TOURIST THE INSIDE STORY INFORMATION

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1 DEWISWCH EICH DIHANGFA RWYF WEDI BOD YN DOD I LANDUDNO ERS PAN OEDDWN YN HOGYN IFANC. MYND AM DRO AR HYD Y PROM, HUFEN IÂ A CHESTYLL TYWOD AR Y TRAETH DYMA RAI O ATGOFION FY MHLENTYNDOD. Mae Llandudno a finnau wedi newid ers y Saithdegau ond mae rhai pethau n aros yr un fath: dwi n dal i ddod i Landudno ond bellach yng nghwmni fy nwy ferch ifanc. Gallwch ddarllen am ein taith ddiweddaraf ar dudalen 9. Mae hi n Flwyddyn Antur swyddogol Croeso Cymru eleni ac mae gennym bob math o anturiaethau ar eich cyfer yn y llyfr tywys hwn. Mae Gogledd Cymru yn prysur ddatblygu yn ganolfan bwysig ar gyfer chwaraeon anturus a gallwch ddarllen am hanes y datblygiadau diweddaraf ar dudalen 16. Ond mae rhai anturiaethau yn fwy diwylliannol eu naws. Felly, ar dudalennau eraill y llyfryn hwn, gallwch ddilyn ein taith bwydydd lleol ar draws y rhanbarth o Ddyffryn Conwy i r arfordir (tudalen 24), darganfod mwy am y digwyddiadau a r gwyliau celfyddydol diweddaraf yn Llandudno a r cylch (tudalen 6), neu deithio n ôl i niwl y gorffennol yng nghanol atyniadau Conwy sydd wedi u rhestru gan UNESCO (tudalen 12). Mae byd natur yn cynnig sawl dihangfa wych (tudalen 15) ac rydym yn eich arwain hefyd o amgylch prif atyniadau trefi glan-môr Bae Colwyn a Llandrillo-yn-Rhos. Rydym wedi cynnwys rhai lleisiau lleol yn yr arweiniad hwn hefyd. Mae cymaint o bobl ddifyr yn ein hardal â straeon gwych i w hadrodd felly fe wnaethom ofyn iddynt rannu eu profiadau o fyw a gweithio yn Sir Conwy. Dyma r bobl sy n gwneud ein rhanbarth mor arbennig. Wrth i fy nheulu ddechrau ystyried rhai o ddihangfeydd arbennig yr ardal dros y flwyddyn sydd i ddod, byddwn yn cadw llygad am fwy o straeon. Felly cysylltwch â ni os oes gennych sylwadau, adborth a chynghorion. Yn y cyfamser, mwynhewch yr antur. David Atkinson, travel writer facebook.com/visitingllandudno twitter.com/visit_llandudno youtube.com/destinationconwy PLANNING YOUR ESCAPE I VE BEEN COMING TO LLANDUDNO SINCE I WAS IN SHORT TROUSERS. WALKS ALONG THE PROM, ICE- CREAM SUNDAES AND SANDCASTLES ON THE BEACH THESE ARE THE STUFF OF MY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES. Both Llandudno and I have changed since the Seventies but some things remain the same: I m still coming back to Llandudno but now with my two young daughters. In fact, you can read all about our latest trip on page 9. This year marks the official Visit Wales Year of Adventure and we ve got lots of adventures for you in this year s guide. North Wales is evolving fast as a hub destination for adrenaline sports and we ve got news of the latest developments for thrill seekers on page 16. But some adventures are more cultural than physical. So, elsewhere in the issue, you can follow the local-flavours food trail across our region from the Conwy Valley to the coast (page 24), find out about the latest cultural events and festivals in and around Llandudno (page 6), or delve back into the mists of time amid the UNESCO-listed attractions of Conwy (page 12). Plus, there s nature escapes (page 15) and a guide to the must-see attractions around the resort towns of Colwyn Bay and Rhos-on-Sea. We ve introduced some local voices to the guide this year too. There are so many fascinating people around our region with great stories to tell so we went out and asked them to tell us about their experience of living and working around Conwy County. They re the ones that make our region so special. As my family starts thinking about great escapes to the region in the year ahead, we ll be looking out for more stories. So why not contact us with your comments, feedback and top tips. Meanwhile, enjoy the adventure. flickr.com/groups/destinationconwy [email protected] TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES Come in to talk we ve got lots to tell We offer the following: Attraction information Itinerary planning Event information Public transport information Books, maps and publications Gifts and souvenirs Bed booking service Local theatre bookings Local coach bookings National Express bookings Event bookings LLANDUDNO Library Building, Mostyn Street, LL30 2RP t: (01492) e: [email protected] CONWY Muriau Buildings, Rosehill Street LL32 8LD t: (01492) e: [email protected] 24 hr Digital Tourist Information Points Opposite Marks & Spencer, Mostyn Street, Llandudno, LL30 2RP Llandudno Railway Station, Llandudno, LL30 2AF Porth Eirias, the Promenade, Colwyn Bay, LL29 8HH Glasdir, Station Road, Llanrwst, LL26 0DF Opposite car park, Pentrefoelas, LL24 0LE Tree Top Adventure, A470, Betws-y-Coed, LL24 0HA Spar, Church Street, Dolwyddelan, LL25 0NZ Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre, Llyn Brenig, Cerrigydrudion, LL21 9TT THE INSIDE STORY A WORLD OF ADVENTURES IS YOURS TO DISCOVER Try these suggestions for ways to make the Year of Adventure a memorable one. LLANDUDNO COMES ALIVE Adventures in culture plus, the latest in events and festivals for the year ahead. CHILD S PLAY IN LLANDUDNO A family adventure? Llandudno s Great Orme has it all for the CBBC generation. LIVING HISTORY An adventure through the pages of history on a walking tour of Conwy. BACK TO NATURE Adventures in the natural world. GET ACTIVE! The lowdown on the latest white-knuckle thrills. THREE WAYS TO GET THE MOST FROM THE COAST New adventures and old family favourites around Colwyn Bay, Rhos and beyond. 22 FOLLOW THE FOOD AND DRINK TRAIL FOR A TRUE TASTE OF CONWY Our handy guide to foodie adventures throughout the county FESTIVALS AND EVENTS 2016 We re busy throughout the year with all kinds of festivals and events. PLACES TO VISIT Attractions and entertainment. WALES S HOLIDAY AREAS A brief guide to other parts of Wales. ACCOMMODATION GUIDE Grading, colour coding and symbols explained. 36 FEATURED ACCOMMODATION Find your places to stay here. 52 STREET MAPS 56 TRAVEL INFORMATION AND MAP OF THE AREA Our website is full of information, ideas and inspiration. Llandudno is just the start of it. The site also covers Conwy and the best of North Wales. Go on, take a look... VISITLLANDUDNO.ORG.UK 1

