Plas Mawr Conwy
Britain’s finest town house of the golden Elizabethan age
Never was a building better named. Plas Mawr, or the Great Hall, is quite simply the finest surviving Elizabethan town house anywhere in Britain.
This was a golden age when fabulously wealthy merchants invested in mansions, rich fittings and lavish entertaining. Robert Wynn, third son of a local landowner, wanted a piece of the action.
He entered the service of Tudor diplomats and travelled to the most splendid royal courts of Europe. His fortune made, he bought a mansion house in Conwy for £200 and between 1576 and 1585 turned it into a celebration of his life, times and wealth.
The house’s main frontage is discreetly hidden away in a steep narrow lane. So the High Street gatehouse only hints at the grandeur within, as you rise via a series of terraces to explore 17 impressive rooms.
You won’t have to look far for clues about its creator. Wynn’s initials – R.W. – can be found all over Plas Mawr’s vividly painted ornamental plasterwork.
Over the centuries it became a courthouse, a school and even an art gallery. Perhaps this continual use enabled it to remain so miraculously intact. Four years of painstaking restoration have recreated the Elizabethan garden and returned all the light-filled rooms to their original glory.
Smallest House in Britain
The Smallest House in Great Britain can be found nestled amongst a terrace of houses on Conwy's quayside. You really can't miss the smallest house and you'd be crazy not to pop in for a look on your way past. This national treasure has been recently refurbished and is well worth a few minutes of your time. Our visitors are impressed by the very special atmosphere of the house inside - visitors also enjoy a short history of the property.
Conwy Castle
Thanks to restored spiral staircases in its great towers you can walk a complete circuit around the battlements of Conwy Castle. We highly recommend it. This is one of the most magnificent medieval fortresses in Europe.
In the distance rise the craggy mountains of Snowdonia and spread out below you are the harbour and narrow streets of Conwy – still protected by an unbroken 1,400-yard (1.3km) ring of town walls.
Snowdonia
Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa in Welsh) is the highest mountain in Wales and England. It's one of our most famous and regonizable landmarks and is well worth a visit. Standing tall over the village of Llanberis, Snowdon is a part of a close-knit family of jagged peaks and can offer views of Snowdonia, Anglesey, Pembrokeshire and Ireland. Choose from six different paths to conquer this 1,085 metre (3,560 feet) giant which are the Llanberis path, Pyg Track, Miners’ Track, Watkin Path, Rhyd-Ddu Path or the Snowdon Ranger Path.
Bodnant Gardens
With intimate corners, sweeping lawns, grand terraces and verdant woodland, there are many gardens in one at Bodnant.
Created over 150 years, with plants collected and brought to Britain from far afield, and the incredible vision of generations of the McLaren family and Puddle head gardeners, this haven of rarity and beauty with a stunning backdrop of the Carneddau mountains of Snowdonia is a delight for the senses.
With year-round colour, the garden can be whatever you want it to be, whether that's a hive of activity or a haven of tranquility and relaxation, this is truly a special place for all ages.
Zip World (Bethesda)
Zip World Penrhyn Quarry is home to Velocity 2, the world's fastest zip line. Reaching speeds of up to 100 mph, it is also a guided adventure experience that lasts for approx 2 hours, and is located in the most dramatic of settings amongst the mountains of north Wales. Zip World is a first for the UK, the site contains four specially constructed and amazing zip lines, the 'little zipper' first will take you down to the bottom of the quarry, reaching speeds of up to 40mph, you will then pick up your specialised vehicle for a magnificent quarry tour in what was once the largest slate quarry in the world, before then zip lining back down over a mile, looking down at what was until the 1950s the largest man-made hole on the planet. Experience the nearest thing to flying today!
Adventure Parc Snowdonia
You’ll find Adventure Parc Snowdonia about seven miles from the sea in the heart of the Conwy Valley. This is the place where consistent waves are guaranteed – the world-first inland surf lagoon generates a perfect surfable wave every 90 seconds.
Its revolutionary design and engineering delivers different wave profiles in specific zones of the lagoon, so absolute beginners can surf safely alongside the more experienced. This is family-friendly surfing for all ages and abilities.
Surf Snowdonia’s highly-qualified surf coaches, structured lessons and reliable waves mean that you can fast-track your surfing skills – taking you from zero to hero a lot quicker than would be possible in the sea. The Surf Academy offers school holiday kids clubs as well as residential surf camps.
Adventure Parc Snowdonia includes:
Adrenaline Indoors
Nature-inspired high-thrills experience for all ages. Weatherproof family fun including:
*Adrenaline Pass
*Climbing Walls
*Artificial Caving
*Soft Play
*Via Ferrata
*Gravity Pack
Ideally positioned for exploring the beautiful Conwy Valley and Snowdonia National Park.
Parking and spectator entry to Surf Snowdonia is free