visit llandudno editorial section 2013

31
WWW. V I S I T L L A N D U D N O .ORG .UK

Upload: soparlaverde

Post on 03-Jun-2018

215 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 131

WWW V I S I T L LANDUDNO O RG UK

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 231

Dewch i Landudno arsquor fro i fwynhau traethau a golygfeyddgodidog arfordir gogledd Cymru A thra rydych chi yma betham adeiladu castell tywod a bwyta pysgod a sglodion go iawnOnd wrth irsquor gaeaf ddynesu peidiwch acirc mynd yn bell Mae ynaddigon o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud trwyrsquor flwyddyngan gynnwys ymweld acirc rhai o ddigwyddiadau gorau Cymrufel Gwledd Conwy a Ffair Nadolig Llandudno ndash a fydd yn siwr

o godirsquoch hwyl yn ystod y gaeaf Mae rhywbeth yma at ddantpawb beth bynnag eich cyllideb Mae ein hanes unigryw ynmynd acirc chi o Oes Fictoria ar y pier irsquor Oesoedd Canol yng

Nghastell Conwy ac yna irsquor Oes Efydd yn y mwyngloddiaucopr Os nad ydi hynny at eich dant beth am fynd i VenueCymru i fwynhau perfformiad Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru neui chwerthin yng nghwmni digrifwyr gorau Prydain Fel arallbeth am i chi fynd i weld beth a welwch chi ar y Gogarth hafanbywyd gwyllt ar gwr y dref

Glaw neu hindda mi gewch chi groeso cynnes yn Llandudnobob tro

2 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 331

Visit Llandudno and the North Wales Coast and yoursquoll be treated tothe best of the British seaside beaches sea views sand castles and

proper fish and chips But when the deck chairs get packed awaywe donrsquot go into hibernation Therersquos plenty to keep you busy allyear round including some of Walesrsquo best events ndash from GwleddConwy Feast in October to Llandudnorsquos Christmas Fayre ndash allguaranteed to warm up the chilly months Wersquove something for alltastes and pockets too Our unique history ranges from the old atLlandudnorsquos Victorian pier the very old at Conwyrsquos medieval castleand town walls to the downright ancient at the Bronze Age coppermines Let the Welsh National Opera put a song in your heart whileBritainrsquos top stand-up comedians provide the belly laughs at VenueCymru Or explore the wild and woolly Green Flag landscapes ofThe Great Orme a coastal haven for wildlife on the edge of town

Whether the season calls for flip flops or wellies Llandudno isready with a big Welsh welcome

Llandudno

4 Great breaks

8 Walk this way

Conwy amp Conwy Valley heritage

9 Princes poems and parapets

Around the bay

14 3 days to get the most from the coast

Natural environment

16 Itrsquos in our nature

Gardens and green spaces

18 It takes time

Activities

20 Coastal adventures

21 The golf coast

23 Walks wheels and water

24 Outdoor adventures in

Conwy Valley amp Snowdonia

Food and drink

25 Add some local flavour

Events

28 Whatrsquos on in 2013

Places to visit

32 Attractions amp entertainment

A guide to the accommodation

34 Gradings amp colour code summary

Find a place to stay

36 A-Z list of accommodation

37 Symbols key

39 From basic to blow the budget

Walesrsquos holiday areas

61 Brochure request

Find your way

62 Street maps

Closer than you think

66 Travel and county map

Tourist Information Centres

Back cover - contact the people in

the know

V i e w f r o m t h

e s i t e o f D e g a n w y C a s t l e ( K i r a n R i d l e y )

3

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 431

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 531

G R E A T B R E A K S I N L L A N D U D N O

Hop aboard the vintage tramway which

has been charming passengers since 1902Painstakingly restored to its former glory

itrsquos the only cable-hauled tramway runningon British public roads today and is stillone of our favourite ways to get to the top

of the Great Orme from where on a clearday you can see as far as the Isle of Man

Blackpool and the Lake District

For a quick descent of the Great OrmeLlandudno Ski Slope and SnowboardCentre has a PermaSnow ski slope with

spectacular views over Llandudno Bay andthe longest toboggan run in Britain Open

all year and floodlit on winter eveningsexpert tuition in all kinds of winter sports

is available children from the age of fourcan try skiing and tobogganing while theover tens can have a go at snowboarding

Parents can test their own ski skills orwatch from the sidelines Apreacutes ski food

and drink are served at the Alpine Lodge

Dating back 4000 years (thatrsquos 2000

years before the Roman invasion) anddug out with just stone and bone tools

The Great Orme Ancient Mines are theworldrsquos largest Bronze Age Copper Mines

Since their discovery excavation workhas been slowly uncovering tunnels andsurface landscape and members of the

excavation team are on hand to answeryour questions as you take the self-guided

tour of the tunnels and prehistoric cavern

Walk around Llandudno town centre

and you might notice the woodensculptures of characters from the Alice

in Wonderland stories Creations ofCarmarthen-based sculptor SimonHedger they form part of The Alice Trail

celebrating the townrsquos links with authorLewis Carroll which is due for completion

in 2014 and will feature more than 40points of interest throughout the town

wwwwonderlandcouk

Open all year Bodafon Farm Park is abig working farm where you can meet

and feed the animals Residents includeHighland cattle fallow deer pygmy

goats and a Welsh Boar called Boris who

ploughed an entire field with his noseTake the farm trail and explore on foot

or hitch a ride on the tractor and trailerto make sure you donrsquot miss anything

Running alongside North Shore beach

is the elegant Victorian promenadewith its pastel-painted seafront hotels

Yoursquoll find all the ingredients of a goodold fashioned seaside holiday at Walesrsquolongest pier sticks of rock postcards

and amusement arcades and nearbyProfessor Codmanrsquos Punch and Judy

one of Britainrsquos longest-running shows

PIER PROM AND PUNCH

ALICErsquoS ADVENTURES

FUN ON THE FARM

GOING UP

IN LLANDUDNO

Bring the youngsters a bucket and spadeand head for the beach Wersquove two tochoose from in Llandudno and both

promise a great day out award-winning

and fun-packed North Shore or big andsandy West Shore great for kite-flyersand kite-surfers alike Wersquove many morebeaches along the coast too Build a sand

castle paddle in the sea or if the weatherwonrsquot cooperate take a dip in the indoor

pool at Llandudno Swimming Centre

Sandy Cove Kinmel Bay Seaside

Award (rural) and Green Coast Award

PensarnAbergele Seaside Award

(resort) and Green Coast Award

Llanddulas Green Coast Award

Old Colwyn Seaside Award (rural)and Green Coast Award

Colwyn BayRhos-on-SeaBlue Flag and Seaside Award (resort)

Penrhyn Bay Green Coast Award

Llandudno North Shore Seaside Award (resort)

Conwy Morfa Green Coast Award

Penmaenmawr Seaside Award (resort)

Llanfairfechan Seaside Award (resort)

BEACHES AWARD-WINNING

BEACHES 2012

GOING UNDERGROUND

GOING DOWN

5

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 631

A PEAK AT THE PAST

Discover Llandudnorsquos long and fascinatinghistory from the really ancient to the fairly

recent Llandudno Museum has a regularlychanging programme of temporaryexhibitions and there are many fascinating

artefacts in the permanent collection

too from a footprint on a Roman tile topaintings sculptures furniture and objetdrsquoart from around the world

VINTAGE BUS TOUR

After walking the best way to see theGreat Orme is from a vintage coach as

it winds its way round the limestoneheadlandrsquos four mile toll road The drivetakes an hour and enjoys spectacular views

out to sea along the way as well as lots

of other great things to look out for fromcolonies of seabirds and free-roamingKashmiri goats to the Victorian lighthouseand medieval Church of St Tudno

wwwalpine-travelcouk

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

Those who remember the 1940s will betreated to a nostalgic trip down memory

lane at this living history museum whilethe self-guided tour allows younger visitorsto experience the sights and sounds of

1940s Britain giving an unique glimpse

into what life was like during the SecondWorld War

wwwhomefrontmuseumcouk

G R E A T B R E A K S I N L L A N D U D N O

FOR HISTORY BUFFS

6 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 731

V E N U E C Y M R U

With its diverse programme of events Venue Cymru is among

North Walesrsquo best places to go for a great night out Thereare performances throughout the year ranging from musicals

and drama to pop gigs and stand-up comedy with large-scaleproductions by the likes of Welsh National Opera and Moscow

City Ballet and smaller shows by local theatre companies Hereare a few of this yearrsquos highlights for full details of whatrsquos on in2013 visit wwwvenuecymrucouk

22 FEBRUARY Phil Cool ndash A Comedy Legend

17 MARCH BBC National Orchestra of Wales

ndash Sibelius Mozart Stravinskyand more

13 15 16 MARCH Welsh National Opera ndashPuccinirsquos Madame Butterfly

25-30 MARCH Agatha Christiersquos The Mousetrap

ndash Diamond Anniversary Tour

4-6 APRIL The Importance of Being Earnest

16-20 APRIL James and the Giant Peach

7-11 MAY Sleeping Beauty on Ice

19 MAY Micky Flanagan ndash 2013

12-13 JUNE Bill Bailey ndash Qualmpeddler2 AUGUST Jimmy Carr ndash Gagging Order

14 -15 OCTOBER Jason Manford

M O S T Y N

Described by The Guardian as lsquoone of the most adventurous

contemporary art venues in the UKrsquo MOSTYN shows regularlychanging exhibitions of international contemporary art

Housed in a Grade II-listed building with impressive Victorianfaccedilade and gold spire MOSTYN began life as the worldrsquos first

gallery for women artists Itrsquos still a great place to discoverstimulating art today and alongside the work displayed acrosssix gallery spaces yoursquoll find a shop selling contemporary craft

by local national and international makers and a Cafeacute whereyou can enjoy locally-baked cakes fresh coffee and a menu of

exciting dishes cooked to order

G R E A T B R E A K S I N L L A N D U D N O

F O R T H C O M I N G E V E N T S A T MO S T Y N

From January 2013 lsquoMOSTYN Open 18rsquoThis the 18th Open exhibition features work by artists fromhome and abroad with a pound10000 prize and an additionalpound1000 prize to the artist who receives the most votes from

visitors to the exhibition

From April 2013 lsquoYOUrsquo (plus solo artist shows)Bringing together the work of five international artists thisexhibition includes pieces that require the direct involvement

of the viewer

From July 2013 lsquoDear Portraitrsquo (plus solo artist shows)This exhibition looks at portraiture and aims to update andrenew its relevance in todayrsquos visual arts