2 2 3 A WORLD OF ADVENTURES IS YOURS TO DISCOVER It s Wales s Year of Adventure and Conwy is at the heart of the action. GOLF COAST NORTH WALES golfcoastnorthwales.com GWYDYR RIDING AND TREKKING STABLES horse-riding-wales.co.uk LLYN BRENIG RESERVOIR llyn-brenig.co.uk LLANDUDNO SKI AND SNOWBOARD CENTRE jnlllandudno.co.uk MARIN MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL mbwales.com PLAS Y BRENIN NATIONAL MOUNTAIN CENTRE pyb.co.uk WALES COAST PATH conwy.gov.uk/countryside GET ACTIVE Conwy welcomes walkers. And, since the 2012 opening of the Wales Coast Path, the world s first uninterrupted route along a national coast, it has done so in droves. Our bit of the overall 870-mile trail, some 34.5 miles between Kinmel Bay and Llanfairfechan, includes a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) at Pensarn Beach, rare wildlife on the slopes of Llandudno s Great Orme and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed castle at Conwy. Otherwise, there is a huge range of action adventures to choose from, all set in some of the most stunning Welsh landscape. Plas y Brenin National Mountain Centre at Capel Curig has multi-activity courses, including rock climbing and abseiling, and regular taster days, while Llyn Brenig Reservoir offers watersports and fly-fishing with permits available from the visitor centre. The Llandudno Ski and Snowboard Centre has ski runs, snow tubing and the longest toboggan run in Britain. Finally, check out the Marin Mountain Bike Trail in the Conwy Valley for a challenging ride through forested terrain, Gwydyr Riding and Trekking Stables for gentle pony trekking or more adventurous hacks through the forest, and the range of challenging golf courses across Conwy to play a round. WALES IS WHERE THE ADVENTURE STARTS IN That s the message from the North Wales-dwelling adventurer Bear Grylls as Wales celebrates its Year of Adventure. We re planning a big year and the Conwy region is perfectly placed at the heart of this. The opening this year of a new Zip Safari zone at Tree Top Adventure (see page 16), located in the forest between Betws-y-Coed and Llanrwst, will add to an already growing reputation as a hotspot for adventure-seekers after Surf Snowdonia and Go Below have helped to put Conwy County on the map as an adventure destination. But having a Welsh adventure this year is not all about adrenaline thrills and high-octane attractions. Adventure means different things to different people and the great thing about our region is the way it offers a range of accessible adventures for all ages and interests from families to foodies via history buffs and walkers. Conwy adventures extend beyond the Great Outdoors to new, enriching and life-changing experiences.

3 4 5 GO CULTURAL Conwy thrives on history as one of the finest examples of a medieval walled town in Europe. Check out Thomas Telford s Suspension Bridge and Toll-keeper s House, managed by the National Trust, for an insight into the Victorian engineering that lends Conwy its dramatic entrance today. BODNANT CRAFT CENTRE bodnant-plants.co.uk/bp/craft-centre CONWY WATER GARDEN conwywatergardens.co.uk DOLWYDDELAN CASTLE cadw.gov.wales/daysout/ dolwyddelan-castle OVER TO YOU Whichever adventure you choose to enjoy in Conwy this year, you can be sure of one thing: a great welcome. Think chic, boutique retreats and a range of home-from-home hotels lining the seafront at Llandudno; cosy cafes and fine-dining restaurants; walks along the promenade with old-school candyfloss and browsing the chin-stroking artworks in contemporary galleries. It s all here in Conwy County. Discover it. The region also boasts heritage-rich attractions to delve back into the mists of time, including exploring the role the medieval Princes of Gwynedd played in shaping our language and culture today. Don t miss also Dolwyddelan Castle, one of their mountain strongholds overlooking the Lledr Valley, Penmaenmawr Museum for an insight into a Welsh industrial community and Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant, the birthplace of Bishop William Morgan, who first translated the Bible into Welsh. For something on a more artistic theme, explore the increasing number of interesting little galleries and art shops around the region, such as the Potter s Gallery in Conwy, or the Bodnant Craft Centre. Or catch one of the regular arts events around the region (see events, page 26). PENMAENMAWR MUSEUM penmaenmawrmuseum.co.uk POTTERS GALLERY thepottersgallery.co.uk THOMAS TELFORD S SUSPENSION BRIDGE AND TOLL-KEEPER S HOUSE nationaltrust.org.uk/conwysuspension-bridge TŶ MAWR WYBRNANT nationaltrust.org.uk/ty-mawr-wybrnant AS THE ADVENTURER AND VISIT WALES YEAR OF ADVENTURE AMBASSADOR, RICHARD PARKS SAYS: I PROUDLY CARRY MY WELSH FLAG ON ALL MY EXPEDITIONS, TO SOME OF THE MOST REMOTE AND WONDERFUL CORNERS OF OUR PLANET, AND YET IT NEVER FAILS TO AMAZE ME JUST HOW BLESSED WE ARE HERE AT HOME IN WALES. Finally, soak up some natural culture with a back-to-nature adventure in the great outdoors. Check out the Conwy Water Garden in the Conwy Valley for a family day out, or head to Swallow Falls at Betws-y-Coed for spectacular views of nature at its most powerful and visceral. National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra MAE BYD O ANTUR YN AROS AMDANOCH Yng Nghymru mae r antur yn dechrau yn 2016, yn ôl yr anturiaethwr Bear Grylls. Gwir pob gair. Mae Cymru yn dathlu Blwyddyn Antur yn 2016 ac mae rhanbarth Conwy mewn lleoliad arbennig yng nghalon y digwyddiadau. Mae atyniadau fel Surf Snowdonia, Go Below a Tree Top Adventure oll wedi rhoi sir Conwy ar y map fel cyrchfan antur flaenllaw. Ond mae antur yn golygu gwahanol bethau i wahanol bobl a r hyn sy n wych am ein rhanbarth yw r amrywiaeth o anturiaethau hygyrch sydd ar gael i bobl o wahanol oed a diddordebau o deuluoedd i bobl sy n gwirioni ar fwyd neu hanes a cherddwyr. Eleni gallwch fwynhau antur gorfforol neu ddiwylliannol. Beth bynnag yw eich dewis, mae un peth yn sicr: mae croeso cynnes yn aros amdanoch. Mae popeth ar gael yn Sir Conwy o leoedd gwych i aros a bwyta i siopau c ŵl ac orielau. Dewch i ddarganfod eich antur chi eleni.

