Woodland walks, frosty mornings and more: how to make the most of Conwy County this winter

Wrap up well and put your best foot forward: the days are getting longer, which means more time for country walks. Base yourself in Llandudno, for example, and you’ll have wild, breezy Great Orme right on your doorstep. 

Even though the Great Orme Tramway doesn’t re-open until March, there are several exciting ways to explore on foot. The Great Orme Historical Trails take you all the way back to the Stone Age in as little as two hours – or longer, for a more in-depth look at this remarkable archaeological site – while the Nature Trail leads you through the grassy domain of Great Orme’s Kashmir goats, which are expecting kids at this time of year. 

You may also see conservationists at work: the heathland up on Great Orme is cut every winter to encourage native seedlings to grow.

For magnificent views of the mountains of Snowdonia in all their wintry glory, take a woodland hike in Coed Craig Forris, part of Gwydir Forest Park near Betws-y-coed. Conwy County also includes a 35-mile stretch of the Wales Coast Path.

Town or country? Your stay, your way

If you know Llandudno and Conwy, you’ll know that we have no shortage of great places to stay – the largest choice in Wales, in fact. If you fancy a few days in town, you could indulge in the glamour of one of our luxurious hotels, relax in a cosy guest house or do your own thing in a self-catering apartment.

Plan a sparkling day out

Visiting our castles, gardens and nature reserves in winter gives you a chance to see them in a new light, enjoying experiences unique to the season. Conwy Castle, which is open to the public almost every day of the year, looks more splendid than ever when snow dusts its battlements. Bodnant Garden has a special sparkle in winter, too: arrive at 10am, when it opens, and there may still be frost twinkling on the lawns and borders – a treat for botanical photographers.

RSPB Conwy – a haven for wetland wildlife, just half a mile from Llandudno Junction station – welcomes migratory species galore at this time of year. Feathery visitors that keen birders may spot around the estuary and lagoons include spotted redshanks, shovelers, mergansers, great white egrets and whooper swans, which spend the warmer months in Iceland.

Eat, drink, shop… and relax

With the hectic run-up to Christmas a distant memory, why not rediscover the pleasures of a leisurely shopping trip, followed by hot chocolate, locally brewed real ale or a glass of wine in front of a roaring fire? Llandudno is a wonderful place to indulge.
You could browse our many independent shops and galleries for special gifts, sample tasty treats in our cafés and restaurants, or join a tour of the new Penderyn Distillery on Lloyd Street to find out how Penderyn’s award-winning spirits are is made. Like their original distillery in the Brecon Beacons, the new site features a Faraday Still: a single copper-pot system which gives Penderyn’s whiskies their unique flavour, purity and strength.