The town is often referred to as one of Britain’s best-preserved medieval towns, and features the ‘most beautiful’ castle in all of Europe
If the darker nights and autumn chill are already getting you down, planning a trip to somewhere new can be a great way to lift your spirits.
With temperatures plummeting across the country, travellers have the choice between jetting off in search of some winter sun, or embracing the chill by booking a cosy staycation. Luckily, the UK is home to some great staycation destinations, with plenty of bustling cities, pretty towns and peaceful villages to choose from.
Conwy, a walled market town in North Wales, is one such destination. Standing on the west bank of the River Conwy, it’s often referred to as one of Britain’s best-preserved medieval towns.
No visit to Conwy is complete without a stop off at the castle. Dating back to the late thirteenth century, Conwy Castle is an imposing medieval fortress complete with winding staircases and high fortified walls stretching for three-quarters of a mile.
Not only is it known as one of the best-preserved castles, but it was also previously named the most beautiful castle in Europe by Condé Nast Traveller, beating the likes of Romania’s Bran Castle and Lithuania’s Trakai Island Castle to take the title.
One visitor on Tripadvisor said: “This place is wonderful – the castle itself is amazing and you can wander all around including climbing the towers, which gives great views of the wall surrounding the city and the city itself. It’s a fabulous glimpse of history and we are so happy we included this in our trip.”
Another must-see is the Smallest House in Great Britain, which measures just 72 inches wide by 122 inches high and has to be seen to be believed. Some of Wales’ best beaches can also be found nearby, with Angel Bay, Penrhyn Bay Beach and West Shore Beach all just 15 minutes away from Conwy by car.
Conwy offers visitors plenty of choice when it comes to food and drink, with award-winning restaurants Bryn Williams, Signatures and The Albion offering up local dishes like Conwy mussels and mountain-reared lamb. The town is also famed for its food events which spotlight local delicacies, including the Conwy Honey Fair and the country markets.
Exploring Conwy County more generally, you’ll find lots more things to do. Named by The Times as one of the top gardens to visit, Bodnant Gardens sits in 80 acres across the hillside of North Wales, with water features, Italian-style terraces and breathtaking views of the Snowdonia mountain range.
Casual walkers will enjoy a trip to Llandudno Pier, while the more avid exercisers can attempt to tackle the Great Orme, a spectacular limestone headland to the north-west of Llandudno. And if you fancy the views, but not the hike, you can make use of the Llandudno cable cars, which run along the Great Orme.
Christmas shopping will also be easy, with Llandudno known as North Wales’ top shopping centre. As well as two retail parks, Parc Llandudno and Mostyn Champneys, Llandudno also boasts a busy high street running right through the heart of the town.
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