North Wales can provide endless family days out walking, exploring and discovering something of its history. Conwy is such a great town that provides a variety of activities that are suitable for families. Just a stone's throw away from the A55 dual carriageway, it is an ideal venue for a day out.
Conwy Castle
Built for Edward the First, by Master James of St. George, the castle is amongst the finest surviving medieval fortifications in Great Britain (cadw events). Two fortified gateways (barbicans), eight massive towers and a great bow-shaped hall all sit within its distinctive elongated shape, due in part to the narrow rocky outcrop on which the castle stands. Although the bridge leading to the Castle gives the impression of a drawbridge, it only dates from 1826. This graceful suspension bridge designed by Thomas Telford, makes a delicate contrast with the mighty bulk of the ancient Castle.
The massive fifteen-foot thick walls guarded by twenty two towers stretch for three-quarters of a mile around the town, making Conwy one of the finest walled towns of the medieval period (About Britain). Today visitors can still walk the Castle walls, enjoying views around the town and Harbour. Conwy castle affords spectacular views across the sea and mountains of Snowdonia. It is just off the A55 and easily accessible from the North West of England and mid Wales.
Conwy Mountain
Conwy Mountain stands proud to the west of Conwy and is served by a good network of paths, including the North Wales Path. The Conwy Mountain Trail runs along the ridge on Conwy Mountain behind the ancient Walled town of Conwy (Wales Directory). There are spectacular views toward Anglesey and the Snowdonia Range in the West, to the limestone headland of the Great Orme at Llandudno in the North, to the Clwydian Hills in the East. In summer the hill is a beautiful purple shade of heather and is home to such birds as chough, dunnock and raven. The summit is also the site of an Iron Age hillfort. There are numerous walks to explore, some of which include walking right over the mountain to Dwygyfylchi and Penmaenmawr beach.
Plas Mawr Elizabethan Town House
At the heart of Medieval Conwy stands Plas Mawr, the "Great Hall", built between 1576 and 1585 for the Welsh merchant, Robert Wynn (About Britain). Possibly the best preserved Elizabethan town house in Great Britain, it has a spectacular look-out tower. The interior with its elaborately decorated plaster ceilings and fine wooden screens, reflecting the wealth and influence of the Tudor gentry in Wales, has been almost entirely restored (cadw Wales).
Conwy Harbour
Conwy Harbour is one of the busiest recreational boating harbours in Wales (About Britain). Once a thriving port, slate would have been brought here from the Ffestiniog mines and transported all over the world. The harbour is easily accessible from the town and has parking and restaurant facilities.
You may also like to explore the Vale of Llangollen and the world famous Pontsyllte Aqueduct
Sources:
- About Britain. Information retrieved 3rd January 2011.
- Cadw Wales. Information retrieved 3rd January 2011
- Heritage Events in Wales (cadw events). Information retrieved 3rd January 2011
- Wales Directory. Information retrieved 3rd January 2011
Linda Smallwood - Hi my name is Linda Smallwood. I am married with two sons aged 13 and 11 and live in North Wales. After 18 years working for The ...
