17 18 AND THE BEST OF NORTH WALES
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WINTER GUIDE
Welcome to winter – good food, warm hospitality, festivals and shopping, walking and wildlife, art, adventure and theatre. 1
OPEN HOUSE You may think we’re winding down for winter. Not at all. We’re gearing up for a busy winter season. Our hotels, restaurants and attractions are very much open for business. There are castles, gardens and nature reserves to explore, Christmas shopping to get done … all at a time when our coastline and countryside are at their peaceful best, revealing their true colours. What’s more, there are shows to go to, museums and galleries to visit, restaurants to sample, all adding up to plenty of entertainment whatever the weather. This guide will show you around Llandudno and the best of North Wales in winter. To get going, here are ten top winter experiences. Simply peerless
What’s not to like about piers? At Llandudno, we have the longest in Wales. So wrap up and blow the cobwebs away with a walk to the end and back. And if you’re still in the mood for walking, continue along our rather lovely prom (which we think looks even more magical all lit up after dark).
Dine out
It’s all on the menu – sophisticated fine dining and wholesome country cooking, fashionable bistro dishes and the finest fish and chips. To give you a taster we’re thinking of places like top chef Bryn Williams’s sleek seafront bistro/bar at Porth Eirias in Colwyn Bay, the Conwy Valley’s Tal-y-Cafn Inn (fresh local food, real ales and a roaring log fire), the cosy Cottage Loaf at Llandudno and Dylan’s Restaurant, a recent addition to Llandudno’s yummy dining scene.
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That’s entertainment
Venue Cymru at Llandudno is North Wales’s largest theatre and one of the UK’s most modern and stylish entertainment complexes. A huge asset to the resort, it’s buzzing throughout the year with the best in contemporary entertainment and performances of all kinds. All the big names in comedy, drama and music play here – and look out for the Christmas specials too. (Click here to find out more)
Winter garden
Bodnant Garden is beautiful whenever you visit. Bodnant’s Winter Garden, created in the last 10 years, is the seasonal jewel in its crown. This former rockery has matured into a richly colourful display of foliage and flower that makes the most of winter light – and it’s just the start of a walk through 80 acres of winter wonderland. (Click here to find out more)
Need to book somewhere to stay?
Call 01492 577 577 visitllandudno.org.uk
A game of thrones
If anything, Conwy Castle looks even more dramatic when silhouetted against a dark, brooding winter sky. Walk the ramparts to sense its power, undiminished 800 years after it was constructed as part of King Edward I’s campaign against Wales. (Click here to find out more)
Swallow Falls and shopping
They’re perfect bedfellows at Betws-y-Coed, the inland resort that draws visitors throughout the year. It’s full of independent shops selling art, crafts, clothes and outdoor gear – all you need for that special Christmas present. And, just up the road, there’s spectacular Swallow Falls, flowing in its full winter glory.
Animal magic
The Welsh Mountain Zoo at Colwyn Bay doesn’t just contain a Noah’s Ark of creatures – everything from sea lions to snow leopards. It’s also playing its part in the fight to save endangered species from around the world. (Click here to find out more)
Art works
Win with Llandudno and the Best of North Wales
See page 9 for details of how to win...
It certainly does at Mostyn, Llandudno’s cutting-edge gallery. Mostyn enjoys an international reputation for its adventurous contemporary art. What’s more, this futuristic, thought-provoking gallery is a piece of architectural art in itself. (Click here to find out more)
Bird life
Conwy’s RSPB Reserve, a wetland site on the edge of the estuary, is a tranquil oasis of calm just a stone’s throw from the A55. In winter, look out for flocks of birds gathering to feed, or forming large roosts at dusk to keep warm. (Click here to find out more)
Highs and lows
Take a gentle walk in the woods in the Gwydyr Forest Park. For something that comes with a bit more (a lot more, actually) adrenaline, travel across the valley to Zip World Fforest for high-wire aerial acrobatics on ziplines, nets and swings. Then head underground from Conwy Falls to the deepest publicly accessible spot in Britain on a Go Below adventure in an abandoned mine. It’s a ‘thrilling, exciting and exhausting day all rolled into one’.
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COASTING ALONG Our seaside’s not just for summer. Prom invitation
Just like Llandudno pier (see the ‘ten top’ experiences on the previous page), our perfect promenade is never out of season. Bookended by the rocky Great and Little Orme headlands, this wide, mile-long sweep of pastel-coloured hotels is ideal for a little winter walking. With the summer crowds gone, you’ll have more room to breathe and soak up the widescreen sea views. It’s an exhilarating experience – just remember to wrap up warm.
