Holiday rentals in Conwy

Boasting one of Wales’ grandest castles, a pretty harbour, and a stunning suspension bridge, the sight of Conwy on arrival is hard to beat. It sits in the middle of North Wales, a few miles from the mouth of the wide river from which the town takes its name. The handsome Victorian resort of Llandudno is five miles across the water, while the peaks of Snowdonia sit to its south.

Conwy Castle is especially glorious. Its eight towers can be climbed for stunning views, as can 13 others on the remarkably preserved medieval walls that still enclose the town. The quayside is especially lovely, dotted with locals and visitors enjoying ice cream, fish and chips, and the local pubs. It’s also home to a famous local landmark, the smallest house in Great Britain, and other old buildings you can visit, such as the gorgeous Aberconwy House, a 14th-century Tudor treasure, and the stunning Elizabethan mansion Plas Mawr.

Summers are a big hit for this pretty harbour town and often mean warm weather, but never forget your raincoat and umbrella when you’re visiting North Wales. Every July, the Conwy River Festival hosts on-the-water and quayside events for all ages, with old-fashioned fairground rides and food market stalls. The Gwledd Conwy Feast is a popular international food festival held in high season, throwing art and music into the mix. Conwy is a wonderful retreat in autumn and winter and a great time to check out the town’s upscale restaurants. As winter turns into spring, the North Wales Choir Festival is held here, providing a warm welcome in view of the hillsides, and a great time to cozy up in one of Conwy’s holiday cottages.

The Smallest House in Britain

Get your photo taken outside the red-painted front of this tiny two-storey terrace on the quayside: it’s an unavoidable rite of passage for any new Conwy visitor. At only three metres high, and just under two metres wide, it’s a tight squeeze to get inside. (Unbelievably, its last occupant was a lofty local fisherman who was 1.9 metres tall.)

Royal Cambrian Academy

This Victorian institution is an unique, self-funded academy celebrating Welsh art, supporting 150 practising sculptors, painters, printmakers, and architects. Its small permanent collection focuses on portraiture, while its annual open competition showcases contemporary talent.

Conwy Water Gardens

Four miles out of town, just inside Snowdonia National Park, you’ll find nature trails, lakes, woods, and waterfalls, plus basking otters if you’re lucky, and Dutch pancakes in its cafe.