From October 2013 lsquoWomenrsquos Art Societyrsquo(plus solo artist shows)Part of a series of shows about the buildingrsquos heritage this

exhibition explores the origins of MOSTYN as an exhibition

space for women previously excluded from local art societieson the basis of their gender

To find out more visit wwwmostynorg

To find out more about all theother great things to see and do inLlandudno grab yourself a copy of

the Essential Pocket Guide (2013edition available at Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

7

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 831

The Great Orme limestone headland is designated a Special Area of Conservation

a Site of Special Scientific Interest a local Nature Reserve and has just received

a Green Flag Award for the fifth year running One of the best ways to see it

and make sure you donrsquot miss anything is to take a guided walk Here four

walkers ndash Sian and Roger Dale and Stella and Mike Lehane ndash join guide

Barry Mortlock on an autumn walk especially designed for over 50s

8 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 931

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1031

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

Many events from this time shaped Walesin terms of its landscape culture andheritage Yet the lives and times of the

Princes of Gwynedd and their strugglesagainst their neighbours both within and

beyond Wales remain one of the leastknown epochs in the story of Wales

ldquoThe Princes presided over a period ofdynamic change in the history of Wales

We owe so many of our notions of cultureand history today to this periodrdquo saysHelen Bradley Heritage Tourism Project

Officer for Conwy County BoroughCouncil

Helen is showing me around the newPrinces of Gwynedd exhibition at the

tourist information centre in the centreof Conwy The exhibition tells the story

of the Princes using maps documentsand sound recordings to capture thespirit of the times From a child-friendly

animation of historical soundbitesto information about life in medieval

Gwynedd during their reign the exhibitionacts as a gateway to a series of sites across

Gwynedd Conwy and the SnowdoniaNational Park

ldquoThe Princes were tactical

strategic players on the

European stage reformingtheir lands and creating

strong political alliances

They were not downtrodden

victims cowering in the

mountainsrdquo adds Helen

The Princes ruled over tribal kingdoms

surviving Saxon attacks and theconstruction of Offarsquos Dyke along theWelsh-English border in the 8th century

Viking raids in the 9th century andwidespread power struggles and in-

fighting within Wales itself It was not untilthe 13th century that the Princes finallyrose to predominance first with Llywelyn

Fawr (the Great) and finally his grandsonLlywelyn ap Gruffydd who was the first

to be known by the title Prince of WalesAfter his death the new Welsh values ofnationhood language and law appeared

threatened forever Indeed it wouldnrsquot

be until the rise of Owain Glyndwr in the1400s that Welsh pride would be restored

Helen goes on to show me round thesecond room of the exhibition which is

dedicated to the cultural legacy of theage of the Princes Despite our dark imageof the times this era saw Welsh literature

and art flourish Indeed Rhys ap Gruffyddconvened the first ever bardic tournament

in 1176 a precursor to the modern-dayEisteddfod The Princes commissionedbards to write eulogies and praise poems

which helped to create a mythologyaround their image and ancestry

ITrsquoS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS DYNASTIES IN WELSH

HISTORY THEIR ST ORY SPANS A PERIOD OF TUMULT

AND CONFLICT FROM THE END OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

TO THE WARS OF INDEPENDENCE AGAINST EDWARD I

10 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1131

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

One featured poem recorded in medieval

Welsh is a praise poem for the Princesby Gynddelw Brydydd Mawr It dates

from 1170 ldquoHe is a spear striking on thebattlefield exalted in his praise hellip His spearis blood-stained as he dispenses his angerrdquo

After a brisk walk around the walls a quicklook into Aberconwy House the townrsquosoldest medieval merchantrsquos quartersdating from around 1300 and lunch at

Lrsquos cool little coffee and bookshop I setout to trace the princesrsquo legacy through

the surrounding landscape I take thescenic Conwy Valley railway line down toLlanrwst via Dolgarrog the line celebrating

its 150th birthday in June this year

The route passes through an RSPBwildlife reserve looking back towards

Conwy Castle and Robert Stephensonrsquosengineering-marvel railway bridge beforeheading onwards through a picture-

postcard landscape past Bodnant GardenBy the time we are approaching North

Llanrwst station the Gwydyr Forest islooming into view

ldquoItrsquos a very different experience to exploreConwy by public transport rather than

drivingrdquo says Larry Davies CommunityRail Officer for Arriva Trains Wales whichis working with local bus companies to

connect key locations along the princesrsquotrail ldquoYou get closer to the scenery closer

to history this wayrdquo he smiles

St Grwstrsquos Church dedicated to the 6th

century Celtic saint who founded thechurch in Llanrwst clings to the banks

of the River Conwy Gwydir Chapel thestone-built chapel adjacent to the main

church and dating from 1633 houses the

stone sarcophagus of Llywelyn the Great

who died in 1240 after a reign spanningfour decades

Llywelyn is regarded as one of the greatest

Welsh princes a powerful 13th centuryruler who fought hard to unite his realmand to play a role on the wider stage

concluding treaties with rulers such asPhillip Augustus of France in 1212 Upon

his death his body was buried first in

Conwy and then moved to Maenan

Abbey outside Llanrwst When HenryVIII dissolved the monasteries in the

16th century Llywelynrsquos stone coffinwas moved to the church in Llanrwst His

body was lost but the elaborately carvedsarcophagus survives

11

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1231

Elsewhere along the line other locationshelp bring the story of the Princes to lifeFor example St Michaelrsquos Church at Betws-

y-Coed features a 14th century limestoneeffigy of Gruffydd ap Dafydd Goch

while the stunning castle at Dolwyddelanwas first built by Llywelyn Fawr andsubsequently modified by Edward I Both

sites are open to visitors

For an overview a dedicated website withan interactive map and a new guidebook

to sites associated with the Princes will beavailable from Spring 2013 for visitors tofind out more

Back in Conwy I finish with a visit to the

World Heritage Site of Conwy Castle oneof the cornerstones of Edward Irsquos iron ringof castles A series of new artworks inside

the castle ruins symbolise fragments of thestory and add depth to the human story

behind the facts of the history books

Llywelynrsquos Coronet a crown atop a towerof shields and swords in the Prison Tower

by the artist Rubin Eynon symbolises the

burning spirit of the people while a rusted-iron sculpture of the head of King Edward Iby Gideon Petersen in the Kingrsquos Chamber

is a ghostly presence

Standing on the defensive parapets ofthe castle I look over the estuary towardsthe former castle site at Deganwy a

stronghold of the Princes ransacked andravaged by generations of invaders Below

is the busy harbour quayside ldquoConwy wasa bustling trading port in the late 13th

century with communities of EnglishWelsh and other nationalitiesrdquo says RoyWilliams Head Custodian at Conwy

Castle ldquoThe castle had its own watergateentrance to allow access for people and

supplies directly from shipsrdquo

Roy and I climb the spiral stairs to the

castlersquos chapel the weight of historyaround us to be greeted with a new

installation of stained glass Garrison of

Flowers The three-pane window tells thestory of the bloody fight between the

Princes of Gwynedd and the English crown

ldquoBy presenting the story of

the princes to visitors to the

castle Irsquove learnt that like

much of history the story is

not black and whiterdquo adds

Roy Williams ldquoI hope these

artworks will make people

think again about Welsh

history ndash and maybe inspire

them to find out morerdquo

We sit for a moment in contemplation ona semi-circular pew carved with verses in

Welsh English and French the languagesspoken in the new borough of Conwy in

the 1280s after the Edwardian ConquestIn the fading light of late afternoon oneparticular verse catches my eye

It reads ldquoLet the eye pierce the mirror of

the past ndash historyrsquos shadow phantom inthe glassrdquo

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

D o l w y d d e

l a n C a s t l e

12 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1331

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1431

Mae yna lawer o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn Llandrillo-yn-Rhos Bae Colwyn Towyn a Bae Cinmel Beth am ddilyn Llwybr Treftadaeth

Llandrillo-yn-Rhos gwibio ar hyd y llwybr beicio neu fynd allan ar y mocircr i ddal eich swper Dewch i gwrdd ag anifeiliaid a chreaduriaid ySw Fynydd Gymreig ym Mae Colwyn neu brynu darn gwreiddiol o gelf yn Oriel Gymunedol y Bae Os nad ydi hynny at eich dant beth am

roi ceiniog neu ddwy ar geffyl yn Nhir Prince Towyn neu fynd i ffair Knightly yn Nhowyn i wylio sioe hud a chael gwers neu ddwy yn yrysgol syrcas

R H O S - O N - S E A C O L W Y N B A Y T O W Y N amp K I N M E L B A Y

Set off for no fewer than three hours of historic discovery from the tiny shoreside chapel

of 6th century Saint Trillo just one of 26 sites on the Rhos-on-Sea Heritage Trail Pack apicnic and have lunch on the beach Grab an ice cream Write a postcard Stroll around

the shops Bring a bike and cycle down the prom or hop aboard a charter boat for a spotof sea fishing and catch your supper Then watch a proper puppet show at the 55-year-

old Harlequin Puppet Theatre the UKrsquos very first permanent marionette theatre

from te coas

T O G E T T H E M O S T 3 D

A Y S

A roam around Rhos

14 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1531

Day 1RHOS-ON-SEA

Sea Fishing Trips

from Rhos-on-Sea

01492 541733 or

07721 532731wwwincentivefishingcouk

Harlequin Puppet Theatre

01492 548166wwwpuppetsukcom

Day 2COLWYN BAY

Welsh Mountain Zoo

01492 532938wwwwelshmountainzooorg

Bay Gallery

07909 893254

Parc Eirias01492 577900wwwconwygovuk

Theatr Colwyn

01492 577888wwwtheatrcolwyncouk

Day 3TOWYN amp KINMEL BAY

Adventure PaintballSt George Abergele

01745 361368wwwadventure-companycouk

Tir Prince Towyn

01745 345123wwwtirprincecouk

Knightlyrsquos Funfair Towyn

01745 351112 or 07836 787789

wwwfunfair-hirecom

These are just a fewthings you can get upto in Rhos-on-Sea

Colwyn Bay Towynand Kinmel Bay to

find out more grab a

copy of the EssentialPocket Guide (2013

edition availablefrom Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

See if you can tell a meerkat from a polecat at the Welsh Mountain

Zoo the National Zoo of Wales After meeting the residents have lunchon the grassy slopes and catch a show at Sealions Rock Do a spot of

art appreciation and bag yourself some original artwork at the award-winning community Bay Gallery Go shopping at the market ndash choose

from classic or local farmersrsquo ndash and grab a bargain or the ingredientsfor dinner Take a tour of the town and a trip down memory lane onthe Heritage Trail or spend the afternoon at Parc Eirias on the bowling

green in the park pool or tennis court Finish off the day with a movieor a stage show at Theatr Colwyn the UKrsquos oldest operating cinema

