Conwy is a small, historic, walled town nestled by River Conwy on the north coast of Wales. The town is surrounded by glorious scenery and while small, there are plenty of things to see and do. This includes Conwy Castle and Conwy Town Walls, which offer panoramic vistas, beautiful Bodnant Garden, and the Quay House, the smallest house in the UK. Conwy Mountain or Mynydd y Dref offers a large network of walking trails, picturesque lakes, and an Iron Age hillfort. The best place to relax and people-watch is Conwy Marina and Conwy Quay, with all its own attractions. Read more about these and more of the top things to do in Conwy, UK, by scrolling below.
1. Soak in the history and views at Conwy Castle (from USD 512.0)
Conwy Castle is a magnificent medieval fortress, that has stood over the town for 700 years. The spiral staircases in the towers have been restored, allowing visitors to do a complete circuit of the battlements. Up here you can enjoy panoramic views of the towering Snowdonia Mountains and the streets and harbor of Conwy. The entire town is encircled by a still unbroken ring of defensive walls. While in the castle, imagine the life of King Edward I here. His architect, Master James of St. George, built the walls and the castle in an amazing four years from 1283 to 1287.
Private Snowdonia, Bodnant Gardens & Castles Tour
Duration: 9 hours
2. Stroll across Conwy Suspension Bridge
Located a two-minute walk from Conwy Castle and crossing the river, Conwy Suspension Bridge was one of the first road suspension bridges to be built in the world. While the Grade I-listed structure was originally used for road traffic, these days it is pedestrian-only. Conwy Suspension Bridge is under the care of the National Trust. Do check in out when in town. It is an architectural marvel.
Conwy Suspension Bridge
Address: Conwy LL32 8LD, UK
3. Stoop to enter Quay House
The Smallest House in Great Britain, also known as Quay House, is located on the quayside in Conwy. While small, the house tends to stand out, due to its red color. The property was originally built in 1900 as an infill property, connecting the homes on either side. Since then, a number of the houses on the street have been demolished, leaving Quay House at the end of the terrace. The house was confirmed to be the smallest house in Great Britain by the Guinness Book of Records.
Quay House, the Smallest House in Great Britain
Address: 10 Lower Gate St, Conwy LL32 8BE, UK
Website: Quay House
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 1pm - 5pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 5pm
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4. Go for a walk in the fresh air at RSPB Conwy
RSPB Conwy is a nature reserve under the care of Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The nature reserve lies along the Conwy estuary and offers a range of habitats, including scrubland, grassland, salt marsh, reed beds, and mudflats. Ideal for bird lovers, a variety of wildlife species can be spotted here, including the black-tailed godwit, lapwing, sedge warbler, shelduck, and water rail. A visitor center is available with toilets and a picnic area, nature trails, a café, shop, binocular hire, guided walks, and educational facilities. There is also a play area for the kids.
RSPB Conwy
Address: Llandudno Junction, N Wales Expy, Conwy LL31 9XZ, UK
Website: RSPB Conwy
Opening hours: 9:30am - 5pm (daily)
5. People watch at Conwy Quay
Conwy Quay is at the waterfront in Conwy and is lined with a selection of shops and cafes. The quay offers a number of boating facilities, as well as boat trips and sailing trips in the area. Conwy Quay is a three-minute walk from Conwy Castle and is an ideal place to stroll and people watch. Close by, Quay Hotel & Spa offers comfortable accommodation.
Conwy Quay
Address: Conwy Harbour Office, Conwy Quay, Conwy LL32 8BB, UK
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
6. Enjoy exploring Aberconwy House
Aberconwy House was built in the 15th century and is the last surviving medieval merchant’s house in the town. The two lower floors of the house are stone, while the upper story is half-timbered and stands out over the street below. Inside an oriel window and stone fireplace can be seen. Little of its history is known, but the National Trust acquired the property in 1934. Interesting to note, the house had been purchased by Alexander Campbell, the Blair of Llandudno, to stop it being shipped off to America.
