In Conwy Where Snowdonia Meets the Sea WINTER GUIDE 2019/2020 #GetWrappedUp Outdoor and Indoor Adventure in a winter break Named by Lonely Planet as one of the world’s best places to visit, North Wales is now regarded as the UK’s adventure capital. From adrenaline rushes to coastal path walks, experience the best that the outdoors has to offer, with a unique North Wales take on it. Discover unmissable adventure, magical scenery and unique experiences. The toughest thing to do in Llandudno and Conwy County is to fit everything in to a winter staycation! There’s so much on offer - whether it’s a family break, adventure getaway or a relaxing retreat you’re after, this part of North Wales has it all. Get wrapped up in adventure, food and drink, history and home-from-home cosiness all in one trip. Explore the Great Orme Country Park, the mountains of Snowdonia or take a bracing walk on Wales’ longest pier. From the stunning Conwy Valley to Hiraethog, discovering magical villages, unmissable experiences and events has never been so exciting. Autumn and winter in Conwy see the county undergo a beautiful transformation. Our woodlands are an explosion of russet, yellow and gold making for some spectacular sights. Enjoy a magical winter break in a cosy cottage, a sumptuous seafront hotel or a Adventure Parc country inn with a roaring log fire and a warming hot chocolate Snowdonia, as you take in the stunning views around you. Dolgarrog 01492 353123 In January, wrap up and see the crashing waves on a beach walk Map ref: D3 along the Wales Coast Path. Get out and about exploring the Already home to a winter scenery or even try your hand at a new activity. world-first inland surf lagoon, Adventure Parc Late January or February is perfect for a romantic getaway. Snowdonia now has a new Llandudno Plan a St Dwynwen (patron saint of Welsh lovers), or a weather-proof adventure Snowsports Centre Valentine’s mini-break with your special someone. Enjoy facility. Adrenaline Indoors 01492 874707 leisurely walks, adrenaline adventures and epic scenery that features one of the UK’s Map ref: A3 will provide magical memories to last forever. longest artificial caving Go downhill fast at systems, indoor and outdoor Llandudno Snowsports climbing & racer walls, leaps Centre. When better to of faith, stunt jumps, possibly work on your winter sports What's Inside the most extreme slides skills than during the colder 3−5 Outdoor and Indoor Adventure you’ll ever encounter, and months? If you prefer to 6−8 Heritage, Culture, Gardens the UK’s only kicker flight take things sitting down, ride the 2,500ft/750m Cresta Family Favourites slide. Adventurers can even 9 Run, the longest toboggan Stay, Eat, Drink, Shop take a tandem zip line from 10 the rooftop to fly over the run in Wales. 11 Stage and Screen surf lagoon. There’s also a 12−13 Festivals, Events and Winter Getaways soft play area for toddlers. 14 Map of Conwy County 2 VISITCONWY.ORG.UK VISITCONWY.ORG.UK 3 Go Below, Near Betws−y−Coed 01690 710108 Map ref: G4 Go Below Underground and Adventure is the ultimate so the dramatic subterranean adventure experience. In former mines begins deep beneath Snowdonia you’ll discover a world of deep blue lakes, zip wires, bridges, ladders and abseils. It’s an assault course like no other. GYG Karting, Cerrigydrudion Boathouse 01490 420770 Mountain Biking Climbing Centre, Hardcore riders will make Map ref: I7 Llandudno for unmissable experiences Feed your need for speed at 01492 353535 like the wild woodland GYG Karting. It’s the largest Map ref: A3 tracks around Penmachno karting circuit in the UK, Llandudno’s Old Lifeboat and Betws-y-Coed, providing high-octane thrills Station is the new home including the mighty for racers of all ages. of the Boathouse Climbing 16-mile Gwydir Mawr Trail. Centre that will appeal to Zip World Fforest, all-comers, beginners and Plas y Brenin, Betws−y−Coed experts alike. It features 01248 601444 around 200 square metres Cycling Capel Curig Amid the airy, moody 01690 720214 Map ref: G4 of climbing surface with a landscapes of Mynydd Map ref: F2 Take to the trees with bouldering wall 4.5 meters Hiraethog you’ll find Now’s the time to see the friends and family at Zip high. The climbing tower is family-friendly routes white stuff on Snowdonia’s World Fforest to tackle 8 meters high with a series around the Alwen and peaks. Get to grips with ropes, nets and swings of lead climbs and top Llyn Brenig reservoirs. these mountains under strung through the canopy. rope, with many routes that For road cyclists there are expert tuition on outdoor There’s also the Fforest are challenging the most lung-busting climbs and courses run by Plas y Coaster