Kick off day 3 with a gentle bike ride and some knockout sea views onthe cycle path from Colwyn Bay Crank up the pace and battle it out

across 69 acres of open woodland at Adventure Paintball AbergeleTake a breather at Pensarnrsquos quiet beach and treat yourself to some

candy floss Then have a flutter and experience the excitement ofAmerican harness racing at Tir Prince Raceway Towyn Finish your

tour with some classic seaside fun at Knightlyrsquos Funfair where youcan watch a magic show take a lesson at the circus skills schoolhave a game of bingo or a round of crazy golf

15

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1631

Conwy is a great place to get back to nature Better still

therersquos always something to see and do whatever the

season - from wild flowers in spring to migrating birds

in autumn Time your visit well and you could be greeted

by the rasping call of Reed warblers or the song of theReed bunting

There are new developments at the Great Orme County Park

and at the RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve this year But away

from the main sites there is also a host of attractions and

back-to-nature experiences at some of the lesser-known

locations managed by Conwy Countryside Service

We highlight some of the best of Conwyrsquos naturalattractions by season

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

Sir Gonwy ydirsquor lle perffaith i ymgolli ym myd natur beth bynnag y tywydd Bydd datblygiadau newydd ym Mharc Gwledig y Gogarth aGwarchodfa Natur Conwy yn denu ymwelwyr irsquor ardal i fwynhau byd natur ar ei orau

Mae Arsyllfa Natur newydd y warchodfa yn agor yn y gwanwyn ac mae disgwyl irsquor gwelliannau i Ganolfan Ymwelwyr y Gogarth fod wedi

eu cwblhau erbyn hynny hefyd Bydd y Maes man ymgynnull yn y warchodfa yn agor yn barod ar gyfer yr hydref arsquor adar mudo

Mae yna hefyd ddigon o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn rhai o safleoedd llai adnabyddus Gwasanaeth Cefn Gwlad Conwy Er enghraifft

llwybr cerdded newydd yng Ngwarchodfa Natur Coed Pwllycrochan ym Mae Colwyn syrsquon eich tywys trwyrsquor coed collddail

Itrsquos in our nature

copyA n d y H a

y r s p b - i m a g e sc

o m

copy E l e

a n o r

B e n t a l l

r s p b

- i m a g e s c o m

copyEleanor Bentall rspb-imagescom

copyAnd y Ha y rsp b-imagescom

16 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1731

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

RSPB CONWY NATURE RESERVE

Among the UKrsquos most popularRSPB reserves with plenty to

see throughout the year fromshorebirds returning in the autumn

to dragonflies in summer plus an

exciting timetable of events whichincludes a New Yearrsquos Day Walk and

International Mud Day in June

01492 584091wwwrspborguk

GREAT ORME COUNTRY

PARK VISITOR CENTRE

Discover the Great Ormersquos history

geology and wildlife and take asneaky peak at the seabird colonies

using the lsquoseabird camerarsquo A rangeof leaflets produced by Conwyrsquos

Countryside Service is available atthe Centre

01492 874151wwwconwygovukgreatorme

PENSYCHNANT CONSERVATION

CENTRE AND NATURE RESERVE

The woodland and heathland of

this nature reserve at the top ofConwyrsquos Sychnant Pass is home

to diverse species of wildlife andis a perfect starting point for awalk to the Carneddau mountains

The Centre itself works withnaturalists and wildlife organisations

and hosts regular events

01492 592595wwwpensychnantcouk

NATURE RESERVES

Conwy Countryside Servicemanages a number of naturereserves with diverse habitats ndash

from woodland to sand dunesndash including the wild landscapes

of Conwy Mountain Bodlondeb

Woods with its many speciesof birds and butterflies andDolwyddelan picnic site wherevolunteers created award-winning

flower beds

wwwconwygovukcountryside

SPRING

The new Jubilee Nature Observatory at

RSPB Conwy opens this spring The straw-bale-built structure overlooks one of the

two lagoons and up the Conwy Valley toSnowdonia Use it to spot birds such as

Water rail (similar to moorhens) hidden in

the reeds plus spring butterflies egrets andGrey heron

ldquoI love walking round the reserve on a spring

dayrdquo says Julian Hughes Reserve ManagerldquoWith birds arriving from Africa wild flowersand insects emerging therersquos something new

every dayrdquo

Improvements to the Great Orme CountryPark Visitor Centre will also be completefor spring with a new weather station and

a digital information point The Great Orme

boasts some 400 species of wild flowersin spring with rock roses one of the mostprevalent on its limestone grassland You canalso spot seabirds on the cliffs and Kashmir

goat kids running wild Look out for thewild flower interpretation chart one of the

centrersquos latest publications

SUMMER

A new viewpoint from RSPB Conwyrsquos Ganol

Trail looking across to Conwy Castle willopen for summer to spot oystercatchersand curlews on the islands in the lagoons

You will also see native wild flowers suchas Birdrsquos foot trefoil a food source for the

Common blue butterfly The Great Ormeheathland meanwhile will be in full bloomwith heather and gorse showering purple

and yellow flowers across the landscape

A perfect walking spot for May or June isthe Mynydd Marian Local Nature Reservea small limestone ridge on the edge of

the village of Llysfaen located betweenColwyn Bay and Abergele The limestone

grassland site boasts stunning coastal views

and a rich patchwork of summer flora andfauna including rare species such as Hoary

rockrose Spring cinquefoil and the Silver-studded blue butterfly

AUTUMN

New developments to the nature reserve

with the next stage of the ConwyConnections project at RSPB Conwy will

be complete for autumn The centrepieceof this will be Y Maes (the village square)

which will offer a newly landscaped central

outdoor meeting place It will also providean elevated view across the reserve to the

Conwy Valley Look across the treetops ateye level with the Goldfinches at play

ldquoThe mix of habitats brings people closerto naturerdquo says Julian Hughes ldquoThe reserve

is alive at this time of year with autumncolours fungus frogs and birdlife on the

moverdquo

Also alive in early autumn is the circular

walk through the Penmaenmawr uplands

exploring ancient historical sites from theJubilee Path to the Druidrsquos Circle whilstwalking through a carpet of mixed pinks andpurples with splashes of yellow from heather

gorse and bilberry

WINTER

Enjoy a winter walk at the Pwllycrochan

Woods Local Nature Reserve a deciduouswoodland above Colwyn Bay where

improvements to the woodland pathand new themed information boards areavailable for walkers amongst the native

and exotic trees Listen out for buzzardsnuthatch great spotted woodpecker and

tawny owls while out rambling the fivecircular woodland trails

ldquoWith sweet chestnut sessile oak andsycamore itrsquos a brilliant place to trudge

through the thick carpet of leaves in theautumnrdquo says Countryside Warden LesleyLawson

Finally the four walks around Llanfairfechan

are also ideal for winter wildlife Route one

through the Glan y Mocircr Elias Local NatureReserve is graced with wigeons grazing the

saltmarsh and wading birds on the adjoiningTraeth Lafan mudflats

17

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1831

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1931

The Green Flag Award Scheme is a

national standard of excellence for parksand green spaces To qualify a greenspace must be a welcoming place which

involves the community The awardtakes into consideration such things as

sustainability conservation and heritage

and recognises the hard work of dedicatedparks staff and community groups This

year we are proudly flying no fewerthan nine prestigious Green Flags from

ornamental flowerbeds paths and seatingat Queenrsquos Gardens Colwyn Bay a relaxedenvironment in an otherwise busy area of

the town to Cae Derw Llandudno Junctionwhich has a sensory garden sculptures a

play area and a place to walk the dogSo far more than 50000 daffodil bulbs have been planted at Llandudnorsquos parksgardens and green bits in a bid to secure the title of Daffodil Capital of Wales

Throughout 2012 school youth and childrenrsquos groups the Councilrsquos parksdepartment and local businesses gathered for mass bulb-planting and fund-raising

events competitions and activities with a lsquodaffometerrsquo gauging planting progressThe first yearrsquos planting goal was met (and bettered) last November and all thehard work is due to pay off this year Visit Llandudno in late winter early spring

to be among the first to see the explosions of bright yellow when thousands uponthousands of daffodils burst into bloom throughout the town

wwwdaffodilcapitalofwalescouk

Wales in Bloom is a national campaign designed to embrace the beauty of

Wales Prizes are awarded annually for the best looking towns and take into

consideration environmentally friendly practices and community involvement aswell as horticultural achievement In 2012 Colwyn Bay took home 1st prize the

Gold Award in the Large Town category for a whopping 11th year running Visitand see whatrsquos growing this year

walesinbloomorguk

G A R D E N S A N D G R E E N S P A C E S

Our Green Flags are flying atWynn Garden Old ColwynQueens Garden Colwyn Bay

Bodlondeb Park ConwyHappy Valley Llandudno

Great Orme Country Park LlandudnoPentre Mawr Park Abergele

Cae Derw Llandudno JunctionLlanrhos Lawn Cemetery LlandudnoBryn Euryn Allotments and Local Nature

Reserve Rhos-on-Sea

wwwconwygovuk

19

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2031

Prsquoun ai a ydych chirsquon anturiwr o fri syrsquon hoffi gwthiorsquoch corff arsquoch calon irsquor eithaf neursquon hoffi ymlacio a chwarae golff gyda thyrsquor clwb gerllaw

i chi gael llymaid mae rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn Llandudno a Sir Gonwy O antur ar dir sych i antur ar y mocircr - beth am roi cynnig arrywbeth newydd Beth am fynd ar siglen pum sedd fwyaf Ewrop yn Treetops Adventure neu os ydych chirsquon ddigon dewr beth am feicio

ar hyd llwybr 28km y Marin yng Nghoed Gwydir Yng Nghonwy mae gan ddringo sgiumlo syrffio barcud a cherdded un peth yn gyffredin -golygfeydd godidog o bob cyfeiriad