4 Llandudno comes alive with ARTS, EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT OUR CULTURAL LIFE IS BOOMING FROM FESTIVALS TO FAMILY EVENTS. WE FIND WHAT S NEW IN CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT. AN ADVENTURE DOESN T HAVE TO BE ABOUT ADRENALINE SPORTS IT COULD ALSO BE A CULTURAL QUEST. LLANDUDNO OFFERS A RANGE OF CULTURAL ADVENTURES FROM CREATIVE ART TRAILS TO THE KISS-ME-QUICK SEASIDE KITSCH. THE ONGOING REFURBISHMENT OF LLANDUNO PIER (SEE P8) THIS YEAR IS RECAPTURING THE VICTORIAN ELEGANCE OF THE RESORT WHILE BOLD NEW ARTS PROJECTS LOOK TO THE FUTURE CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN. FESTIVAL FEVER 6 7 The fourth Llandudno Arts Festival, a cultural festival staged over a weekend in September, will build on previous events to celebrate the evolution of Llandudno through art, performance, and participation. The Helfa Gelf Art Trail, meanwhile, is now Wales's biggest open studio event, inviting the public to visit artists at work in their studios over four weekends in September. These can range from garden sheds to galleries and offer a rare glimpse into the creative process behind the artworks. GALLERY GREATS MOSTYN, reborn after refurbishment as the leading gallery for contemporary art in Wales, now attracts artists of international standing to showcase their work. The gallery space behind the 1901 terracotta facade will continue a series of cutting-edge exhibitions this year to place the gallery in the context of the town and further afield. These include WAR II until March, focusing upon the use of the building as a recreation space for American troops during World War II, and The School of Art: Science & Technical Classes to July 2016, referring back to the art school which occupied the building from COASTLINE FILM FESTIVAL coastlinefilmfestival.co.uk HELFA GELF ART TRAIL helfagelf.co.uk LLANDUDNO ARTS FESTIVAL llawn.org MOSTYN mostyn.org VENUE CYMRU venuecymru.co.uk LIVE EVENTS Llandudno s Venue Cymru hosts everything from opera and ballet, dance and drama, to stand-up comedy, live bands and seasonal panto. Highlights for the year ahead include The Mousetrap, Pricilla Queen of the Desert and the Welsh National Opera with favourites The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro and a new production Figaro Gets a Divorce. Finally, the Coastline Film Festival in November, celebrates cinema and community through a programme of films and themed events. Opera & Ballet International THE VICTORIAN SEASIDE TOWN HAS WELCOMED A CULTURAL RENAISSANCE OVER RECENT YEARS. LLANDUDNO IS DEVELOPING ITS IDENTITY TO BECOME THE CULTURAL HOTSPOT ON THE NORTH WALES COAST, OFFERING A NEW EXPERIENCE TO THE CULTURAL TOURIST, SAYS SIAN YOUNG, ARTS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, CONWY COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Image of Llawn01 BWRLWM CELFYDDYDOL, DIGWYDDIADAU AC ADLONIANT yn Llandudno Mae bywyd diwylliannol a chelfyddydol Llandudno yn ffynnu wrth i nifer o ddigwyddiadau celfyddydol gael eu cynnal yma. Mae Llandudno yn datblygu ei hunaniaeth gan ddod yn ganolfan ddiwylliannol ar arfordir Gogledd Cymru sy n cynnig profiad newydd i r ymwelydd diwylliannol, meddai Sian Young, Swyddog Datblygu r Celfyddydau, Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy. Cadwch lygad am bedwaredd G ŵyl Gelfyddydol Llandudno a gynhelir yn ystod penwythnos ym mis Medi, a r Helfa Gelf, digwyddiad stiwdio agored mwyaf Cymru, sy n gwahodd y cyhoedd i ymweld ag artistiaid wrth eu gwaith yn eu stiwdios dros bedwar penwythnos ym mis Medi. Bydd canolfannau celfyddydol ar draws y dref yn cynnal amrywiaeth cyffrous ac eang o arddangosfeydd a digwyddiadau yn ystod y flwyddyn ac ymhlith yr uchafbwyntiau gallwch fwynhau gwaith artistiaid rhyngwladol yn MOSTYN ac enwau mawr yn Venue Cymru.