toboggan run and experienced climbers. the Plummet 2, a pulse- gentle family trails like Brenin National Mountain Sports Centre. They cover pounding 100ft/30m drop Wales Coast Path the Conwy Cycle Route, through a trapdoor that’s the There’s never a bad time to an almost entirely traffic- everything from climbing to closest thing to freefall this dip into our section of the free 30-mile coastal cruise. canoeing, mountain biking side of an aeroplane. legendary Wales Coast Path. to hiking. It stretches almost 35 miles between Kinmel Bay and Llanfairfechan, so you’ll have plenty of waterfront walking If you’re planning your own to choose from. outdoor adventures, take a look at adventuresmart.uk Don't forget! Opening Its advice on weather, gear times and facilities may and skills helps you stay safe. change without notice so please contact the individual 4 VISITCONWY.ORG.UK attractions before setting off. VISITCONWY.ORG.UK 5 heritAGe DOLWYDDELAN CASTLE CUltUre 01690 750366 Map ref: H2 It may be smaller than Conwy, GArdens but Dolwyddelan Castle is still a rock star. Built by Llywelyn the Great (13th-century Prince of Gwynedd and de facto ruler of most of Wales), its setting on a rocky ridge amid the peaks of Snowdonia has drama to spare. ABERCONWY HOUSE CONWY CULTURE CENTRE 01492 592246 Map ref: B3 01492 576139 Map ref: B3 This 14th-century merchant’s Scheduled to open in winter house, a rare survivor through 2019/20, the new Conwy centuries of turbulent history, Culture Centre brings Conwy’s stands as a living time heritage to 21st-century life. capsule. Inside, the rooms are Housed in a striking modern furnished to illustrate different building just outside the town periods in Aberconwy’s long walls, it will be home to a life, giving a peek into our library and the Conwy Archive, Jacobean, Georgian and plus an arts and heritage hub Victorian past. The house is featuring interactive exhibits LLANDUDNO PIER open daily from March to 3 and displays from the county’s 01492 876258 Map ref: A3 Nov from 10am to 5pm. Open historic collections. What’s not to like about piers? At Llandudno, we have the weekends only 9 Nov to 22 longest in Wales. So wrap up and blow the cobwebs away with Dec from 11am to 4pm. a walk to the end and back. And if you’re still in the mood for walking, continue along our rather lovely prom (which we think looks even more magical all lit up after dark). CONWY CASTLE 01492 592358 Map ref: B3 If anything, Conwy Castle looks even more dramatic when silhouetted against a dark, brooding winter sky. Walk the ramparts to sense its power, undiminished 800 years after it was constructed as part of King Edward I’s campaign against Wales. For some of the best castle and estuary views, take a walk along Conwy’s medieval walls. Stretching nearly unbroken around the Winter Light town’s heart, they’re some of the longest and best-preserved On 16 Nov and 14 Dec the in Europe. No wonder both they and the castle have been castle will be illuminated in designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. white as part of the Winter Light event in Llandudno. See page 13. 6 VISITCONWY.ORG.UK VISITCONWY.ORG.UK 7 FAMILY MOSTYN, LLANDUDNO 01492 879201 Map ref: A3 FAVOURITES One of the UK’s best contemporary art galleries. It’s also a fascinating architectural achievement, with a gold-spired The Welsh Mountain Edwardian façade giving way to a series of strikingly modern Zoo, Colwyn Bay interior spaces. Inside you’ll find a shifting programme of 01492 532938 Map ref: B5 exhibitions that showcase the best in contemporary art and craft Doesn’t just contain a Noah’s Conwy Valley from Wales and beyond. There’s also a cool café and stylish shop Ark of creatures - everything selling jewellery, ceramics, prints and books. Open Tue to Sun. from sea lions to snow Railway Museum, . leopards. It’s also playing Betws−y−Coed its part in the fight to save 01690 710568 Map ref: G4 ROYAL CAMBRIAN ACADEMY BODNANT GARDEN, endangered species from Rail enthusiasts love Conwy around the world. Valley Railway Museum, OF ART, CONWY EGLWYSBACH located right next to the 01492 593413 Map ref: B3 01492 650460 Map ref: D4 main station. Climb aboard Royal Cambrian Academy Bodnant’s Winter Garden, a miniature steam train for focuses on artistic excellence created in the last 10 years, an eight-minute trip through in Wales, with a mix of historic is the seasonal jewel in its landscaped grounds, visit a and contemporary works. crown. This former rockery has museum full of fascinating The gallery space holds matured into a richly colourful railway artefacts and browse exhibitions, talks and display of foliage and flower the huge collection of model workshops.