High life
Standing watch over Llandudno, the mighty Great Orme is a wild and rugged counterpoint to the town’s Victorian and Edwardian elegance. It looks fantastic in its summer greens, but it’s even more magical in a winter coat of frost and snow. Take a trip to the 679ft/207m summit for awesome coast and country vistas. Keep an eye out for Kashmiri goats, shaggy Great Orme residents who will definitely be dressed for the weather.
Drive on
Marine Drive takes you to a different side of Great Orme. Cutting a dramatic path along the Orme’s craggy edge, this 5-mile route is one of the longest toll roads in the UK (it’s free to walkers). (Click here to find out more)
Boot up
There’s never a bad time to dip into our section of the legendary Wales Coast Path. It stretches 34½ miles between Kinmel Bay and Llanfairfechan, so you’ll have plenty of waterfront walking to choose from.
Snow limits
Go downhill fast at Llandudno Ski and Snowboard Centre. When better to work on your winter sports skills than during the colder months? If you prefer to take things sitting down, ride the 2,500ft/750m Cresta Run, the longest toboggan run in Wales. (Click here to find out more)
Baywatch
Colwyn Bay is a bay transformed. Take a winter walk along the new prom to Porth Eirias, where a contemporary glass-and-steel building is home to a watersports centre and bistro presided over by acclaimed chef Bryn Williams. Then get more fresh air in Eirias Park, our lovely ‘park by the sea’.
The sea goes on
Looking for a really peaceful winter break? Then head to our smaller seaside resorts and towns – Abergele and Pensarn, Towyn and Kinmel Bay, Rhos-on-Sea, Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan. (Click here to find out more)
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chillout There’s just as much winter fun away from the coast.
IN THE COUNTRY
’Tis the season
Go shopping for tasty winter goodies at Bodnant Food Centre. Then really get into the seasonal spirit at Bodnant Garden. The annual Elves’ Workshop is festive fun for all the family, where you can make your own Christmas decorations, toast marshmallows over an open fire and (of course) meet Santa himself. (Click here to find out more)
Be a mountain man (or woman) There’s something extra-special about getting out into our hills, forests and mountains in winter. Breathe in clear, crisp air and feel a frosty crunch beneath your feet as you explore waymarked nature trails or go deeper into the mountains. For a true test against the elements book a winter mountain skills course at Plas y Brenin National Mountain Centre in Capel Curig, on which you’ll learn to survive – and thrive – amongst Snowdonia’s snowy peaks. (Click here to find out more)
Ride and seek
Saddle up on cycle trails that suit every level of two-wheeled adventurer. One thing’s for certain: with all that pedalling you won’t feel the cold. Amid the airy, moody landscapes of Mynydd Hiraethog you’ll find family-friendly routes around the Alwen and Llyn Brenig reservoirs. Hardcore riders will make for unmissable experiences like the wild woodland tracks around Penmachno and Betws-y-Coed, including the mighty 16-mile Gwydir Mawr Trail. (Click here to find out more)
Go wild
Our wildlife doesn’t take a winter break. Hiraethog’s moorland, woods and waters are bursting with life whatever the season. Spot rare black grouse (the male is easily recognisable thanks to its jet-black feathers and striking red comb), high-speed brown hares and families of frolicking otters. Woodland walkers might even see a red squirrel or two, charismatic tree-dwellers who are staging a comeback in these parts. (Click here to find out more)
Going underground The weather isn’t an issue at Go Below near Betws-y-Coed. Miles of abandoned mines have been repurposed as a thrilling underground assault course (‘the scariest in Britain’, according to The Sunday Times). Tackle subterranean ziplines, clamber up steep shafts and abseil to the deepest spot you can reach in the UK, an amazing 1,300ft/396m below the surface. (Click here to find out more)
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THE TOTAL PACKAGE
Great eats, super shopping, places to stay and shows to see: they’re all on the menu this winter. Make yourself at home
If you know Llandudno, you’ll know that we have no shortage of great places to stay – the largest choice in Wales, in fact. That’s especially true during the quieter months. 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. It’s the same story inland, at country house hotels, inns and cottages. (Click here to find out more)
Great tastes
Call into Edwards of Conwy, the multi-award-winning ‘best butchers shop’ or Llandudno’s Tourist Information Centre for a choice of local food and drink. For a big spread of local flavours go to Bodnant Welsh Food. Set in a beautifully restored 18th-century farm, it’s a delicious one-stop-shop. Pick up the best in Welsh produce (everything from tender saltmarsh lamb to seasonal veg and cheese made in Bodnant’s own on-site dairy), or brush up on your culinary skills on a cooking course.