5 8 Local voices : ADAM WILLIAMS, LEISURE INTERPRETER AND THE NEW PROPRIETOR OF LLANDUDNO PIER. 9 A FAMILY BREAK IN LLANDUDNO BUILDS MEMORIES TO LAST A LIFETIME. DAVID ATKINSON AND DAUGHTERS FEEL THEY RE ON TOP OF THE WORLD. Everyday is an adventure when you re five years old. From your first ride on a cable car to discovering a yummy new flavour of ice cream, a family day on the Great Orme as part of a short break Llandudno offers a plethora of new experiences. That s why I ve come to the Great Orme Country Park with my five-year-old daughter Olivia and her older sister, Maya, worldly wise at the age of nearly ten, to share some of that childlike wonder. The girls always find plenty in the Victorian resort town for a break from CBBC and ipad apps while, for dad, a day in the sunshine with my two little girls reminds me of my own childhood daytrips. THE PIER WAS ALWAYS IN MY MIND. I WENT TO SCHOOL IN LLANDUDNO AND, AS A KID, IT FELT LIKE AN ADVENTURE WALKING ON IT. WHEN IT CAME UP FOR SALE LAST SPRING, I KNEW IT WAS AN ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY. I RAISED 4.5M AND CAME AWAY WITH A HALF-MILE-LONG, GRADE II-LISTED PIER FIRST BUILT IN I feel like a guardian now for future generations to enjoy it. I ve also come to appreciate the sense of history and the Victorian engineering behind it. Llandudno Pier is, for me, the queen of Welsh piers in the queen of seaside resorts. Set with the mountains of Snowdonia and the Great Orme behind it, it s a symbol of Llandudno s past and future. It s a one-off. As to the future, it s about doing what s there better. I m looking to develop new businesses in keeping with the Victorian theme. I d like to see it back to its former glory, pristine painted and busy with people loving the experience. The first step was bringing back the Victorian paddle steamers to dock at the pier as part of a trip from Liverpool around Anglesey. They ll be back this year. I stood on the pier as the steamers docked last autumn and it felt like a black-andwhite picture had come to life. LLANDUDNOPIER.COM Mae Llandudno yn cynnig digonedd o brofiadau gwych i r teulu. Rwyf wedi dod â m dwy ferch, Olivia, 5 oed, a i chwaer, Maya, 10 oed, i Barc Gwledig y Gogarth i dreulio diwrnod yn mwynhau rhai o ryfeddodau eu hantur newydd fel rhan o wyliau byr. Fe aethom ar Gar Cebl Llandudno o Erddi r Fach i Ben y Gwylfryn i ddysgu am gynefin prin a gwerthfawr y Gogarth CHWARAE PLANT YN LLANDUDNO yn y Ganolfan Ymwelwyr cyn mynd ar daith natur i chwilio am ffosiliau yn Chwarel yr Esgob. Ar ôl cinio ym Mhen y Gwylfryn i lawr â ni ar Dramffordd y Gogarth at Fwyngloddiau r Gogarth, mwynglawdd copr hynaf yr Oes Efydd yn y byd. Mae drysfa r twnneli 3,500 oed yn arwain at ogof fwyngloddio copr ysblennydd o r Oes Efydd. Daeth ein diwrnod i ben wrth i ni fwynhau hufen iâ ym Mharlwr Hufen Iâ the Looking Glass lle ceir amrywiaeth anhygoel o flasau.

6 10 GREAT ORME MINES greatormemines.info GREAT ORME COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRE conwy.gov.uk/greatorme GREAT ORME SUMMIT COMPLEX thesummitcomplex.co.uk GREAT ORME TRAMWAY greatormetramnway.co.uk LLANDUDNO CABLE CAR LOOKING GLASS ICE CREAM PARLOUR HIGHER GROUND We had started out that morning by riding the Llandudno Cable Car from the Happy Valley Gardens to the Great Orme Summit Complex. By the time we are standing at the telescope at the 207m-summit marker, Maya and Olivia feel like they re on top of the world. In a way they are. The widescreen view opens up before us with the Snowdonia range to the south and Anglesey to the west. Afterwards we scramble across the Orme, looking out for the species of rare butterflies and plants that has made the limestone heathland a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) since 1957, to hunt for fossils at Bishop s Quarry. It s a bustling, sunny day on the Orme, especially at the adventure playground, but hunting for fossilised creatures feels like we re stepping back into the mists of pre history. I LOVE THE FEELING OF SPACE UP HERE, SAYS CHRIS WOODALL, THE ASSISTANT COUNTRY PARK WARDEN ACCOMPANYING US ON OUR NATURE WALK. IT S EASY TO FIND YOUR OWN PLACE TO DISCOVER AND BE PART OF THE WILD LANDSCAPE. Earlier we had explored the Country Park Visitor Centre, learning about the rare and valuable habitat of the Orme. The girls loved cooing over real starfish in the marine section and spotting seabirds through a CCTV camera trained on the cliffs, while a short animated film whizzed us through 350m years of history in ten minutes flat. GOING UNDERGROUND After energy-building sandwiches at the Summit Complex café, we were off again. Our transport this time was the Great Orme Tramway, the lovingly restored Victorian tramway that trundles up and down the steep inclines of the Orme accompanied by panoramic views. It s a little bit of San Francisco in North Wales. One stop down at the Halfway Station, we got out to visit the Great Orme Mines, the oldest Bronze Age copper mine in the world. From the visitor centre and short film, we learn, some 1,700 tonnes of copper were produced to make primitive axes while carbon dating has placed the mines around 1800 BC some 2,000 years before the arrival of the Romans. Children aged five like Olivia would have been sent down the mines during the Bronze Age, when copper was mined on the Orme at the same time Stonehenge was under construction. But the idea doesn t stop her following the self-guided tour through the 3,500-year-old tunnels to the Bronze Age cavern to learn how our ancient ancestors turned rock into metal. Excavations continue to open up new areas to visitors and we we re still uncovering clues to our history even after 26 years, says Commercial Director Edric Roberts. Just recently we found a human tooth, which is either from a miner or a human burial. FLAVOUR OF