Green at heart – explore rural Conwy

Inland from the coast, Conwy County is a green patchwork of grassy valleys, wooded hills, high moorland and rugged mountains just waiting to be discovered.

Enjoy new experiences, explore our favourite family attractions, and discover our hidden gems.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend, or a family getaway, our places to stay cover all bases, from luxury country houses, boutique accommodation to great-value bed and breakfasts, well-equipped caravan parks to self-catering apartments.

Here’s a quick guide to what you can find in our rural towns and villages. Make sure you don’t miss a thing on your next trip with Visit Conwy. Our website is full of ideas of things to do and see on your visit. There’s a great itinerary planning tool too.

Lower Conwy Valley

What’s the story? The Conwy Valley is a gorgeous green corridor leading from the sea to the mountains of Eryri. But it’s a mistake to rush through, for the valley and its surrounding are dotted with pretty villages and numerous places to see and things to do.

Don’t miss. Bodnant Garden – a National Trust treasure that packs amazing horticultural variety into its 80 acres. Across the valley at Rowen, there’s Conwy Water Gardens, an aquatic centre with fishing lakes, reptile house and nature walks. Adventure Parc Snowdonia in Dolgarrog is all about exciting activities. The Water Parc lagoon now offers kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding and Adrenaline Indoors has high ropes, indoor caving, extreme slides and an outdoor zip wire.

Llanrwst

What’s the story? Handsome ‘capital’ and historic market town for the Conwy Valley. Gwydir Chapel in beautiful St Grwst’s Church contains the elaborately carved coffin of Welsh medieval leader Llywelyn the Great, who died at Aberconwy Abbey in 1240. Browse and buy in the town’s independent shops, discover the riverside walk or enjoy a tasty treat in one of the friendly cafés.

Don’t miss. Nearby Gwydir Castle and Gwydir Uchaf Chapel reveal more of the area’s eventful past. Llanrwst is bordered by the popular Gwydir Forest Park, a lovely area latticed with numerous trails for all abilities. The ivy-covered Tu Hwnt i’r Bont must be one of the most photographed tea rooms in Wales. Call in to sample their afternoon tea.

Betws-y-Coed

What’s the story? This bustling mountain resort is the official ‘gateway to Eryri/Snowdonia’. As well as the huge choice of outdoor activities on its doorstep, its popularity can also be explained by the outstanding range of shops selling everything from quality crafts to walking boots. No wonder it was recently named the best holiday destination in the UK by Go Outdoors.

Don’t miss. One of your first stops should be the Eryri National Park Information Centre, a fount of knowledge on things to see and do locally. Take to the trees with friends and family at Zip World Fforest to tackle ropes, nets and swings strung through the canopy. Or experience the thrill of a ride one the Fforest Coaster toboggans. Then watch the rushing waters at nearby Swallow Falls. 

Penmachno

What’s the story? Mountain village beautifully located amongst open countryside and forested hills. Sitting in a quiet hidden valley on the edge of Penmachno, you will find Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant - a modest 16th-century farmhouse and birthplace of William Morgan whose translation of the Bible into Welsh helped to ensure the survival of the language. The buildings and toilets are temporarily closed but the exhibition room, the garden and grounds are open daily.

Don’t miss. Penmachno Forest’s network of trails are the ‘hidden gem’ of mountain biking in North Wales. Go Below Underground Adventure is the ultimate dramatic subterranean experience. In former mines 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.

Pentrefoelas

What’s the story? Stagecoaches use to stop here on the main route into North Wales, at a village well located for exploring the Conwy Valley and Hiraethog. Today’s travellers – especially chocoholics – stop off at the Riverside Chocolate House and Tearoom for delicious hand-made goodies.

Don’t miss. Go north of the village to see a copy of the Levelinus Stone, a tall monument inscribed in Welsh and Latin and given to the medieval Welsh leader Llywelyn the Great by the Cistercian monks of Aberconwy Abbey (the original is now housed in the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff).

Cerrigydrudion

What’s the story? Village on the A5 at the southern gateway to Hiraethog. It’s home to Glan y Gors karting, a British Championship circuit and extremely popular as a day out. Nearby Llyn Brenig and the smaller Llyn Alwen are reservoirs with plentiful leisure facilities, including walking, cycling, fishing and wildlife watching.

Don’t miss. Go first to Llyn Brenig’s visitor centre to get your bearings and learn all about the 2500 acres of forest, moorland and lakes. Visit the osprey exhibition to find out more about the ospreys that have made Llyn Brenig their home since 2013 and may be seen there from April until August. Book your tickets for the hide to get a closer view. During the cooler months of the year, the expert dog mushers at Mynydd Sleddog Adventures take passengers for rides through the nearby forests, and during the late spring and summer, when it's too warm for the dogs to run, experience a husky hiking adventure

Llangernyw

What’s the story? Pretty village in the beautiful Elwy Valley on the northern edge of Hiraethog.

Don’t miss. Sir Henry Jones Museum, in a preserved 19th-century workman’s cottage, is a museum of Welsh rural life that tells the story of a famous educational reformer

Trefriw

What’s the story? Trefriw is an excellent base for exploring the great outdoors. Discover the village’s idyllic surroundings by following one of the Trefriw Trails.

Don’t miss. The village’s long-established woollen mill produces distinctive Welsh tapestries and tweeds. Llyn Crafnant, a fishing lake, and Llyn Geirionydd, popular for watersports, hide themselves away in the forested hills above the village

Dolwyddelan

What’s the story? Mountain village set amongst craggy landscapes close to Betws-y-Coed.

Don’t miss. Dolwyddelan Castle, on the ridge above, was a fortress of the native Princes of Gwynedd. 

Capel Curig

What’s the story? Village close to all of Eryri National Park’s classic high country, familiar to every self-respecting climber and mountain walker. Local shops sell mountaineering and outdoor wear.

Don’t miss. Plas y Brenin National Mountain Centre, which offers courses and tuition in outdoor activities for all abilities