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Stage and screen
There’s a packed winter programme at Venue Cymru, Llandudno’s seafront entertainment hub. Get in the holiday spirit with the festive panto production of Peter Pan. There’s musical theatre to suit every taste (ranging from Abba musical Mamma Mia! to Verdi’s romantic opera La Traviata), plus rib-tickling performances from TV stand-up comedy stars like Sarah Millican and Bill Bailey. (Click here to find out more) For movie fans there’s Cineworld’s multiplex at Llandudno Junction, perfect for a blockbusting night out or film for all the family. (Click here to find out more)
Shop till you drop
Christmas shopping is no chore in this part of world. Browse through a range of independent retailers selling vintage clothes and antiques in compact, quirky Rhos-on-Sea. Wander Conwy’s medieval streets in search of the perfect gift, browse the shop-lined main street at Betwsy-Coed or head to the super-stylish shop in Llandudno’s Mostyn gallery for one-of-a-kind jewellery, ceramics and art.
BACK IN TIME
2017 is Wales’s ‘Year of Legends’. It may be coming to an end, but there’s still time to explore our centuries of history and heritage. King of the castles
Maybe we’re biased, but we think that mighty Conwy Castle is one of the world’s most fabulous – not to say fearsome – fortresses. Seemingly transplanted straight from the pages of a fantasy novel, this stone behemoth is a compelling sight whatever the weather. For some of the best castle and estuary views, take a walk along Conwy’s medieval walls. Stretching nearly unbroken around the town’s heart, they’re some of the longest and best-preserved in Europe. No wonder both they and the castle have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Click here to find out more)
House proud
You would be too, if you had one like Aberconwy House. This 14thcentury merchant’s mansion, a rare survivor through centuries of turbulent history, stands as a living time capsule. Inside, the rooms are furnished to illustrate different periods in Aberconwy’s long life, giving a peek into our Jacobean, Georgian and Victorian past. The house is open daily from 8 Mar to 5 Nov from 10am to 5pm. (Last entry 4.30pm for the house). Open weekends 11 Nov to 24 Dec from 11am to 4pm. Father Christmas visiting in December. (Click here to find out more)
Yesterday’s world
Llandudno Museum is a treasure chest of local artefacts. It casts its net far and wide, from prehistory to Llandudno’s growth as a resort and its experiences during World War Two. (Click here to find out more)
By royal appointment
Find out more about our native royalty at the Princes of Gwynedd exhibition in Conwy Tourist Information Centre. This illuminating exhibit brings the past to life through stories, poetry and music, telling the epic tale of our former rulers’ battles against English invaders (as well as amongst themselves). (Click here to find out more)
Location, location, location
Then head into the hills to see where the princes ruled. It may be smaller than Conwy, but Dolwyddelan Castle is still a rock star. Built by Llywelyn the Great (13th-century Prince of Gwynedd and de facto ruler of most of Wales), its setting on a rocky ridge amid the peaks of Snowdonia has drama to spare. Climb to the top of the keep for some wild winter views of the Lledr Valley. (Click here to find out more)
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WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WINTER
Call in and see us
Llandudno’s new Tourist Information Centre has relocated to a prominent position in the town’s popular Victoria Centre. As well as all the usual visitor information services, it’s also well-stocked with a range of local food and drink.
There’s a whole lot going on in the build-up to Christmas and into the New Year. Here’s a sample. For the latest information go to visitllandudno.org.uk 14-25/11/17
09-31/12/17
01-02/12/17
09/12/17
02-03/12/17
16-19/12/17
November
December
4–6
1
9
(30th anniversary), Venue Cymru, Llandudno northwaleschoralfestival.com, venuecymru.co.uk
From 4pm, Colwyn Bay Town Centre bayviewshopping.co.uk
(starts 10am) bespokefitnessandevents.co.uk
1–2
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Betws-y-Coed facebook.com/pages/ Pantomime/570391673065894
4pm to 7pm conwytownevents.co.uk/
North Wales Choral Festival
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Llanrwst Fireworks Spectacular conwy-valley-rotary.org.uk
11
Festive Family Fun
Sleeping Beauty Charity Pantomime,
2
Llandudno 5K Santa Dash
Conwy Winterfest,
9, 10, 16, 17 & 23
trailbetws.com
Llandudno Christmas Parade
14–25
llandudno.gov.uk
Father Christmas Grotto and Christmas Tree Trail at Conwy Castle’s Christmas Tower