THE MONTH After a day of exploring and lashings of clean, sea air, we finish the day by debating our favourite adventures over ice creams at the Alice-themed Looking Glass Ice Cream Parlour on Upper Mostyn Street two scoops each no less. Well, it is the weekend. Playing cards and bunting hang from the ceiling while the menu is headed Eat Me. Maya decides her highlight of the day was collecting fossils near the summit of the Orme while Olivia is torn between exploring the mines and the double-chocolaty cone she is currently tucking into. And the new flavour of ice cream Olivia discovered? Bakewell Tart. When you re five, that s not just an adventure. It s a positive revelation. LIKED THIS? FIVE MORE FAMILY ADVENTURES TO TRY Follow the Alice in Wonderland Town Trail and download the accompanying apps alicetowntrails.co.uk Catch Professor Codman's Punch and Judy show on the North Shore Promenade. The family-run first set up set up Llandudno's Punch and Judy theatre in 1860 punchandjudy.com/codgal.htm Take the Llandudno Land Train for a leisurely chug across town to the West Shore or around the Marine Drive visitllandudno.org.uk Make friends with the animal attractions, including the birds of prey, at Bodafon Farm Park bodafonfarmpark.com Feast on a fresh fish supper, laid out on retro Cath Kidston tablecloths, at Fish Tram Chips, located next to the Great Orme Tramway station fish-tram-chips.co.uk

7 12 13 LIVING HISTORY A stroll around Conwy is an odyssey through centuries of Welsh heritage. David Atkinson walks the walls. My partner and I like a bit of history but we re hardly Simon Schama and Mary Beard. That s why a heritage themed adventure through the life and times of Wales, combined with some great local hospitality and rolling scenery, sounds like our kind of weekend escape. Laura and I have come to the walled town of Conwy, recognised by UNESCO for its rich cultural heritage, to soak up the sense of history. CONWY TIC / PRINCES OF GWYNEDD EXHIBITION snowdoniaheritage.info CONWY CASTLE cadw.wales.gov.uk DISCOVER CONWY APP cadw.wales.gov.uk L S COFFEE & BOOKSHOP STORM THE CASTLE After a quick walk round the graveyard at St Mary s and All Saints Church next door, the site of the original Aberconwy Abbey where Llywelyn the Great died, we head across the road to Conwy Castle. The short stroll around the battlements makes for a highly evocative insight into the era of Edward I, when the monarch planted an iron ring of fortifications around the coast to keep the Welsh in check. Even today, the castle dominates the town with a frisson of theatrical flourish and, with the sun high in the sky, the panoramic view from the battlements stretches to a hazy infinity. PRINCE OF WALES We start with the Princes of Gwynedd exhibition at Conwy Tourist Information Centre (TIC), the starting point of the heritage trail and the hub display to launch visitors out across the county in search of adventures in medieval Welsh history. The displays, centred around the golden period of the Princes from AD, document the period when Gwynedd was a rich and powerful kingdom. It s the time of the first crusades and the Magna Carta. The Conwy exhibition is complemented by regional displays, including Betws-y-Coed TIC and Criccieth Castle, while audio tours, downloadable maps and a guidebook form a series of self-guided driving and public-transport trails of the wider region to explore the lesser-known sites, such as Dolwyddelan Castle. The Princes were a hugely powerful dynasty and their influence on European politics of the time is quiet mindblowing, says Helen Bradley, Heritage Development Officer, Conwy County Borough Council. Wales's cultural tradition remains so strong today due to the legacy they created. Despite our dark image of the times, this era saw Welsh literature and art flourish. Indeed, Rhys ap Gruffydd convened the first ever bardic tournament in 1176, a precursor to the modern-day Eisteddfod. Amongst the examples of praise poetry are the chilling lines: He is a spear striking on the battlefield, exalted in his praise... His spear is blood-stained as he dispenses his anger. THE WEATHER BRINGS OUT THE DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES OF THE CASTLE, SAYS ROY WILLIAMS, HEAD CUSTODIAN, CONWY CASTLE. ON A FINE DAY, NOTHING BEATS THE VIEW ACROSS THE ESTUARY, SURVEYING THE DOMAIN OF THE PRINCES OF GWYNEDD. WALK THE WALLS Finally, having downloaded the Cadw app to our smartphones, we set off to explore the walls, heading west from the castle via a series of paths and towers to look back over the town and the castle beyond, rising majestically on its rocky outcrop. There s still a way to go but, before tackling the final section, we head into town for a creamy cappuccino and a breather at L s Coffee and Bookshop, a cosy little café with literary theme. Sipping our coffees, we can t help flicking through a book on medieval Wales on the bookshelf. That s the thing about Conwy: there s a living-history adventure everywhere you turn. HANES BYW Mae tref gaerog Conwy, a gaiff ei chydnabod gan UNESCO am ei threftadaeth ddiwylliannol, yn lle gwych i fwynhau gwyliau penwythnos er mwyn amsugno r holl hanes. Dechreuwch yn arddangosfa Tywysogion Gwynedd yng Nghanolfan Croeso Conwy, man cychwyn i ymwelwyr cyn iddynt grwydro r sir yn chwilio am hanes ac anturiaethau Cymru yn yr Oesoedd Canol. Ceir yno hefyd arddangosfeydd rhanbarthol a theithiau sain, mapiau y gellir eu lawrlwytho a llyfr tywys sy n galluogi ymwelwyr i ddilyn eu trywydd eu hunain wrth yrru o amgylch yr ardal ehangach. Yna, ewch am dro o amgylch murflychau Castell Conwy, sy n parhau i daflu ei gysgod dramatig dros y dref. Yn olaf, lawrlwythwch ap Cadw i ch ffonau clyfar a cherddwch ar hyd furiau r dref i r gorllewin o r castell er mwyn edrych i lawr dros y dref a r castell a thu hwnt.