Aberconwy House
Address: Castle St, Conwy LL32 8AY, UK
Website: Aberconwy House
7. Visit the historic Plas Mawr
Plas Mawr is a striking Elizabethan townhouse, constructed in the 16th century for Robert Wynn. While there are a number of historic houses in Conwy, Plas Mawr (or the Great Hall) stands out with its beautiful and unique architecture. The walls are lime-rendered, while the interior is richly decorated and fully restored. Throughout, the owner’s initials, “R.W.” can be seen, along with coats of arms and crests. Many of the furnishings are original to the house. Visitors can enjoy an audio tour, describing the life of the Tudor gentry and the process of the restoration of the house.
Plas Mawr
Address: High St, Conwy LL32 8DE, UK
Website: Plas Mawr
8. Soak up the sun on Conwy Morfa Beach
Conway Morfa Beach lies on a spit formed from marshy land at the western end of Conwy on the edge of River Conwy estuary. The beach is locally dubbed “The Morfa.” At low tide, expansive sandy beaches and mussel banks become available. The beach is ideal for fishing, is next to a golf course, and has a marina. In the area, there are a number of cafes, restaurants, and shops. The beach is also ideal for bird watching, making sandcastles, and enjoying the view. Families should note, there is no lifeguard here.
Conwy Morfa Beach
Address: Conwy LL32 8GA, UK
9. Browse the art at Royal Cambrian Academy
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The Royal Cambrian Academy of Art is situated in Conwy and is part of a charity set up to support Welsh art and artists. It is considered to be a center for artistic excellence in Wales and the work of more than 100 artist members can be seen and purchased here. Exhibits change regularly with promotions for upcoming artists. The center is also a venue for education and art classes.
Royal Cambrian Academy
Address: Crown Ln, Conwy LL32 8AN, UK
Website: Royal Cambrian Academy
Opening hours: Thu - Sat: 11am - 4pm (closed from Sun - Wed)
10. Say 'Cheers!' at The Albion
The Albion is one of the finest examples of a public house from the 1920s. Its architectural significance and beautiful, historic setting make the Albion unique in Great Britain. The back bar is the original bar in the main room and has a hatch linking to a rear snug. Four of the ten hand pulls on the bar are original. The snug and lounge have the original fixed seating with push bells, used in the past to summon the bartender and a baronial fireplace.
The Albion
Address: Upper Gate St, Conwy LL32 8RF, UK
Website: The Albion
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 12pm - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 12am
11. Join a walking tour of the medieval walls (from USD 24.0)
The Conwy medieval town walls are an impressive sight and are recognized as part of the UNESCO World Heritage site. On this guided tour, you will have the opportunity to witness these walls and even walk along the wall-top of most of the circuit. The vantage point provides breathtaking views of the Snowdonia mountains and the stunning Conwy Estuary, with the added bonus of admiring the enormous castle.
Throughout the tour, you will discover the defensive structures of the gates, portcullises, and watchtowers and learn how they were constructed without modern machinery. Additionally, you will gain insights into why these walls were built and learn about the history of Wales as England’s first colony.
Medieval Walls Walking Tour in Conwy
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
12. Experience sustainability and education at Conwy Brewery
Conwy Brewery provides a captivating and unique experience for beer lovers. Every Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm, expert guides will take you on an enlightening journey through the eco-friendly brewery. They will share the captivating history of the brewery and walk you through the intriguing process of beer-making from scratch.
Following the tour, you can relax in the inviting taproom, where you will be served two complimentary half pints of beer, and you can even take a bottle home with you. However, what sets this brewery apart is its commitment to the environment. Their sustainable practices include the use of a solar generation system, repurposing spent grain for cattle feed and reusing waste beer and yeast in anaerobic digestion to produce energy.
Conwy Brewery Ltd
Address: 2, Ty Mawr Enterprise Park, Tan-Y-Graig Rd, Llysfaen, Colwyn Bay LL29 8UE, United Kingdom
Website: Conwy Brewery Ltd
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 5pm - 10pm; Fri - Sun: 12pm-11pm
Have fun exploring historic Conwy
This small, walled market town, nestled on River Conwy and the coast of northern Wales has so much to offer visitors. Take some time to explore all the historic, cultural, artistic, and other fun attractions which form a part of some of the best things to do in Conwy, UK, detailed here.
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