Photo: Traveler100 (CC BY-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Things to do in Conwy
Wondering what to do in Conwy? This guide lists the area's attractions — zoos, museums, theme parks and more — with distances, so you can plan every day of your trip.
Showing museums, aquariums and attractions with indoor areas — the ones that work whatever the forecast.
Aquariums
19.9 mi from Conwy
Anglesey Sea Zoo
Anglesey Sea Zoo is an independent aquarium on the Isle of Anglesey, showing off British marine wildlife across more than 40 tanks, from octopus and lobsters to seahorses, conger e...
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Museums & Galleries
1 mi from Conwy
Trefriw Woollen Mill
Trefriw Woollen Mill is a family-run working mill in Trefriw, Conwy, where traditional Welsh tapestry bedspreads, travel rugs and tweeds are woven on site using machines over 50 ye...
3.9 mi from Conwy
Conwy Valley Railway Museum
The Conwy Valley Railway Museum is located at Betws-y-Coed railway station, Betws-y-Coed, North Wales, on the site of the old railway goods yard. — Wikipedia
5.5 mi from Conwy
Amgueddfa Syr Henry Jones Museum
Amgueddfa Syr Henry Jones Museum is a small museum located at Y Cwm, Llangernyw, near Abergele in Conwy, Wales. It is a registered charity in Wales and England. Rather than keeping...
9.6 mi from Conwy
Penmaenmawr Historical Society & Museum
Museum in Penmaenmawr, Wales, United Kingdom
11.6 mi from Conwy
Llechwedd Slate Caverns
Llechwedd Slate Caverns, in Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, is a former slate quarry turned adventure site where most activities take place underground. You can bounce in a cave twice the siz...
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12.6 mi from Conwy
Great Orme Bronze Age Mines
Great Orme Bronze Age Mines is a museum attraction in Llandudno, Conwy, where you can follow a self-guided tour taking around 45 minutes. It includes a visitor centre, a short intr...
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12.8 mi from Conwy
Great Orme Visitor Centre
The Great Orme Visitor Centre sits on the headland above Llandudno, a dramatic spot that has drawn visitors since the Stone Age. It suits anyone interested in history, bird watchin...
13.2 mi from Conwy
Welsh Slate Museum
The National Slate Museum tells the story of the Welsh slate industry, a trade once central to the local economy and community. Normally you could explore exhibits on this heritage...
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13.3 mi from Conwy
Penrhyn Castle
Penrhyn Castle is a country house in Llandygai, Bangor, Gwynedd, North Wales, constructed in the style of a Norman castle. The Penrhyn Estate was founded by Ednyfed Fychan. In the... — Wikipedia
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13.3 mi from Conwy
Penrhyn Castle Railway Museum
The Penrhyn Castle Railway Museum was a museum of industrial railway equipment, located at Penrhyn Castle near Bangor in Wales. — Wikipedia
14.5 mi from Conwy
Beaumaris Gaol
Beaumaris Gaol is a disused gaol, or prison, located in Beaumaris, Anglesey, Wales. Although no longer in use it remains largely unaltered and is now a museum open to visitors, wit... — Wikipedia
14.6 mi from Conwy
Storiel
Storiel is a museum in Bangor, Gwynedd, bringing together social history collections from across north Wales, with particular emphasis on Gwynedd. You can explore seasonal events s...
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14.7 mi from Conwy
Natural History Musem
This small university museum, housed in Bangor University's Brambell Building, displays part of a 40,000-piece zoology collection built up as a teaching resource. Highlights includ...
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15.8 mi from Conwy
Wireless in Wales
Wireless in Wales is a small, specialist radio museum in Denbigh, Denbighshire, run as a charitable trust and built around the collection of the late David Evan Jones. It focuses o...
16 mi from Conwy
Thomas Telford Centre
The Thomas Telford Centre is a community-run, accredited museum in Menai Bridge, Anglesey, telling the story of the Menai Suspension Bridge and the Britannia Bridge. You'll find ex...
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Water Parks
17.2 mi from Conwy
SC2 Rhyl
SC2 Rhyl is a water park offering flume rides, a relaxed paddling option, and an outdoor beach-style pool with a Paradise slide and water guns. Younger visitors can explore the Jur...
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Zoos & Wildlife
Where to stay near Conwy
Places to stay within easy reach of these days out.
More around Conwy
Itineraries
- A weekend in Wales: an accessible itinerary · 2 days
- A weekend in Wales with the kids · 2 days
- A weekend in Wales · 2 days
Haunted Britain
Conwy rewards a bit of planning. The region mixes seaside Llandudno, the riverside and woodland around Betws-y-Coed, and a good spread of castles, gardens and small museums. You can fill a weekend easily. The trick is grouping things sensibly so you spend your time exploring rather than driving back and forth.
The standout attractions by type
For families, Llandudno is the obvious starting point. The Llandudno Chocolate Experience is an easy win with children. The Home Front Museum suits older kids and grandparents who like a story. If you want somewhere to burn off energy, SC2 Rhyl is listed as a water park option for the area.
