If you ever want to visit North Wales, Conwy is a great place to base yourself. Before you head out to explore North Wales, there are interesting attractions to see in Conwy and Llandudno.
Town Wall
For the history buffs, you will learn a lot about Edward I when you visit Conwy and North Wales. The Town Walls were built in the 1280s for defence and are still standing today for you to walk along.
Uneven paths lead you around the outside of the town centre on the wall
You can walk the wall from the esplanade to Conwy Castle. It is steep in parts, and the ground is uneven, but you have great views over the rooftops.
The steep and uneven ground on a steep part of the Wall
It's not a long walk, 30-40 minutes, depending on how many stops you make to take in the views but well worth it.
Conwy Castle from the top of the town wall
Conwy Castle
Built in the 1280s by Edward I, Conwy Castle is now a shell of its former self.
Walking on the walls of the castle
The views from the top stretch out as far as the eye can see
The Castle has been rebuilt each time it fell into disrepair, which started happening not long after it was first built. That ceased in 1645, and we are left with what we see today.
You can learn all about the Castle's history as you walk around, going up the spiral staircases and imagining just how big this castle would have been.
There is plenty of the castle to explore
If you love photography, then being on the bridge at sunset is the place for you. After the sun has set, you can capture the colour from the lights that dance upon the walls of the Castle.
This photo was taken halfway across the bridge when the lights are on, and the colour comes out
If you love history and walking around ruins, this should be on your list of places to visit. Although it's in ruins, the walls are still intact as are the towers, giving you a sense of what it was like nearly 750 years ago.
Plas Mawr
The unassuming entrance to Plas Mawr. You'll be surprised by what's behind the door
Plas Mawr is the Elizabethan House that everyone should visit when in Conwy. Beautifully decorated down to the straw on the floor, you feel as though you've stepped back in time.
Straw on the floor adds to the authenticity
The audio guide that is included in your ticket price is the best I have ever heard. As you go from room to room, Robert Wynn, who built the house in the 16th Century, and his second wife Dorothy, tell you what happens in each room with a bit of added humour.
The Courtyard gives you some idea of how big the house is
An exhibition on the second floor shows you how people lived, superstitions, and how a medical diagnosis was made.
Colour, furniture and even food on the tables add to the reality.
The Great Hall, with its ornate ceiling, fireplace mantle and table set ready for the party of guests
Even if you do just one attraction in Conwy, this would be the one that I would highly recommend.
Smallest House in Great Britain
Located on the waterfront, the Smallest House in Great Britain is a must-do. This place is so unbelievably small it has to be seen to be believed.
The little red house at the end of the row of houses
For £1, you can take a peek inside and hear a recording on the history of this fantastic house.
Once you step inside, stretch out your arms to see how little space there is in there. A 6-foot 3-inch man once lived here incredibly as well as an elderly couple.
With no bathroom or kitchen, it's hard to imagine how anyone can live here. Up the ladder, to the second floor, you can see the bedroom.
You can't get into the bedroom but can climb a few ladder rungs and see what it's like.
Inside the bedroom of the smallest house
Llandudno
If you don't have a car, you can take the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus and see the sights of Llandudno, the nearby town.
Lewis Carroll's, Alice, from Alice in Wonderland, spent her summer holidays in Llandudno. There are now statues all over Llandudno that depict the different characters from his tale.
The Mad Hatter along the esplanade in Llandudno
Great Orme Country Park
Not only is Llandudno a beach town with a long esplanade to walk along but you can explore the countryside on the Great Orme Country Park.
The summit of the Great Orme Country Park
You can wander around all day up here exploring the views, visitors centre, Great Orme Copper Mines, and on the summit, the Rest and Be Thankful Cafe.
You can arrive by car as there is a carpark on the summit or you can take the Great Orme Tramway up.
Great Orme Tramway
I arrived in Llandudno late mid-afternoon, so didn't have time to do much exploring but I did take the tramway to the summit.
The Tram is heading up to the summit station
The Tram has been taking visitors to the summit since 1902. At peak times it leaves every 10-minutes, 20-minutes other times.
This is a great way to see the views of Llandudno as you head up on the Tram. At the top, the views stretch up and down the coastline for miles.
Llandudno from the Tram
In the visitor centre at the summit is an exhibition on the history, ecology, and wildlife in the area. Interactive displays and videos help you learn about this fantastic spot.
Looking across towards Conwy from the summit
One of the locals on the Great Orme
The Tram stops halfway up where you can get off for the Bronze Age Copper Mines and walk around. You walk through the station, seeing the inner workings of the system, and then catch the Tram either up to the summit or back down to the town.
St. Tudno's Church, an Iron Age fort and Stone Age remains are also in the Country Park for you to discover.
Conwy and Llandudno have fantastic attractions to visit, and it's a great place to base yourself while you explore the rest of North Wales. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
