its massive capstone still intact.

Rowen’s reputation as one of the prettiest villages in Wales is well deserved.

It’s small and perfectly formed – no more than a few cottages, pub and chapel and ...Just perfect!

From here head into the hills on the Roman Road walk, or visit the nearby Conwy Water Gardens, which have a fishery, aquatic centre and reptile house.

Eglwysbach, another pretty village, is almost opposite Rowen on the other side of the valley.

Look out for its annual August jamboree, billed as ‘the Finest Village Agricultural and Horticultural Show in North Wales’.

Its next-door neighbour, Bodnant Garden, a horticultural superstar, is a ‘must-visit’ destination that has recently become even better known thanks to the opening of the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre.

Further down the valley at Dolgarrog you might want to get lost – in the nicest possible way – in the Conwy Valley Maze, the ‘world’s largest garden maze’ covering around two acres and containing many hidden surprises including a butterfly garden, tropical garden and Zen garden.

Both Dolgarrog and the neighbouring village of Tal-y-Bont are good walking bases for the Carneddau mountain range and the lake of Llyn Eigiau.

Conwy Villages