A C T I V I T I E S

Whether yoursquore a fully fledged outdoor type who likes nothing betterthan a no-holds-barred adrenaline thrill or prefer to spend your

spare time on the golf course with a club house close at hand therersquossomething to please everyone in Llandudno and Conwy County

Wersquove adventures on dry land and on the water Colwyn Bayrsquos eagerly

awaited Watersports Centre is coming soon but in the meantime whynot try something new Whether itrsquos climbing skiing kitesurfing or just

good old fashioned walking they all have one thing in common here

amazing scenery in every direction

20 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 2: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 231

Dewch i Landudno arsquor fro i fwynhau traethau a golygfeyddgodidog arfordir gogledd Cymru A thra rydych chi yma betham adeiladu castell tywod a bwyta pysgod a sglodion go iawnOnd wrth irsquor gaeaf ddynesu peidiwch acirc mynd yn bell Mae ynaddigon o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud trwyrsquor flwyddyngan gynnwys ymweld acirc rhai o ddigwyddiadau gorau Cymrufel Gwledd Conwy a Ffair Nadolig Llandudno ndash a fydd yn siwr

o godirsquoch hwyl yn ystod y gaeaf Mae rhywbeth yma at ddantpawb beth bynnag eich cyllideb Mae ein hanes unigryw ynmynd acirc chi o Oes Fictoria ar y pier irsquor Oesoedd Canol yng

Nghastell Conwy ac yna irsquor Oes Efydd yn y mwyngloddiaucopr Os nad ydi hynny at eich dant beth am fynd i VenueCymru i fwynhau perfformiad Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru neui chwerthin yng nghwmni digrifwyr gorau Prydain Fel arallbeth am i chi fynd i weld beth a welwch chi ar y Gogarth hafanbywyd gwyllt ar gwr y dref

Glaw neu hindda mi gewch chi groeso cynnes yn Llandudnobob tro

2 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 331

Visit Llandudno and the North Wales Coast and yoursquoll be treated tothe best of the British seaside beaches sea views sand castles and

proper fish and chips But when the deck chairs get packed awaywe donrsquot go into hibernation Therersquos plenty to keep you busy allyear round including some of Walesrsquo best events ndash from GwleddConwy Feast in October to Llandudnorsquos Christmas Fayre ndash allguaranteed to warm up the chilly months Wersquove something for alltastes and pockets too Our unique history ranges from the old atLlandudnorsquos Victorian pier the very old at Conwyrsquos medieval castleand town walls to the downright ancient at the Bronze Age coppermines Let the Welsh National Opera put a song in your heart whileBritainrsquos top stand-up comedians provide the belly laughs at VenueCymru Or explore the wild and woolly Green Flag landscapes ofThe Great Orme a coastal haven for wildlife on the edge of town

Whether the season calls for flip flops or wellies Llandudno isready with a big Welsh welcome

Llandudno

4 Great breaks

8 Walk this way

Conwy amp Conwy Valley heritage

9 Princes poems and parapets

Around the bay

14 3 days to get the most from the coast

Natural environment

16 Itrsquos in our nature

Gardens and green spaces

18 It takes time

Activities

20 Coastal adventures

21 The golf coast

23 Walks wheels and water

24 Outdoor adventures in

Conwy Valley amp Snowdonia

Food and drink

25 Add some local flavour

Events

28 Whatrsquos on in 2013

Places to visit

32 Attractions amp entertainment

A guide to the accommodation

34 Gradings amp colour code summary

Find a place to stay

36 A-Z list of accommodation

37 Symbols key

39 From basic to blow the budget

Walesrsquos holiday areas

61 Brochure request

Find your way

62 Street maps

Closer than you think

66 Travel and county map

Tourist Information Centres

Back cover - contact the people in

the know

V i e w f r o m t h

e s i t e o f D e g a n w y C a s t l e ( K i r a n R i d l e y )

3

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 431

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 531

G R E A T B R E A K S I N L L A N D U D N O

Hop aboard the vintage tramway which

has been charming passengers since 1902Painstakingly restored to its former glory

itrsquos the only cable-hauled tramway runningon British public roads today and is stillone of our favourite ways to get to the top

of the Great Orme from where on a clearday you can see as far as the Isle of Man

Blackpool and the Lake District

For a quick descent of the Great OrmeLlandudno Ski Slope and SnowboardCentre has a PermaSnow ski slope with

spectacular views over Llandudno Bay andthe longest toboggan run in Britain Open

all year and floodlit on winter eveningsexpert tuition in all kinds of winter sports

is available children from the age of fourcan try skiing and tobogganing while theover tens can have a go at snowboarding

Parents can test their own ski skills orwatch from the sidelines Apreacutes ski food

and drink are served at the Alpine Lodge

Dating back 4000 years (thatrsquos 2000

years before the Roman invasion) anddug out with just stone and bone tools

The Great Orme Ancient Mines are theworldrsquos largest Bronze Age Copper Mines

Since their discovery excavation workhas been slowly uncovering tunnels andsurface landscape and members of the

excavation team are on hand to answeryour questions as you take the self-guided

tour of the tunnels and prehistoric cavern

Walk around Llandudno town centre

and you might notice the woodensculptures of characters from the Alice

in Wonderland stories Creations ofCarmarthen-based sculptor SimonHedger they form part of The Alice Trail

celebrating the townrsquos links with authorLewis Carroll which is due for completion

in 2014 and will feature more than 40points of interest throughout the town

wwwwonderlandcouk

Open all year Bodafon Farm Park is abig working farm where you can meet

and feed the animals Residents includeHighland cattle fallow deer pygmy

goats and a Welsh Boar called Boris who

ploughed an entire field with his noseTake the farm trail and explore on foot

or hitch a ride on the tractor and trailerto make sure you donrsquot miss anything

Running alongside North Shore beach

is the elegant Victorian promenadewith its pastel-painted seafront hotels

Yoursquoll find all the ingredients of a goodold fashioned seaside holiday at Walesrsquolongest pier sticks of rock postcards

and amusement arcades and nearbyProfessor Codmanrsquos Punch and Judy

one of Britainrsquos longest-running shows

PIER PROM AND PUNCH

ALICErsquoS ADVENTURES

FUN ON THE FARM

GOING UP

IN LLANDUDNO

Bring the youngsters a bucket and spadeand head for the beach Wersquove two tochoose from in Llandudno and both

promise a great day out award-winning

and fun-packed North Shore or big andsandy West Shore great for kite-flyersand kite-surfers alike Wersquove many morebeaches along the coast too Build a sand

castle paddle in the sea or if the weatherwonrsquot cooperate take a dip in the indoor

pool at Llandudno Swimming Centre

Sandy Cove Kinmel Bay Seaside

Award (rural) and Green Coast Award

PensarnAbergele Seaside Award

(resort) and Green Coast Award

Llanddulas Green Coast Award

Old Colwyn Seaside Award (rural)and Green Coast Award

Colwyn BayRhos-on-SeaBlue Flag and Seaside Award (resort)

Penrhyn Bay Green Coast Award

Llandudno North Shore Seaside Award (resort)

Conwy Morfa Green Coast Award

Penmaenmawr Seaside Award (resort)

Llanfairfechan Seaside Award (resort)

BEACHES AWARD-WINNING

BEACHES 2012

GOING UNDERGROUND

GOING DOWN

5

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 631

A PEAK AT THE PAST

Discover Llandudnorsquos long and fascinatinghistory from the really ancient to the fairly

recent Llandudno Museum has a regularlychanging programme of temporaryexhibitions and there are many fascinating

artefacts in the permanent collection

too from a footprint on a Roman tile topaintings sculptures furniture and objetdrsquoart from around the world

VINTAGE BUS TOUR

After walking the best way to see theGreat Orme is from a vintage coach as

it winds its way round the limestoneheadlandrsquos four mile toll road The drivetakes an hour and enjoys spectacular views

out to sea along the way as well as lots

of other great things to look out for fromcolonies of seabirds and free-roamingKashmiri goats to the Victorian lighthouseand medieval Church of St Tudno

wwwalpine-travelcouk

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

Those who remember the 1940s will betreated to a nostalgic trip down memory

lane at this living history museum whilethe self-guided tour allows younger visitorsto experience the sights and sounds of

1940s Britain giving an unique glimpse

into what life was like during the SecondWorld War

wwwhomefrontmuseumcouk

G R E A T B R E A K S I N L L A N D U D N O

FOR HISTORY BUFFS

6 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 731

V E N U E C Y M R U

With its diverse programme of events Venue Cymru is among

North Walesrsquo best places to go for a great night out Thereare performances throughout the year ranging from musicals

and drama to pop gigs and stand-up comedy with large-scaleproductions by the likes of Welsh National Opera and Moscow

City Ballet and smaller shows by local theatre companies Hereare a few of this yearrsquos highlights for full details of whatrsquos on in2013 visit wwwvenuecymrucouk

22 FEBRUARY Phil Cool ndash A Comedy Legend

17 MARCH BBC National Orchestra of Wales

ndash Sibelius Mozart Stravinskyand more

13 15 16 MARCH Welsh National Opera ndashPuccinirsquos Madame Butterfly

25-30 MARCH Agatha Christiersquos The Mousetrap

ndash Diamond Anniversary Tour

4-6 APRIL The Importance of Being Earnest

16-20 APRIL James and the Giant Peach

7-11 MAY Sleeping Beauty on Ice

19 MAY Micky Flanagan ndash 2013

12-13 JUNE Bill Bailey ndash Qualmpeddler2 AUGUST Jimmy Carr ndash Gagging Order

14 -15 OCTOBER Jason Manford

M O S T Y N

Described by The Guardian as lsquoone of the most adventurous

contemporary art venues in the UKrsquo MOSTYN shows regularlychanging exhibitions of international contemporary art