The Band
2–3
(new musical featuring songs of Take That), Venue Cymru, Llandudno venuecymru.co.uk
Nadolig Betws-y-Coed Christmas
(trail also available on weekdays). cadw.gov.wales
visitbetwsycoed.co.uk
9–31
16–19
Santa’s Festive Grotto,
Betws-y-Coed Trail Challenge
Llandudno Christmas Fayre
2, 3, 9, 10, 16 & 17
llandudnochristmasfyare.co.uk
Bay View Shopping Centre, Colwyn Bay bayviewshopping.co.uk
27–28
3, 4, 10, 11 & 17–20
Venue Cymru, Llandudno (Swan Lake on 27th, Romeo and Juliet on 28th) venuecymru.co.uk
Conwy (Father Christmas, festive activities, etc) nationaltrust.org.uk/aberconwy-house/features/ experience-christmas-at-aberconwy-house
Russian State Ballet,
Christmas at Aberconwy House,
3, 4, 10, 11 & 17–20 Elves’ Workshop,
Bodnant Garden (meet Santa, make Christmas decorations, etc) nationaltrust.org.uk/bodnant-garden/features/ christmas-at-bodnant-garden 8
Peter Pan, Venue Cymru, Llandudno venuecymru.co.uk
23–6 January
Beauty and the Beast, Theatr Colwyn, Colwyn Bay theatrcolwyn.co.uk
26
Llandudno Lions Club Boxing Day Dip (11.30am) e-clubhouse.org/sites/llandudno/page-6.php
26-28/01/18
09-14/01/18
January
February
9–14
2–3
Mamma Mia! Venue Cymru, Llandudno venuecymru.co.uk
13–14
Take pART, Venue Cymru, Llandudno venuecymru.co.uk
Teletubbies, Venue Cymru, Llandudno venuecymru.co.uk
ETITIO
TIME
Ellen Kent Ballet and Opera International, Venue Cymru, Llandudno (La Traviata on 2nd, Madame Butterfly on 3rd) venuecymru.co.uk
14
Bill Bailey,
26–28
COMP
02-03/02/18
N
Venue Cymru, Llandudno venuecymru.co.uk
27/02 - 03/03/18
20–21 The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Venue Cymru, Llandudno venuecymru.co.uk
23–24
Sarah Millican, Venue Cymru, Llandudno venuecymru.co.uk
27–3 March
Crazy for You, Venue Cymru, Llandudno venuecymru.co.uk
Win with Llandudno and the Best of North Wales
Thank you for reading our winter guide. We hope you’ve had some inspiration to book a winter break.
Llandudno and the Best of North Wales is one of the most beautiful parts of the world with leading travel publisher Lonely Planet ranking North Wales the world’s fourth best place to visit in its Best in Travel regions 2017. So it’s certainly a must visit for anyone and even better if it’s free! Here’s a chance to win a short break to Llandudno to the value of £500 to be taken before 31 May 2018. That’s 48 hours of epic experiences, giving you a taste of what the area can offer! To enter, correctly answer the question below: Q: Name the English actor known for his role as Sam Strachan in the BBC medical dramas Holby City and Casualty, and starring in the musical Crazy for You at Venue Cymru in 2018. Send your answer, name and contact details by email to tourism@conwy.gov.uk A winner will be chosen at random on February 28, 2018. Terms and Conditions: 1: By entering the competition you’re agreeing to receive marketing information from Llandudno and the best of North Wales. 2: Anyone who enters the competition will be deemed to have read and accepted the Terms and Conditions and will be bound by them. 3: To enter the competition, email the correct answer to tourism@conwy.gov.uk. Entries will be accepted between 9/10/17 and 27/02/2018. 4: The winner will be chosen at random after the closing date and notified by email. 5: Entrants must be aged 18 or over. 6: Only one entry per person; duplicate entries will be excluded from the competition. 7: The Prize - 2 night break for 2 people to the value of £500 to be taken by 31 May 2018 (accommodation to be chosen from the Llandudno 2018 brochure). 8: We may also contact you after the competition to ask your feedback on the Winter Brochure. 9: Llandudno and the Best of North Wales reserves the right to substitute the prize with another prize at its absolute discretion.
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Watch our Year of Legends Video
visitllandudno.org.uk Published by: Community Development Service, Conwy County Borough Council, Library Building, Mostyn Street, Llandudno, LL30 2RP. T: 01492 575945 / 575950 Email: tourism@conwy.gov.uk Whilst Conwy County Borough Council has made every effort to ensure accuracy in this publication, the Council cannot accept responsibility for any errors, inaccuracies or omissions or for any matter in any way connected with or arising out of the publication of the information contained within this brochure. Designed by: View Creative, 37 Rhos Road, Rhos-on-Sea, Conwy LL28 4RS. t: (01492) 542400 www.viewcreative.co.uk 10
Written by: Roger Thomas. Editor and Travel Writer www.writerog.co.uk Photography: ŠVisitBritain, Dave Newbould, freshpics, ŠNational Trust Images/John Miller, North Shore, PM Photography, Matt Wilcox, Peter Williams Photography.