8 14 Five TOP ACTIVITIES AROUND CONWY more Y N W C O N W C O Y BODNANT GARDEN nationaltrust.org.uk/bodnantgarden CONWY RSPB NATURE RESERVE rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/ seenature/reserves/guide/c/conwy 15 HERITAGE ADVENTURES FOLLOW THE MUSSEL TRAIL AROUND CONWY. Ask at Conwy Tourist Information Centre about the new Conwy Mussel Trail, to be launched in April A booklet and audio tour takes you through the story of the traditional mussel industry still carried out today. BACK TO Nature The Conwy region is a great place to get back to nature. From manicured gardens to wildlife-rich nature reserves, there are inspiring landscapes, colourful displays of flora and fascinating fauna to discover. We find some natural highlights of the year ahead. F lower power Art trails VISIT THE ROYAL CAMBRIAN ACADEMY IN CONWY, which features an exhibition of work from young emerging Welsh artists as part of its Open Exhibition this year. rcaconwy.org EXPLORE CONWY S HISTORIC PROPERTIES, namely Plas Mawr, the UK's finest surviving Elizabethan townhouse (cadw.wales.gov.uk); and the nearby Aberconwy House, the town's oldest medieval merchant's house, dating from around nationaltrust.org.uk/aberconwy-house The big project at the National Trust-managed Bodnant Garden is the opening in March 2017 of the new Furnace Woodland and Meadow. The 20-acre site, never previously open to the public, will open up new views of the gardens and across the Conwy Estuary. It will boast mature Conifers and Rhododendron, and rare Bodnant hybrids. Conwy RSPB Nature Reserve celebrates its 21st birthday in 2016 and comes of age with two new art installations. A steel sculpture by the local artist Giovanni Jacovelli, featuring many of the species found on the nature reserve, welcomes visitors from the A55 while a wooden sculpture trail, created by a local chainsaw carver Simon O Rourke, features resident wildlife. Meanwhile, look out in July this year for a wow-factor display of wild flowers around the Pin Mill Building, bright-blue poppies at the Himalayan Poppy Garden and the breathtaking Laburnum Arch in May. Look out for pop-up events for summer, such as pond dipping and bug hunting, as well as the usual colourful displays of wildflowers and butterflies. Also coming during the school summer holidays is the Big Wild Sleepout, whereby you can pitch camp on the reserve and explore the nocturnal world. THE GARDEN HAS AN INCREDIBLE HISTORY BUT, WHAT EXCITES ME ABOUT WORKING HERE, IS THAT IT S GOING THROUGH A VERY DYNAMIC PERIOD TO OPEN UP NEW AREAS, SAYS HEAD GARDENER JOHN RIPPING. The reserve was created from the mud of the A55 road tunnel but it s now maturing like a fine wine, says Reserve Manager Julian Hughes. After 21 years, we ve developed a range of nature experiences for all ages, especially families. VISIT THE SIR HENRY JONES MUSEUM AT LLANGERNYW. A new ipod museum audio tour brings the story to life of one of Wales's greatest educational campaigners. sirhenryjonesmuseum.co.uk MAKE A PILGRIMAGE ALONG THE PILGRIM S PATH, a new long-distance ( miles) walking trail, divided into 25 sections, that traces the ancient pilgrimage route from Basingwerk Abbey to Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island). Don t miss one of the stunning sections through Conwy County from Rowen to the stone circles at Penmaenmawr. pilgrims-way-north-wales.org RHYFEDDOD BYD Natur Mae rhanbarth Conwy yn lle gwych i fwynhau byd natur. Mae sawl prosiect newydd ar y gweill, gan gynnwys Coetir a Dôl Ffwrnais yng Ngardd Bodnant a dau osodiad celf newydd yng Ngwarchodfa Natur yr RSPB yng Nghonwy i ddathlu pen-blwydd y warchodfa yn 21 oed.

9 16 17 G E T ACTIVE NORTH WALES IS HAVING A MOMENT AS AN ACTIVE-TOURISM HOTSPOT. WE FIND WHAT S NEW IN ADVENTURE. WHAT LIES BEYOND The launch of Ultimate Xtreme last year is the latest adrenaline adventure at Go Below. Stand on the edge of a cliff and look into darkness trying to summon up the courage to step off into oblivion. Beyond lies the world's longest and deepest underground zipline, measuring a white-knuckle 130m, and the world's first underground freefall 70ft. Look out next year for Cwmorthin by candlelight, a family adventure into the world's largest abandoned slate mine. RIDE THE WAVE GO BELOW UNDERGROUND ADVENTURES go-below.co.uk SURF SNOWDONIA surfsnowdonia.co.uk TREETOP ADVENTURE (Soon to be renamed Zip World Fforest, part of the Zip World Group) zipworld.co.uk The recent opening of the Conwy Valley-based Surf Snowdonia, the world s first Wavegarden surfing lagoon, has brought a new frisson of adrenaline thrills to North Wales with lessons for all abilities and around 10,000 visitors in its first three months. Look out this year for additional features on site, including a skate park, a mountain bike pump track and an adventure play area. The ten-man Stand Up Paddleboard) SUP will enable even novices to ride the big waves. YOU WANT ADVENTURE? YOU VE GOT ADVENTURE. THERE ARE A SLEW OF ADRENALINE- PUMPING NEW ATTRACTIONS ACROSS CONWY TO BRING OUT THE BEAR GRYLLS IN ALL OF US. HERE ARE THREE OF THE BEST WAYS TO GET ACTIVE IN CONWY THIS YEAR. GWEITHGAREDDAU EGNIOL Mae digonedd o atyniadau anturus newydd ar draws Sir Conwy i wneud i bawb deimlo fel Bear Grylls. Mae Tree Top Adventure yn arwain y ffordd gan agor ardal saffari a gwifren wibio newydd yn y goedwig rhwng Llanrwst a Betws-y-Coed. Hefyd, mae Surf Snowdonia yn ehangu eleni, gan agor parc sglefrio, trac pwmp ar gyfer beiciau mynydd ac ardal chwarae antur, ac mae lansiad Ultimate Xtreme yn Go Below ger Betws-y-Coed yn ychwanegu at yr anturiaethau adrenalin newydd sydd ar gael i ymwelwyr. PUSH THE LIMITS Zip World has blazed a trail for adventure tourism across North Wales with its series of zip lines, including the longest zip line in Europe, Zip World Caverns, a gripping journey through a vast series of historic mine chambers, plus Bounce Below and Junior Bounce, a series of netting walkways, slides and tunnels suspended in a former slate cavern, expanding this year with bigger rides. But look out this year for the opening of the new Zip Safari zone at Tree Top Adventure, located in the forest between Betws-y-Coed and Llanrwst. The Zip Safari zone some 70ft in the trees with views across Snowdonia is an addition to the Powerfan Plummet, the world s highest parachute simulator. There are also plans in the pipeline to develop an Alpine Coaster toboggan run through the trees and offer an adventure pass with discounted deals on 12 adrenaline experiences. I grew up playing commandos in the gorges and forests of the Conwy Valley, says Sean Taylor, Commercial Director of the Zip World Group. Our aim now is to make the region the premier adventure destination in Europe with a range of activities in a compact area.