Housed in a Grade II-listed building with impressive Victorianfaccedilade and gold spire MOSTYN began life as the worldrsquos first

gallery for women artists Itrsquos still a great place to discoverstimulating art today and alongside the work displayed acrosssix gallery spaces yoursquoll find a shop selling contemporary craft

by local national and international makers and a Cafeacute whereyou can enjoy locally-baked cakes fresh coffee and a menu of

exciting dishes cooked to order

G R E A T B R E A K S I N L L A N D U D N O

F O R T H C O M I N G E V E N T S A T MO S T Y N

From January 2013 lsquoMOSTYN Open 18rsquoThis the 18th Open exhibition features work by artists fromhome and abroad with a pound10000 prize and an additionalpound1000 prize to the artist who receives the most votes from

visitors to the exhibition

From April 2013 lsquoYOUrsquo (plus solo artist shows)Bringing together the work of five international artists thisexhibition includes pieces that require the direct involvement

of the viewer

From July 2013 lsquoDear Portraitrsquo (plus solo artist shows)This exhibition looks at portraiture and aims to update andrenew its relevance in todayrsquos visual arts

From October 2013 lsquoWomenrsquos Art Societyrsquo(plus solo artist shows)Part of a series of shows about the buildingrsquos heritage this

exhibition explores the origins of MOSTYN as an exhibition

space for women previously excluded from local art societieson the basis of their gender

To find out more visit wwwmostynorg

To find out more about all theother great things to see and do inLlandudno grab yourself a copy of

the Essential Pocket Guide (2013edition available at Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

7

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 831

The Great Orme limestone headland is designated a Special Area of Conservation

a Site of Special Scientific Interest a local Nature Reserve and has just received

a Green Flag Award for the fifth year running One of the best ways to see it

and make sure you donrsquot miss anything is to take a guided walk Here four

walkers ndash Sian and Roger Dale and Stella and Mike Lehane ndash join guide

Barry Mortlock on an autumn walk especially designed for over 50s

8 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 931

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1031

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

Many events from this time shaped Walesin terms of its landscape culture andheritage Yet the lives and times of the

Princes of Gwynedd and their strugglesagainst their neighbours both within and

beyond Wales remain one of the leastknown epochs in the story of Wales

ldquoThe Princes presided over a period ofdynamic change in the history of Wales

We owe so many of our notions of cultureand history today to this periodrdquo saysHelen Bradley Heritage Tourism Project

Officer for Conwy County BoroughCouncil

Helen is showing me around the newPrinces of Gwynedd exhibition at the

tourist information centre in the centreof Conwy The exhibition tells the story

of the Princes using maps documentsand sound recordings to capture thespirit of the times From a child-friendly

animation of historical soundbitesto information about life in medieval

Gwynedd during their reign the exhibitionacts as a gateway to a series of sites across

Gwynedd Conwy and the SnowdoniaNational Park

ldquoThe Princes were tactical

strategic players on the

European stage reformingtheir lands and creating

strong political alliances

They were not downtrodden

victims cowering in the

mountainsrdquo adds Helen

The Princes ruled over tribal kingdoms

surviving Saxon attacks and theconstruction of Offarsquos Dyke along theWelsh-English border in the 8th century

Viking raids in the 9th century andwidespread power struggles and in-

fighting within Wales itself It was not untilthe 13th century that the Princes finallyrose to predominance first with Llywelyn

Fawr (the Great) and finally his grandsonLlywelyn ap Gruffydd who was the first

to be known by the title Prince of WalesAfter his death the new Welsh values ofnationhood language and law appeared

threatened forever Indeed it wouldnrsquot

be until the rise of Owain Glyndwr in the1400s that Welsh pride would be restored

Helen goes on to show me round thesecond room of the exhibition which is

dedicated to the cultural legacy of theage of the Princes Despite our dark imageof the times this era saw Welsh literature

and art flourish Indeed Rhys ap Gruffyddconvened the first ever bardic tournament

in 1176 a precursor to the modern-dayEisteddfod The Princes commissionedbards to write eulogies and praise poems

which helped to create a mythologyaround their image and ancestry

ITrsquoS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS DYNASTIES IN WELSH

HISTORY THEIR ST ORY SPANS A PERIOD OF TUMULT

AND CONFLICT FROM THE END OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

TO THE WARS OF INDEPENDENCE AGAINST EDWARD I

10 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1131

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

One featured poem recorded in medieval

Welsh is a praise poem for the Princesby Gynddelw Brydydd Mawr It dates

from 1170 ldquoHe is a spear striking on thebattlefield exalted in his praise hellip His spearis blood-stained as he dispenses his angerrdquo

After a brisk walk around the walls a quicklook into Aberconwy House the townrsquosoldest medieval merchantrsquos quartersdating from around 1300 and lunch at

Lrsquos cool little coffee and bookshop I setout to trace the princesrsquo legacy through

the surrounding landscape I take thescenic Conwy Valley railway line down toLlanrwst via Dolgarrog the line celebrating

its 150th birthday in June this year

The route passes through an RSPBwildlife reserve looking back towards

Conwy Castle and Robert Stephensonrsquosengineering-marvel railway bridge beforeheading onwards through a picture-

postcard landscape past Bodnant GardenBy the time we are approaching North

Llanrwst station the Gwydyr Forest islooming into view

ldquoItrsquos a very different experience to exploreConwy by public transport rather than

drivingrdquo says Larry Davies CommunityRail Officer for Arriva Trains Wales whichis working with local bus companies to

connect key locations along the princesrsquotrail ldquoYou get closer to the scenery closer

to history this wayrdquo he smiles

St Grwstrsquos Church dedicated to the 6th

century Celtic saint who founded thechurch in Llanrwst clings to the banks

of the River Conwy Gwydir Chapel thestone-built chapel adjacent to the main

church and dating from 1633 houses the

stone sarcophagus of Llywelyn the Great

who died in 1240 after a reign spanningfour decades

Llywelyn is regarded as one of the greatest

Welsh princes a powerful 13th centuryruler who fought hard to unite his realmand to play a role on the wider stage

concluding treaties with rulers such asPhillip Augustus of France in 1212 Upon

his death his body was buried first in

Conwy and then moved to Maenan

Abbey outside Llanrwst When HenryVIII dissolved the monasteries in the

16th century Llywelynrsquos stone coffinwas moved to the church in Llanrwst His

body was lost but the elaborately carvedsarcophagus survives

11

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1231

Elsewhere along the line other locationshelp bring the story of the Princes to lifeFor example St Michaelrsquos Church at Betws-

y-Coed features a 14th century limestoneeffigy of Gruffydd ap Dafydd Goch

while the stunning castle at Dolwyddelanwas first built by Llywelyn Fawr andsubsequently modified by Edward I Both

sites are open to visitors

For an overview a dedicated website withan interactive map and a new guidebook

to sites associated with the Princes will beavailable from Spring 2013 for visitors tofind out more

Back in Conwy I finish with a visit to the

World Heritage Site of Conwy Castle oneof the cornerstones of Edward Irsquos iron ringof castles A series of new artworks inside

the castle ruins symbolise fragments of thestory and add depth to the human story

behind the facts of the history books

Llywelynrsquos Coronet a crown atop a towerof shields and swords in the Prison Tower

by the artist Rubin Eynon symbolises the

burning spirit of the people while a rusted-iron sculpture of the head of King Edward Iby Gideon Petersen in the Kingrsquos Chamber

is a ghostly presence

Standing on the defensive parapets ofthe castle I look over the estuary towardsthe former castle site at Deganwy a

stronghold of the Princes ransacked andravaged by generations of invaders Below

is the busy harbour quayside ldquoConwy wasa bustling trading port in the late 13th

century with communities of EnglishWelsh and other nationalitiesrdquo says RoyWilliams Head Custodian at Conwy

Castle ldquoThe castle had its own watergateentrance to allow access for people and

supplies directly from shipsrdquo

Roy and I climb the spiral stairs to the

castlersquos chapel the weight of historyaround us to be greeted with a new

installation of stained glass Garrison of

Flowers The three-pane window tells thestory of the bloody fight between the

Princes of Gwynedd and the English crown

ldquoBy presenting the story of

the princes to visitors to the

castle Irsquove learnt that like

much of history the story is

not black and whiterdquo adds

Roy Williams ldquoI hope these

artworks will make people

think again about Welsh

history ndash and maybe inspire

them to find out morerdquo

We sit for a moment in contemplation ona semi-circular pew carved with verses in

Welsh English and French the languagesspoken in the new borough of Conwy in

the 1280s after the Edwardian ConquestIn the fading light of late afternoon oneparticular verse catches my eye

It reads ldquoLet the eye pierce the mirror of

the past ndash historyrsquos shadow phantom inthe glassrdquo

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

D o l w y d d e

l a n C a s t l e

12 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1331

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1431

Mae yna lawer o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn Llandrillo-yn-Rhos Bae Colwyn Towyn a Bae Cinmel Beth am ddilyn Llwybr Treftadaeth

Llandrillo-yn-Rhos gwibio ar hyd y llwybr beicio neu fynd allan ar y mocircr i ddal eich swper Dewch i gwrdd ag anifeiliaid a chreaduriaid ySw Fynydd Gymreig ym Mae Colwyn neu brynu darn gwreiddiol o gelf yn Oriel Gymunedol y Bae Os nad ydi hynny at eich dant beth am

roi ceiniog neu ddwy ar geffyl yn Nhir Prince Towyn neu fynd i ffair Knightly yn Nhowyn i wylio sioe hud a chael gwers neu ddwy yn yrysgol syrcas

