CONWY, a World Heritage Site, is the gateway to SNOWDONIA.  The town is dominated by its 13th century castle which overlooks the medieval streets and  harbour. CONWY is an excellent base for exploring NORTH WALES and a journey in any direction takes you to stunning scenery and empty beaches.

So, you want to come to Wales? You'd like to see mountains, the coast, a castle and galleries and find great food and interesting places. Sounds like a lot of travelling, but not if you head for CONWY.Deganwy is a lovely villiage with local cafes and shops a short walk to beach.

This little gem on the North Wales coast is a microcosm of the whole region - it has everything you're looking for, and more besides. The town is full of character and is packed with fascinating sights along every higgledy-piggledy cobbled street and winding lane.

The townscape is dominated by the imposing 13th century castle and walls which surround the old town. Edward ordered the building work in 1283 after he had defeated the Welsh and established English control of the Conwy valley.
 

 

A series of Welsh rebellions had convinced him that a network of heavily fortified castles was needed to subdue the natives. The castle, which overlooks the Conwy Estuary, has massive walls and eight huge round towers.

As the Welsh became less rebellious, Edward turned his attentions to picking fights with the Scots. But in 1403, with the English distracted, Owain Glyndwr led a rebellion which took the castle but then he gave it back in exchange for a ransom.

The perfectly preserved castle and walls remain an impressive sight and are visible from just about everywhere around the town.

Mountains apart, the castle is the biggest thing you'll find round these parts, but on a more modest scale there's Britain's smallest house, a tiny red-walled cottage by the quayside.

And around the corner, Plas Mawr is one of the best preserved Elizabethan homes in the world, filled with original fixtures, fittings and furnishings and open to the public throughout the year.

And although Conwy stands on a compact site by the mouth of the river Conwy, it has lots of other attractions, including historic houses and museums, galleries and studios and the marina and nature reserve. The town also hosts a packed programme of events, fairs and festivals throughout the year and the wider Conwy Valley is scattered with pretty villages, wonderful walks and stunning scenery.

Every year hundreds of thousands of visitors come from all over the globe to savour the charming town's many delights; as you admire the buildings, shops and breath-taking views, you'll hear all manner of accents and languages which highlight Conwy's international appeal.

​

DEGANWY CENTRAL LOCATION FOR SITESEEING North Wales