For rainy days, lean on the region's smaller museums. Good indoor choices include:
- Wireless in Wales
- Dolgarrog Railway Society
- Denbigh Museum
- Home Front Museum
- Llandudno Chocolate Experience
None of these needs a whole day. Pairing two of them works well when the weather turns.
For the outdoors, Bodnant Garden is the big name. It is a garden and arboretum that is worth saving for a dry spell. The Great Orme Visitor Centre in Llandudno is a useful first stop if you plan to spend time on the headland, as it helps you get your bearings. Betws-y-Coed makes a natural base if you prefer green, inland scenery to the coast.
For heritage, Conwy is unusually well served. Five National Trust places are listed here: Conwy Suspension Bridge, Tu Hwnt i'r Bont, Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant, Bwthyn Ogwen and Bodnant Garden. Add the castles, Castell Dinbych, Bodelwyddan Castle and Tomen Castell, and you have plenty for anyone who likes old stones and good stories.
Grouping attractions into a sensible day
A few combinations that hang together well:
- A Llandudno day: start at the Great Orme Visitor Centre while you are fresh. Then head to the Home Front Museum and finish at the Llandudno Chocolate Experience as a treat.
- A Conwy heritage day: walk across Conwy Suspension Bridge, then spend the afternoon indoors at Wireless in Wales or with the Dolgarrog Railway Society.
- A gardens and countryside day: give Bodnant Garden a relaxed morning. Then add one or two smaller National Trust places, such as Tu Hwnt i'r Bont or Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant, if you are heading towards Betws-y-Coed.
- A castles day: pair Castell Dinbych with Denbigh Museum. If you still have energy, add Bodelwyddan Castle or Tomen Castell.
Check a map before you set off, as some of these places are more spread out than they look. Two or three stops is usually plenty for a comfortable day.
Where to eat
The following places are listed with 5-star food hygiene ratings:
- Caffi Contessa, a tea room
- Griffiths Bakery
- Brondanw Arms, a pub and inn
- Greggs
- Starbucks
Caffi Contessa and the Brondanw Arms suit a sit-down lunch or an early dinner. Griffiths Bakery and Greggs are handy for picking up something to eat on the move, which is useful on a busy garden or castle day. Check exactly where each one is before you plan your route around it.
Turning it into a short break
With 284 places to stay on BritStays in this region, you have plenty of choice about where to base yourself. Here is how the main options compare:
- Llandudno: works well if you want the seaside, family attractions and somewhere to stroll in the evening.
- Betws-y-Coed: suits walkers, garden lovers and anyone who wants a quieter, greener setting.
- Conwy: sits nicely between the two and keeps heritage sights within easy reach.
For a two-night break, a simple plan works best:
- Day one: spend it in Llandudno.
- Day two: visit Conwy Suspension Bridge and Bodnant Garden.
- Day three: keep a museum or two in reserve in case of rain.
If you have three or four nights, add the castles day and one of the smaller National Trust properties.
Practical tips before you go
- Check opening days and times directly with each attraction before travelling. Smaller museums and heritage sites can keep limited hours.
- If you are a National Trust member, bring your card. Five of the region's landmarks are National Trust places.
- Keep a rainy-day plan ready. Wireless in Wales, the Home Front Museum and Denbigh Museum are all good fallbacks.
- Save outdoor places like Bodnant Garden and the Great Orme Visitor Centre for the best forecast of your stay.
- Book your accommodation early if you are travelling in school holidays, particularly in Llandudno.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in Conwy with children?
Llandudno has the most family-friendly options. These include the Llandudno Chocolate Experience, the Home Front Museum and the Great Orme Visitor Centre. SC2 Rhyl is also listed as a water park option for the area.
What can I do in Conwy on a rainy day?
Head for the museums. Wireless in Wales, Dolgarrog Railway Society, Denbigh Museum, the Home Front Museum and the Llandudno Chocolate Experience all make good indoor choices.
Which National Trust places are in Conwy?
Five National Trust places are listed for the region. They are Conwy Suspension Bridge, Tu Hwnt i'r Bont, Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant, Bwthyn Ogwen and Bodnant Garden.
Are there castles to visit in Conwy?
Yes. Castell Dinbych, Bodelwyddan Castle and Tomen Castell are all listed as castle and heritage sites in the region.
Where can I eat with a 5-star hygiene rating?
Places listed with 5-star hygiene ratings include Caffi Contessa, Griffiths Bakery, the Brondanw Arms, Greggs and Starbucks. Check each location before planning your route around it.
Where should I stay for a short break in Conwy?
BritStays lists 284 places to stay in the region. Llandudno suits a seaside break with family attractions. Betws-y-Coed suits a quieter, greener stay closer to the countryside.
More ways to explore
Not booked yet? See the best places to stay in Conwy.