Vale of Conwy Tourist Information

Llanrwst History

Llanrwst was once the only bridging point across the River Conwy. The 16th century bridge, Pont Fawr, designed by Inigo Jones is the town's main focal point. Inigo Jones was the first Englishman (although born to a Welsh clothworker) to have studied architecture in Italy. He is attributed with being the first to bring Renaissance architecture to Britain.

The 17th century Gwydir Chapel in Llanrwst was also designed by Inigo Jones and is noted for its painted ceiling and most importantly the impressive stone sarcophagus in which Llewellyn the Great's body was laid.

Gwydir Castle, an example of a Tudor courtyard house, has undergone many refurbishments since being built in the 16th century. Most recently the 1640s panelled dining room has been reinstated after the panelling was repatriated from the New York Metropolitan Museum.

As an old market town there are plenty of pubs and inns in the town and several historic buildings. The restored almshouses near the chapel are Jacobean buildings now housing a community museum that details the history of Llanrwst Bridge, Ancaster Square, The Gwydir Estate and St Grwst church. The Almshouses are also headquarters for the Llanrwst Historical Society. Ty Hwnt i'r Bont next to Pont Fawr was once a courthouse and is now a tearoom owned by the National Trust.

Bodnant Garden in the Vale of Conwy

Bodnant Garden is the biggest attraction in the Vale of Conwy, claiming to be the site of the most beautiful gardens in the UK.

It is a National Trust run property that endeavours to grow a wide range of plants from all over the world. The gardens are in two parts: the upper garden around Bodnant Hall where there are terraced gardens and informal lawns. The lower section, 'The Dell', is a wild garden area.

Other facilities include the Pavilion Tea Room and adjacent to the gardens are Bodnant Garden Nursery, the Plant and Gift Centre and Craft Studios that are open all year round.

The gardens are open from mid March to early November.

Trefriw Attractions

Trefriw, north east of Llanrwst, was once a popular destination for Victorian bathers who came to take the strong iron and sulphur waters for rheumatism and anaemia. You can still buy the water from the wells.

The town has a long history dating back to the Romans who also made use of the Trefriw Wells Spa. Llewlleyn the Great was also believed to have had a hunting lodge here in the 12th century.

The town has a network of nine trails taking in riverside walks, lakes, woods and historic buildings. You can download a brochure detailing the trails from the Trefriw Trails website opposite.

Waterfalls and Walks in the Vale of Conwy

There are some lovely walks along the River Conwy, with picturesque gorges and waterfalls. The final gorge section of the River Conwy south of Llanrwst is a fantastic sight. The river here plunges fifty feet over the Conwy Falls into a deep pool. Access is via a turnstile gate where you pay your entrance fee (around here nothing in life is free!) by the Conwy Falls Cafe.

Carrying on north alongside some of the toughest white water for kayaking, the river drops down a Victorian fish ladder into Fairy Glen. This is a secluded and photogenic gorge that has often been captured on canvas and celluloid. It is a protected wildlife site and is particularly rich in ferns and lichens, some of which are very rare these days. Some exciting flowering plants occur here like globeflower and early purple orchid and there is a variety of breeding birds associated with the river and woods including dipper, pied flycatcher, redstart, wood warbler and buzzard. Otters have also been seen here. Fairy Glen is not far from Beaver Bridge on the outskirts of Betws y Coed.

Other attractions nearby include the Riverside Chocolate House at Pentrefoelas where they produce hand-made continental style chocolates. There is also a tearoom offering a selection of desserts from the patisserie counter.

At Capel Garmon is a neolithic communal burial chamber built over 4000 years ago. It is believed that generations of neolithic farmers were buried here.

Gwydyr Forest Mountain Biking

Gwydyr Forest is today world renowned for its purpose-built mountain biking trails. There are still remnants of the native woodlands where rare bats, ferns, flowering plants and a diverse range of lichens and mosses occur.

However, its main draw is the 25 kilometre Marin Trail that incorporates "long challenging climbs up to miles of technical single-track weaving through trees and boulders, across streams and down snaking ridge lines to get your heart and brakes pumping".

There are also easier forest tracks for more leisurely cycling and walking and also nine graded walks which are pinpointed in the map-brochure produced by the Forestry Commission available from the Tourist Information Centre.

A useful guide to mountain biking in Wales is available from Tourist Information Centres or the same info is on the website links right.