10 Three ways to get the most from the coast The wind of change is blowing in along the coast. David Atkinson finds new attractions and family favourites at resurgent seaside resorts. BRYN WILLIAMS AT PORTH EIRIAS portheirias.com COLWYN BAY WATERSPORTS colwynbaywatersports.co.uk RHOS FYNACH MINI-GOLF rhosfynach.co.uk/golf.htm HARLEQUIN PUPPET THEATRE puppets.co.uk THEATR COLWYN theatrcolwyn.co.uk The sweep of coast from Colwyn Bay to Rhos-on-Sea and beyond has seen a major transformation with new projects and attractions breathing new life into the resort. I ve seen huge changes in the area over the last year, says Ingrid Lewis, Colwyn Town Manager with Conwy County Borough Council. There s a range of new activities, a burgeoning arts scene, notably with Oriel Colwyn at Theatr Colwyn, and major events, such as Access All Eirias and headline concerts by international acts at Parc Eirias, to put the resort on the events map. It is, she adds, emerging beautifully with big plans to come. Tair ffordd i gael y mwyaf o r arfordir A day in the bay The big opening in Colwyn Bay has been the triumphant return of the top Welsh chef Bryn Williams, opening his seafood restaurant on the promenade. The beach-front bistro and café is now serving up delicious breakfasts, lunches and bistro suppers with heaps of fresh, local produce all under the watchful eye of the local boy behind the highly regarded restaurant Odette s in London s Primrose Hill. Meanwhile, the completed regeneration of the beach and promenade ensures visitors can walk on the sands at all states of the tide, and new artist-designed furniture and artworks on the seafront bring a renewed sense of vitality to the resort. Finally, look out for an increasing range of expert tuition at Colwyn Bay Watersports, including sailing, windsurfing and power boating taster sessions. The dedicated watersports centre, located on a Blue Flag beach, also offers canoe and kayak hire. A roam around Rhos Fish and chips. Crazy golf. Window shopping. And lots of sea air along the three-mile bay. Rhos-on-Sea is a bijou, hidden-gem seaside town with an ambiance that harks back to a gentler time. But it s also home to some great little attractions for a day out. Mae pethau n newid yn gyflym rhwng Bae Colwyn a Llandrillo-yn-Rhos a thu hwnt. Rwyf wedi gweld newidiadau enfawr yn yr ardal dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, meddai Ingrid Lewis, Rheolwr Tref Colwyn gyda Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy. Mae n datblygu n hyfryd ac mae cynlluniau mawr ar y gweill. Beth am ymweld â bwyty gwych newydd Bryn Williams ym Mhorth Eirias, Bae Colwyn, i fwynhau bwyd môr lleol. Mae newidiadau mawr ar droed ar y traeth a r promenâd hefyd, ynghyd â hyfforddiant chwaraeon d ŵr yng Nghanolfan Chwaraeon D ŵr Bae Colwyn. Galwch heibio Llandrillo-yn-Rhos, perl o dref glan-môr fechan, cartref Theatr Bypedau Harlequin a llwybrau treftadaeth. Mae traethau yn aros i gael eu darganfod o Lanfairfechan yn y gorllewin i Dowyn a Bae Cinmel yn y dwyrain. Dyfarnwyd statws y Faner Las i dri thraeth yn 2015: Pen Morfa Llandudno, Llanfairfechan a r traeth rhwng Llandrillo-yn-Rhos a Bae Colwyn. The Harlequin Puppet Theatre is Britain's first and only permanent theatre designed and built for puppets. Indeed, it has been entertaining families since 1958 with its marvellous marionettes. Look out, too, for tours of the backstage area with behind-the-scenes secrets of the professional puppeteer. Meanwhile, the 26-point heritage trail explores local sites of interest, including St Trillo s Chapel the smallest in Britain.

11 Local voices: Michelle Pywell, Head Keeper, Welsh Mountain Zoo I was immersed in the animal kingdom from childhood. My parents ran a bird and cat sanctuary and I would regularly be found hand-rearing baby birds in my school uniform. I started horse riding aged 12 and became passionate about horses, going on to work as a riding instructor before coming to work in zoos. LLANFAIRFECHAN PENMAENMAWR CONWY LLANDUDNO DEGANWY COLWYN BAY RHOS-ON-SEA OLD COLWYN KINMEL BAY PENSARN A major part of my job now is animal training for presentations. That involves getting inside the animal s head and building a close bond with them. It s based on respect, rewards and patience. For example, you can train a sealion to jump for a ball in a couple of weeks but retrieving a sunken Frisbee could take up to one year. Every animal has its own personality like a human. I simply learn from their body language. I always get a warm welcome from the animals every morning. They always brighten up my day. It s a similar relationship to caring for a child, sharing your skills with them. I definitely prefer animals to people. As a species, humans are getting better at animal welfare but there s still a long way to go. Great Britain remains a nation of animal lovers and, through the work of zoos like us, we are continuing to educate people about the importance of conservation. We also love it when we get new arrivals. The birth of two red panda cubs, born to parents Ming Ming and Nuri last year, was a really welcome addition to the zoo. The adult red pandas came to us as part of a European breeding programme and the cute cubs are proving a real hit with visitors. Our visitors can get involved through schemes like our Keeper for the Day experience, whereby you spend a day meeting, feeding and mucking out the animals, or an Animal Encounter, designed for visitors aged seven upwards to meet their favourite animal. More on: welshmountainzoo.org A day at the beach The Conwy coast boasts beautiful beaches for walking, sandcastle building and general all-weather mooching. The seashore, extending from Llanfairfechan in the west to Towyn and Kinmel Bay in the east, is beautiful to explore in all seasons. Three beaches along the coast have been awarded Blue Flag status in 2015, recognising the excellent standards of cleanliness and water quality. They are West Shore Llandudno, Llanfairfechan and Rhos- Colwyn. Other winners were Sandy Cove, Kinmel Bay, as a Seaside Rural beach and Abergele-Pensarn, North Shore, Llandudno and Penmaenmawr as Seaside Resort beaches. More information from Keep Wales Tidy. welshbeaches.org Four more activities around Colwyn Bay and Rhos-on-Sea Theatr Colwyn has welcomed the actor and writer Celyn Jones as its new patron. Celyn, who recently starred as Dylan Thomas in the film Set Fire To The Stars, joins Colwyn Bay-born Terry Jones, of Monty Python fame, as a theatre patron. The Victorian building, opened in the 1880s, is the oldest working cinema in the UK and the oldest working theatre in Wales. Beach combing just got better at Colwyn Bay with the completion of a new beach and promenade, the latter running from Porth Eirias to the pier. The beach for all states of the tide ensures you can walk on the sands at all times. The promenade features artist-designed furniture and new art installations, which bring a sense of vibrancy to the seafront. Look out for new independent shops, cafes and galleries opening in Rhos to complement the existing boutiques devoted to farm produce, antiques and retrovintage clothes. Check out, too, the street market, staged Tuesdays and Saturdays at the heart of Colwyn Bay, for local produce and crafts amongst the items. Also look out around Towyn & Kinmel Bay for oldschool family fun at the Tir Prince Amusement Park and Arcades ( and Knightly s Funfair ( with rides, attractions and events.