R H O S - O N - S E A C O L W Y N B A Y T O W Y N amp K I N M E L B A Y

Set off for no fewer than three hours of historic discovery from the tiny shoreside chapel

of 6th century Saint Trillo just one of 26 sites on the Rhos-on-Sea Heritage Trail Pack apicnic and have lunch on the beach Grab an ice cream Write a postcard Stroll around

the shops Bring a bike and cycle down the prom or hop aboard a charter boat for a spotof sea fishing and catch your supper Then watch a proper puppet show at the 55-year-

old Harlequin Puppet Theatre the UKrsquos very first permanent marionette theatre

from te coas

T O G E T T H E M O S T 3 D

A Y S

A roam around Rhos

14 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1531

Day 1RHOS-ON-SEA

Sea Fishing Trips

from Rhos-on-Sea

01492 541733 or

07721 532731wwwincentivefishingcouk

Harlequin Puppet Theatre

01492 548166wwwpuppetsukcom

Day 2COLWYN BAY

Welsh Mountain Zoo

01492 532938wwwwelshmountainzooorg

Bay Gallery

07909 893254

Parc Eirias01492 577900wwwconwygovuk

Theatr Colwyn

01492 577888wwwtheatrcolwyncouk

Day 3TOWYN amp KINMEL BAY

Adventure PaintballSt George Abergele

01745 361368wwwadventure-companycouk

Tir Prince Towyn

01745 345123wwwtirprincecouk

Knightlyrsquos Funfair Towyn

01745 351112 or 07836 787789

wwwfunfair-hirecom

These are just a fewthings you can get upto in Rhos-on-Sea

Colwyn Bay Towynand Kinmel Bay to

find out more grab a

copy of the EssentialPocket Guide (2013

edition availablefrom Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

See if you can tell a meerkat from a polecat at the Welsh Mountain

Zoo the National Zoo of Wales After meeting the residents have lunchon the grassy slopes and catch a show at Sealions Rock Do a spot of

art appreciation and bag yourself some original artwork at the award-winning community Bay Gallery Go shopping at the market ndash choose

from classic or local farmersrsquo ndash and grab a bargain or the ingredientsfor dinner Take a tour of the town and a trip down memory lane onthe Heritage Trail or spend the afternoon at Parc Eirias on the bowling

green in the park pool or tennis court Finish off the day with a movieor a stage show at Theatr Colwyn the UKrsquos oldest operating cinema

Kick off day 3 with a gentle bike ride and some knockout sea views onthe cycle path from Colwyn Bay Crank up the pace and battle it out

across 69 acres of open woodland at Adventure Paintball AbergeleTake a breather at Pensarnrsquos quiet beach and treat yourself to some

candy floss Then have a flutter and experience the excitement ofAmerican harness racing at Tir Prince Raceway Towyn Finish your

tour with some classic seaside fun at Knightlyrsquos Funfair where youcan watch a magic show take a lesson at the circus skills schoolhave a game of bingo or a round of crazy golf

15

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1631

Conwy is a great place to get back to nature Better still

therersquos always something to see and do whatever the

season - from wild flowers in spring to migrating birds

in autumn Time your visit well and you could be greeted

by the rasping call of Reed warblers or the song of theReed bunting

There are new developments at the Great Orme County Park

and at the RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve this year But away

from the main sites there is also a host of attractions and

back-to-nature experiences at some of the lesser-known

locations managed by Conwy Countryside Service

We highlight some of the best of Conwyrsquos naturalattractions by season

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

Sir Gonwy ydirsquor lle perffaith i ymgolli ym myd natur beth bynnag y tywydd Bydd datblygiadau newydd ym Mharc Gwledig y Gogarth aGwarchodfa Natur Conwy yn denu ymwelwyr irsquor ardal i fwynhau byd natur ar ei orau

Mae Arsyllfa Natur newydd y warchodfa yn agor yn y gwanwyn ac mae disgwyl irsquor gwelliannau i Ganolfan Ymwelwyr y Gogarth fod wedi

eu cwblhau erbyn hynny hefyd Bydd y Maes man ymgynnull yn y warchodfa yn agor yn barod ar gyfer yr hydref arsquor adar mudo

Mae yna hefyd ddigon o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn rhai o safleoedd llai adnabyddus Gwasanaeth Cefn Gwlad Conwy Er enghraifft

llwybr cerdded newydd yng Ngwarchodfa Natur Coed Pwllycrochan ym Mae Colwyn syrsquon eich tywys trwyrsquor coed collddail

Itrsquos in our nature

copyA n d y H a

y r s p b - i m a g e sc

o m

copy E l e

a n o r

B e n t a l l

r s p b

- i m a g e s c o m

copyEleanor Bentall rspb-imagescom

copyAnd y Ha y rsp b-imagescom

16 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1731

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

RSPB CONWY NATURE RESERVE

Among the UKrsquos most popularRSPB reserves with plenty to

see throughout the year fromshorebirds returning in the autumn

to dragonflies in summer plus an

exciting timetable of events whichincludes a New Yearrsquos Day Walk and

International Mud Day in June

01492 584091wwwrspborguk

GREAT ORME COUNTRY

PARK VISITOR CENTRE

Discover the Great Ormersquos history

geology and wildlife and take asneaky peak at the seabird colonies

using the lsquoseabird camerarsquo A rangeof leaflets produced by Conwyrsquos

Countryside Service is available atthe Centre

01492 874151wwwconwygovukgreatorme

PENSYCHNANT CONSERVATION

CENTRE AND NATURE RESERVE

The woodland and heathland of

this nature reserve at the top ofConwyrsquos Sychnant Pass is home

to diverse species of wildlife andis a perfect starting point for awalk to the Carneddau mountains

The Centre itself works withnaturalists and wildlife organisations

and hosts regular events

01492 592595wwwpensychnantcouk

NATURE RESERVES

Conwy Countryside Servicemanages a number of naturereserves with diverse habitats ndash

from woodland to sand dunesndash including the wild landscapes

of Conwy Mountain Bodlondeb

Woods with its many speciesof birds and butterflies andDolwyddelan picnic site wherevolunteers created award-winning

flower beds

wwwconwygovukcountryside

SPRING

The new Jubilee Nature Observatory at

RSPB Conwy opens this spring The straw-bale-built structure overlooks one of the

two lagoons and up the Conwy Valley toSnowdonia Use it to spot birds such as

Water rail (similar to moorhens) hidden in

the reeds plus spring butterflies egrets andGrey heron

ldquoI love walking round the reserve on a spring

dayrdquo says Julian Hughes Reserve ManagerldquoWith birds arriving from Africa wild flowersand insects emerging therersquos something new

every dayrdquo

Improvements to the Great Orme CountryPark Visitor Centre will also be completefor spring with a new weather station and

a digital information point The Great Orme

boasts some 400 species of wild flowersin spring with rock roses one of the mostprevalent on its limestone grassland You canalso spot seabirds on the cliffs and Kashmir

goat kids running wild Look out for thewild flower interpretation chart one of the

centrersquos latest publications

SUMMER

A new viewpoint from RSPB Conwyrsquos Ganol

Trail looking across to Conwy Castle willopen for summer to spot oystercatchersand curlews on the islands in the lagoons

You will also see native wild flowers suchas Birdrsquos foot trefoil a food source for the

Common blue butterfly The Great Ormeheathland meanwhile will be in full bloomwith heather and gorse showering purple

and yellow flowers across the landscape

A perfect walking spot for May or June isthe Mynydd Marian Local Nature Reservea small limestone ridge on the edge of

the village of Llysfaen located betweenColwyn Bay and Abergele The limestone

grassland site boasts stunning coastal views

and a rich patchwork of summer flora andfauna including rare species such as Hoary

rockrose Spring cinquefoil and the Silver-studded blue butterfly

AUTUMN

New developments to the nature reserve

with the next stage of the ConwyConnections project at RSPB Conwy will

be complete for autumn The centrepieceof this will be Y Maes (the village square)

which will offer a newly landscaped central

outdoor meeting place It will also providean elevated view across the reserve to the

Conwy Valley Look across the treetops ateye level with the Goldfinches at play

ldquoThe mix of habitats brings people closerto naturerdquo says Julian Hughes ldquoThe reserve

is alive at this time of year with autumncolours fungus frogs and birdlife on the

moverdquo

Also alive in early autumn is the circular

walk through the Penmaenmawr uplands

exploring ancient historical sites from theJubilee Path to the Druidrsquos Circle whilstwalking through a carpet of mixed pinks andpurples with splashes of yellow from heather

gorse and bilberry

WINTER

Enjoy a winter walk at the Pwllycrochan

Woods Local Nature Reserve a deciduouswoodland above Colwyn Bay where

improvements to the woodland pathand new themed information boards areavailable for walkers amongst the native

and exotic trees Listen out for buzzardsnuthatch great spotted woodpecker and

tawny owls while out rambling the fivecircular woodland trails

ldquoWith sweet chestnut sessile oak andsycamore itrsquos a brilliant place to trudge

through the thick carpet of leaves in theautumnrdquo says Countryside Warden LesleyLawson

Finally the four walks around Llanfairfechan

are also ideal for winter wildlife Route one

through the Glan y Mocircr Elias Local NatureReserve is graced with wigeons grazing the

saltmarsh and wading birds on the adjoiningTraeth Lafan mudflats

17

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1831

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1931

The Green Flag Award Scheme is a

national standard of excellence for parksand green spaces To qualify a greenspace must be a welcoming place which

involves the community The awardtakes into consideration such things as

sustainability conservation and heritage

and recognises the hard work of dedicatedparks staff and community groups This

year we are proudly flying no fewerthan nine prestigious Green Flags from

ornamental flowerbeds paths and seatingat Queenrsquos Gardens Colwyn Bay a relaxedenvironment in an otherwise busy area of

the town to Cae Derw Llandudno Junctionwhich has a sensory garden sculptures a

play area and a place to walk the dogSo far more than 50000 daffodil bulbs have been planted at Llandudnorsquos parksgardens and green bits in a bid to secure the title of Daffodil Capital of Wales

Throughout 2012 school youth and childrenrsquos groups the Councilrsquos parksdepartment and local businesses gathered for mass bulb-planting and fund-raising

events competitions and activities with a lsquodaffometerrsquo gauging planting progressThe first yearrsquos planting goal was met (and bettered) last November and all thehard work is due to pay off this year Visit Llandudno in late winter early spring

to be among the first to see the explosions of bright yellow when thousands uponthousands of daffodils burst into bloom throughout the town

wwwdaffodilcapitalofwalescouk

Wales in Bloom is a national campaign designed to embrace the beauty of

Wales Prizes are awarded annually for the best looking towns and take into

consideration environmentally friendly practices and community involvement aswell as horticultural achievement In 2012 Colwyn Bay took home 1st prize the

Gold Award in the Large Town category for a whopping 11th year running Visitand see whatrsquos growing this year

walesinbloomorguk

G A R D E N S A N D G R E E N S P A C E S

Our Green Flags are flying atWynn Garden Old ColwynQueens Garden Colwyn Bay

Bodlondeb Park ConwyHappy Valley Llandudno

Great Orme Country Park LlandudnoPentre Mawr Park Abergele

Cae Derw Llandudno JunctionLlanrhos Lawn Cemetery LlandudnoBryn Euryn Allotments and Local Nature

Reserve Rhos-on-Sea

wwwconwygovuk

19

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2031

Prsquoun ai a ydych chirsquon anturiwr o fri syrsquon hoffi gwthiorsquoch corff arsquoch calon irsquor eithaf neursquon hoffi ymlacio a chwarae golff gyda thyrsquor clwb gerllaw

i chi gael llymaid mae rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn Llandudno a Sir Gonwy O antur ar dir sych i antur ar y mocircr - beth am roi cynnig arrywbeth newydd Beth am fynd ar siglen pum sedd fwyaf Ewrop yn Treetops Adventure neu os ydych chirsquon ddigon dewr beth am feicio

ar hyd llwybr 28km y Marin yng Nghoed Gwydir Yng Nghonwy mae gan ddringo sgiumlo syrffio barcud a cherdded un peth yn gyffredin -golygfeydd godidog o bob cyfeiriad

A C T I V I T I E S

Whether yoursquore a fully fledged outdoor type who likes nothing betterthan a no-holds-barred adrenaline thrill or prefer to spend your

spare time on the golf course with a club house close at hand therersquossomething to please everyone in Llandudno and Conwy County

Wersquove adventures on dry land and on the water Colwyn Bayrsquos eagerly

awaited Watersports Centre is coming soon but in the meantime whynot try something new Whether itrsquos climbing skiing kitesurfing or just

good old fashioned walking they all have one thing in common here

amazing scenery in every direction

20 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 3: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 331

Visit Llandudno and the North Wales Coast and yoursquoll be treated tothe best of the British seaside beaches sea views sand castles and

proper fish and chips But when the deck chairs get packed awaywe donrsquot go into hibernation Therersquos plenty to keep you busy allyear round including some of Walesrsquo best events ndash from GwleddConwy Feast in October to Llandudnorsquos Christmas Fayre ndash allguaranteed to warm up the chilly months Wersquove something for alltastes and pockets too Our unique history ranges from the old atLlandudnorsquos Victorian pier the very old at Conwyrsquos medieval castleand town walls to the downright ancient at the Bronze Age coppermines Let the Welsh National Opera put a song in your heart whileBritainrsquos top stand-up comedians provide the belly laughs at VenueCymru Or explore the wild and woolly Green Flag landscapes ofThe Great Orme a coastal haven for wildlife on the edge of town

Whether the season calls for flip flops or wellies Llandudno isready with a big Welsh welcome

Llandudno

4 Great breaks

8 Walk this way

Conwy amp Conwy Valley heritage

9 Princes poems and parapets

Around the bay

14 3 days to get the most from the coast

Natural environment

16 Itrsquos in our nature

Gardens and green spaces

18 It takes time

Activities

20 Coastal adventures

21 The golf coast

23 Walks wheels and water

24 Outdoor adventures in

Conwy Valley amp Snowdonia

Food and drink

25 Add some local flavour

Events

28 Whatrsquos on in 2013

Places to visit

32 Attractions amp entertainment

A guide to the accommodation

34 Gradings amp colour code summary

Find a place to stay

36 A-Z list of accommodation

37 Symbols key

39 From basic to blow the budget

Walesrsquos holiday areas

61 Brochure request

Find your way

62 Street maps

Closer than you think

66 Travel and county map

Tourist Information Centres

Back cover - contact the people in

the know

V i e w f r o m t h

e s i t e o f D e g a n w y C a s t l e ( K i r a n R i d l e y )

3

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 431

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 531

G R E A T B R E A K S I N L L A N D U D N O

Hop aboard the vintage tramway which

has been charming passengers since 1902Painstakingly restored to its former glory

itrsquos the only cable-hauled tramway runningon British public roads today and is stillone of our favourite ways to get to the top

of the Great Orme from where on a clearday you can see as far as the Isle of Man

Blackpool and the Lake District

For a quick descent of the Great OrmeLlandudno Ski Slope and SnowboardCentre has a PermaSnow ski slope with

spectacular views over Llandudno Bay andthe longest toboggan run in Britain Open

all year and floodlit on winter eveningsexpert tuition in all kinds of winter sports

is available children from the age of fourcan try skiing and tobogganing while theover tens can have a go at snowboarding

Parents can test their own ski skills orwatch from the sidelines Apreacutes ski food

and drink are served at the Alpine Lodge

Dating back 4000 years (thatrsquos 2000

years before the Roman invasion) anddug out with just stone and bone tools

The Great Orme Ancient Mines are theworldrsquos largest Bronze Age Copper Mines

Since their discovery excavation workhas been slowly uncovering tunnels andsurface landscape and members of the

excavation team are on hand to answeryour questions as you take the self-guided

tour of the tunnels and prehistoric cavern

Walk around Llandudno town centre

and you might notice the woodensculptures of characters from the Alice

in Wonderland stories Creations ofCarmarthen-based sculptor SimonHedger they form part of The Alice Trail

celebrating the townrsquos links with authorLewis Carroll which is due for completion

in 2014 and will feature more than 40points of interest throughout the town

wwwwonderlandcouk

Open all year Bodafon Farm Park is abig working farm where you can meet

and feed the animals Residents includeHighland cattle fallow deer pygmy

goats and a Welsh Boar called Boris who

ploughed an entire field with his noseTake the farm trail and explore on foot

or hitch a ride on the tractor and trailerto make sure you donrsquot miss anything

Running alongside North Shore beach

is the elegant Victorian promenadewith its pastel-painted seafront hotels

Yoursquoll find all the ingredients of a goodold fashioned seaside holiday at Walesrsquolongest pier sticks of rock postcards

and amusement arcades and nearbyProfessor Codmanrsquos Punch and Judy

one of Britainrsquos longest-running shows

PIER PROM AND PUNCH

ALICErsquoS ADVENTURES

FUN ON THE FARM

GOING UP

IN LLANDUDNO

Bring the youngsters a bucket and spadeand head for the beach Wersquove two tochoose from in Llandudno and both

promise a great day out award-winning

and fun-packed North Shore or big andsandy West Shore great for kite-flyersand kite-surfers alike Wersquove many morebeaches along the coast too Build a sand

castle paddle in the sea or if the weatherwonrsquot cooperate take a dip in the indoor

pool at Llandudno Swimming Centre

Sandy Cove Kinmel Bay Seaside

Award (rural) and Green Coast Award

PensarnAbergele Seaside Award

(resort) and Green Coast Award

Llanddulas Green Coast Award

Old Colwyn Seaside Award (rural)and Green Coast Award

Colwyn BayRhos-on-SeaBlue Flag and Seaside Award (resort)

Penrhyn Bay Green Coast Award

Llandudno North Shore Seaside Award (resort)

Conwy Morfa Green Coast Award

Penmaenmawr Seaside Award (resort)

Llanfairfechan Seaside Award (resort)

BEACHES AWARD-WINNING

BEACHES 2012

GOING UNDERGROUND

GOING DOWN

5

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 631

A PEAK AT THE PAST

Discover Llandudnorsquos long and fascinatinghistory from the really ancient to the fairly

recent Llandudno Museum has a regularlychanging programme of temporaryexhibitions and there are many fascinating

artefacts in the permanent collection

too from a footprint on a Roman tile topaintings sculptures furniture and objetdrsquoart from around the world

VINTAGE BUS TOUR

After walking the best way to see theGreat Orme is from a vintage coach as

it winds its way round the limestoneheadlandrsquos four mile toll road The drivetakes an hour and enjoys spectacular views

out to sea along the way as well as lots

of other great things to look out for fromcolonies of seabirds and free-roamingKashmiri goats to the Victorian lighthouseand medieval Church of St Tudno

wwwalpine-travelcouk

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

Those who remember the 1940s will betreated to a nostalgic trip down memory

lane at this living history museum whilethe self-guided tour allows younger visitorsto experience the sights and sounds of

1940s Britain giving an unique glimpse

into what life was like during the SecondWorld War

wwwhomefrontmuseumcouk

G R E A T B R E A K S I N L L A N D U D N O

FOR HISTORY BUFFS

6 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 731

V E N U E C Y M R U

With its diverse programme of events Venue Cymru is among

North Walesrsquo best places to go for a great night out Thereare performances throughout the year ranging from musicals

and drama to pop gigs and stand-up comedy with large-scaleproductions by the likes of Welsh National Opera and Moscow

City Ballet and smaller shows by local theatre companies Hereare a few of this yearrsquos highlights for full details of whatrsquos on in2013 visit wwwvenuecymrucouk

22 FEBRUARY Phil Cool ndash A Comedy Legend

17 MARCH BBC National Orchestra of Wales

ndash Sibelius Mozart Stravinskyand more

13 15 16 MARCH Welsh National Opera ndashPuccinirsquos Madame Butterfly

25-30 MARCH Agatha Christiersquos The Mousetrap

ndash Diamond Anniversary Tour

4-6 APRIL The Importance of Being Earnest

16-20 APRIL James and the Giant Peach

7-11 MAY Sleeping Beauty on Ice

19 MAY Micky Flanagan ndash 2013

12-13 JUNE Bill Bailey ndash Qualmpeddler2 AUGUST Jimmy Carr ndash Gagging Order

14 -15 OCTOBER Jason Manford

M O S T Y N

Described by The Guardian as lsquoone of the most adventurous

contemporary art venues in the UKrsquo MOSTYN shows regularlychanging exhibitions of international contemporary art

Housed in a Grade II-listed building with impressive Victorianfaccedilade and gold spire MOSTYN began life as the worldrsquos first

gallery for women artists Itrsquos still a great place to discoverstimulating art today and alongside the work displayed acrosssix gallery spaces yoursquoll find a shop selling contemporary craft

by local national and international makers and a Cafeacute whereyou can enjoy locally-baked cakes fresh coffee and a menu of

exciting dishes cooked to order

G R E A T B R E A K S I N L L A N D U D N O

F O R T H C O M I N G E V E N T S A T MO S T Y N

From January 2013 lsquoMOSTYN Open 18rsquoThis the 18th Open exhibition features work by artists fromhome and abroad with a pound10000 prize and an additionalpound1000 prize to the artist who receives the most votes from

visitors to the exhibition

From April 2013 lsquoYOUrsquo (plus solo artist shows)Bringing together the work of five international artists thisexhibition includes pieces that require the direct involvement

of the viewer

From July 2013 lsquoDear Portraitrsquo (plus solo artist shows)This exhibition looks at portraiture and aims to update andrenew its relevance in todayrsquos visual arts