12 22 Follow the food & drink trail for a true taste of Conwy Local voices: Charlotte Bennett, co-owner of Gwinllan Conwy, Llangwstenin When we moved to the farmhouse at Llangwstenin, near Llandudno Junction, in 2010, we inherited a small vineyard. My husband, Colin, and I always loved wine and to have our own vineyard was a dream. 23 Conwy county tastes good. From Welsh Black beef to microbrewery ales via sea-salty mussels and even a burgeoning North Walian vineyard (see p23), there are great local flavours to discover. Just follow your nose to the foodie-haven shops and eateries, or tuck into some of the flagship food events across the region. These include the Gwledd Conwy Feast (October 22 & 23), the Conwy Beer Festival (June) and the Conwy Honey Fair (September 13). The Llandudno Christmas Fayre (November), meanwhile, continues to expand to allow farmers to showcase local Welsh Food and Drink produce. Or, simply seek out some local goodies at one of the regular farmers markets staged at the Bay View Shopping Centre, Colwyn Bay every Thursday and at the Conwy RSPB Nature Reserve, Llandudno Junction, on the last Wednesday of every month. Hungry for more? Then, see page 24 for our guide to some of our award-winning producers and food experiences around the region. We planted three grape varietals, Phoenix (white), Solaris (white) and Rondo (red) in We now have one acre with 750 vines and we produced 1,000 bottles of our first commercial crop after last autumn s harvest. It s still early days, and we haven t given up the day jobs yet, but I m turning the old pig shed into a wine hut, running vineyard tours and hosting Welsh food-pairing events. I want a visit to Gwinllan Conwy to be a real experience. Running a vineyard is all-consuming. From pruning to protecting the harvest from birds to keeping the vineyard looking nice, it s a very labour-intensive job and one in all weathers. We re self-taught from books but we re not taking a romantic view. We have researched carefully and know that Chardonnay and Pinot Noir just don t grow well in this climate. We re trying to put Welsh wines on the map, working with the other 15 members of the Welsh Vineyard Association, including a winery near Caernarfon, and taking part in events around Welsh Wine Week (May 28 to June 5 this year). For more inspiration, see eatingout.ws Dilynwch y daith bwyd a diod i gael gwir flas ar Gonwy Mae blas da ar sir Conwy hefyd. Gallwch ddarganfod blasau lleol gwych mewn siopau lleol a phob math o ddigwyddiadau bwyd, gan gynnwys G ŵyl Gwledd Conwy (Hydref) a Ffair Nadolig Llandudno (Tachwedd) a ehangwyd yn ddiweddar. Galwch heibio r marchnadoedd ffermwyr lleol hefyd yng Nghanolfan Siopa Bay View, Bae Colwyn, a Gwarchodfa Natur yr RSPB, Cyffordd Llandudno. Edrychwch ar ein arweiniad i rai o gynhyrchwyr arobryn a phrofiadau bwyd a diod gorau r sir. Mwy gan eatingout.ws Most of all, just drinking your own wine from the vines you have nurtured over the years is an amazing feeling. To see a bottle of our wine in the wine shop in Conwy this year will bring us a huge sense of achievement. We ll raise a glass to that. Contact: [email protected]

13 24 Follow our handy guide to discover some local food heroes Llandudno 10 Rhos-on-Sea 2 Betws-y-Coed 1 CWMNI CACEN GRI / cwmnicacengri.co.uk Wonderful Welshcakes, served hot from the griddle in front of customers, based on traditional recipes with a twist, plus delicious fudge and fresh coffee. Conwy 2 BARAVELLIS / baravellis.com Artisan bean to bar chocolatier with all chocolates made on the premises. Plus regular choc-heaven events, including truffle-making classes. 25 Conwy Llansanffraid Glan Conwy Colwyn Bay 9 Abergele CONWY MUSSELS CO / conwymussels.com Flavoursome mussels, sustainably hand-raked from where they naturally form on the seabed, sold fresh on the quayside. 4 PARISELLA S / parisellasicecream.co.uk Family-run purveyors of ice cream and sorbet, combining Italian flavours with Welsh produce, with outlets across the county. 5 EDWARDS OF CONWY / edwardsofconwy.co.uk Traditional master butcher, named Butcher s Shop of the Year 2014, with a tempting range of locally sourced lamb, award-winning pies and sausages. Conwy Valley BODNANT WELSH FOOD CENTRE / bodnant-welshfood.co.uk A foodie-haven hub for take-away bakery and local produce, weekend cooking breaks, plus regular events and classes, including the Kid s Academy. 6 7 NATIONAL BEEKEEPING CENTRE WALES / beeswales.co.uk Explore the art of beekeeping at the visitor centre, part of the Bodnant Welsh Food complex, or with regular bee-keeping courses. Llanrwst 8 Llanrwst Naturally Conwy Look out for this label on menus, shelves and in shop windows. It s given to produce that s local and where skill and craft have gone into its creation. Food and drink producers throughout the Conwy Valley and beyond are part of this new scheme. They include the sweet-toothed Siwgr a Sbeis at Llanrwst and the Tandderwen Bakery at Betws-y-Coed. C O N VV Y NATURIOL NATURALLY C O N VV Y BLAS AR FWYD / blasarfwyd.com This award-winning Welsh food hub is the place to stock up on delicious deli produce, take-away-treat hampers and wine from around the world. Llysfaen / Colwyn Bay 9 CONWY BREWERY / conbrew.moonfruit.com Bringing brewing back to Conwy, the microbrewery offers a three branded ale ranges plus hands-on workshops, including brewer for a day and design your own beer experiences. Rhos-on-Sea 10 TAN LAN / tanlanbakery.co.uk Try delicious artisan breads and tempting cakes, plus great coffee, from the hands of a local master baker. 1 Betws-y-Coed 11 Llandudno 11 GREAT ORME BREWERY / greatormebrewery.co.uk Sample five fantastic local ales, including the malty-rich Welsh Black, using local ingredients and traditional methods FORTES / fortesicecream.co.uk Family-run restaurant and ice cream parlour bringing a taste of Italy to the resort with over 35 flavours, including Turkish Delight and Bubble Gum. To avoid disappointment, please check all opening times direct with the food & drink producers before travelling.