From October 2013 lsquoWomenrsquos Art Societyrsquo(plus solo artist shows)Part of a series of shows about the buildingrsquos heritage this

exhibition explores the origins of MOSTYN as an exhibition

space for women previously excluded from local art societieson the basis of their gender

To find out more visit wwwmostynorg

To find out more about all theother great things to see and do inLlandudno grab yourself a copy of

the Essential Pocket Guide (2013edition available at Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

7

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 831

The Great Orme limestone headland is designated a Special Area of Conservation

a Site of Special Scientific Interest a local Nature Reserve and has just received

a Green Flag Award for the fifth year running One of the best ways to see it

and make sure you donrsquot miss anything is to take a guided walk Here four

walkers ndash Sian and Roger Dale and Stella and Mike Lehane ndash join guide

Barry Mortlock on an autumn walk especially designed for over 50s

8 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 931

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1031

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

Many events from this time shaped Walesin terms of its landscape culture andheritage Yet the lives and times of the

Princes of Gwynedd and their strugglesagainst their neighbours both within and

beyond Wales remain one of the leastknown epochs in the story of Wales

ldquoThe Princes presided over a period ofdynamic change in the history of Wales

We owe so many of our notions of cultureand history today to this periodrdquo saysHelen Bradley Heritage Tourism Project

Officer for Conwy County BoroughCouncil

Helen is showing me around the newPrinces of Gwynedd exhibition at the

tourist information centre in the centreof Conwy The exhibition tells the story

of the Princes using maps documentsand sound recordings to capture thespirit of the times From a child-friendly

animation of historical soundbitesto information about life in medieval

Gwynedd during their reign the exhibitionacts as a gateway to a series of sites across

Gwynedd Conwy and the SnowdoniaNational Park

ldquoThe Princes were tactical

strategic players on the

European stage reformingtheir lands and creating

strong political alliances

They were not downtrodden

victims cowering in the

mountainsrdquo adds Helen

The Princes ruled over tribal kingdoms

surviving Saxon attacks and theconstruction of Offarsquos Dyke along theWelsh-English border in the 8th century

Viking raids in the 9th century andwidespread power struggles and in-

fighting within Wales itself It was not untilthe 13th century that the Princes finallyrose to predominance first with Llywelyn

Fawr (the Great) and finally his grandsonLlywelyn ap Gruffydd who was the first

to be known by the title Prince of WalesAfter his death the new Welsh values ofnationhood language and law appeared

threatened forever Indeed it wouldnrsquot

be until the rise of Owain Glyndwr in the1400s that Welsh pride would be restored

Helen goes on to show me round thesecond room of the exhibition which is

dedicated to the cultural legacy of theage of the Princes Despite our dark imageof the times this era saw Welsh literature

and art flourish Indeed Rhys ap Gruffyddconvened the first ever bardic tournament

in 1176 a precursor to the modern-dayEisteddfod The Princes commissionedbards to write eulogies and praise poems

which helped to create a mythologyaround their image and ancestry

ITrsquoS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS DYNASTIES IN WELSH

HISTORY THEIR ST ORY SPANS A PERIOD OF TUMULT

AND CONFLICT FROM THE END OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

TO THE WARS OF INDEPENDENCE AGAINST EDWARD I

10 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1131

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

One featured poem recorded in medieval

Welsh is a praise poem for the Princesby Gynddelw Brydydd Mawr It dates

from 1170 ldquoHe is a spear striking on thebattlefield exalted in his praise hellip His spearis blood-stained as he dispenses his angerrdquo

After a brisk walk around the walls a quicklook into Aberconwy House the townrsquosoldest medieval merchantrsquos quartersdating from around 1300 and lunch at

Lrsquos cool little coffee and bookshop I setout to trace the princesrsquo legacy through

the surrounding landscape I take thescenic Conwy Valley railway line down toLlanrwst via Dolgarrog the line celebrating

its 150th birthday in June this year

The route passes through an RSPBwildlife reserve looking back towards

Conwy Castle and Robert Stephensonrsquosengineering-marvel railway bridge beforeheading onwards through a picture-

postcard landscape past Bodnant GardenBy the time we are approaching North

Llanrwst station the Gwydyr Forest islooming into view

ldquoItrsquos a very different experience to exploreConwy by public transport rather than

drivingrdquo says Larry Davies CommunityRail Officer for Arriva Trains Wales whichis working with local bus companies to

connect key locations along the princesrsquotrail ldquoYou get closer to the scenery closer

to history this wayrdquo he smiles

St Grwstrsquos Church dedicated to the 6th

century Celtic saint who founded thechurch in Llanrwst clings to the banks

of the River Conwy Gwydir Chapel thestone-built chapel adjacent to the main

church and dating from 1633 houses the

stone sarcophagus of Llywelyn the Great

who died in 1240 after a reign spanningfour decades

Llywelyn is regarded as one of the greatest

Welsh princes a powerful 13th centuryruler who fought hard to unite his realmand to play a role on the wider stage

concluding treaties with rulers such asPhillip Augustus of France in 1212 Upon

his death his body was buried first in

Conwy and then moved to Maenan

Abbey outside Llanrwst When HenryVIII dissolved the monasteries in the

16th century Llywelynrsquos stone coffinwas moved to the church in Llanrwst His

body was lost but the elaborately carvedsarcophagus survives

11

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1231

Elsewhere along the line other locationshelp bring the story of the Princes to lifeFor example St Michaelrsquos Church at Betws-

y-Coed features a 14th century limestoneeffigy of Gruffydd ap Dafydd Goch

while the stunning castle at Dolwyddelanwas first built by Llywelyn Fawr andsubsequently modified by Edward I Both

sites are open to visitors

For an overview a dedicated website withan interactive map and a new guidebook

to sites associated with the Princes will beavailable from Spring 2013 for visitors tofind out more

Back in Conwy I finish with a visit to the

World Heritage Site of Conwy Castle oneof the cornerstones of Edward Irsquos iron ringof castles A series of new artworks inside

the castle ruins symbolise fragments of thestory and add depth to the human story

behind the facts of the history books

Llywelynrsquos Coronet a crown atop a towerof shields and swords in the Prison Tower

by the artist Rubin Eynon symbolises the

burning spirit of the people while a rusted-iron sculpture of the head of King Edward Iby Gideon Petersen in the Kingrsquos Chamber

is a ghostly presence

Standing on the defensive parapets ofthe castle I look over the estuary towardsthe former castle site at Deganwy a

stronghold of the Princes ransacked andravaged by generations of invaders Below

is the busy harbour quayside ldquoConwy wasa bustling trading port in the late 13th

century with communities of EnglishWelsh and other nationalitiesrdquo says RoyWilliams Head Custodian at Conwy

Castle ldquoThe castle had its own watergateentrance to allow access for people and

supplies directly from shipsrdquo

Roy and I climb the spiral stairs to the

castlersquos chapel the weight of historyaround us to be greeted with a new

installation of stained glass Garrison of

Flowers The three-pane window tells thestory of the bloody fight between the

Princes of Gwynedd and the English crown

ldquoBy presenting the story of

the princes to visitors to the

castle Irsquove learnt that like

much of history the story is

not black and whiterdquo adds

Roy Williams ldquoI hope these

artworks will make people

think again about Welsh

history ndash and maybe inspire

them to find out morerdquo

We sit for a moment in contemplation ona semi-circular pew carved with verses in

Welsh English and French the languagesspoken in the new borough of Conwy in

the 1280s after the Edwardian ConquestIn the fading light of late afternoon oneparticular verse catches my eye

It reads ldquoLet the eye pierce the mirror of

the past ndash historyrsquos shadow phantom inthe glassrdquo

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

D o l w y d d e

l a n C a s t l e

12 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1331

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1431

Mae yna lawer o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn Llandrillo-yn-Rhos Bae Colwyn Towyn a Bae Cinmel Beth am ddilyn Llwybr Treftadaeth

Llandrillo-yn-Rhos gwibio ar hyd y llwybr beicio neu fynd allan ar y mocircr i ddal eich swper Dewch i gwrdd ag anifeiliaid a chreaduriaid ySw Fynydd Gymreig ym Mae Colwyn neu brynu darn gwreiddiol o gelf yn Oriel Gymunedol y Bae Os nad ydi hynny at eich dant beth am

roi ceiniog neu ddwy ar geffyl yn Nhir Prince Towyn neu fynd i ffair Knightly yn Nhowyn i wylio sioe hud a chael gwers neu ddwy yn yrysgol syrcas

R H O S - O N - S E A C O L W Y N B A Y T O W Y N amp K I N M E L B A Y

Set off for no fewer than three hours of historic discovery from the tiny shoreside chapel

of 6th century Saint Trillo just one of 26 sites on the Rhos-on-Sea Heritage Trail Pack apicnic and have lunch on the beach Grab an ice cream Write a postcard Stroll around

the shops Bring a bike and cycle down the prom or hop aboard a charter boat for a spotof sea fishing and catch your supper Then watch a proper puppet show at the 55-year-

old Harlequin Puppet Theatre the UKrsquos very first permanent marionette theatre

from te coas

T O G E T T H E M O S T 3 D

A Y S

A roam around Rhos

14 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1531

Day 1RHOS-ON-SEA

Sea Fishing Trips

from Rhos-on-Sea

01492 541733 or

07721 532731wwwincentivefishingcouk

Harlequin Puppet Theatre

01492 548166wwwpuppetsukcom

Day 2COLWYN BAY

Welsh Mountain Zoo

01492 532938wwwwelshmountainzooorg

Bay Gallery

07909 893254

Parc Eirias01492 577900wwwconwygovuk

Theatr Colwyn

01492 577888wwwtheatrcolwyncouk

Day 3TOWYN amp KINMEL BAY

Adventure PaintballSt George Abergele

01745 361368wwwadventure-companycouk

Tir Prince Towyn

01745 345123wwwtirprincecouk

Knightlyrsquos Funfair Towyn

01745 351112 or 07836 787789

wwwfunfair-hirecom

These are just a fewthings you can get upto in Rhos-on-Sea

Colwyn Bay Towynand Kinmel Bay to

find out more grab a

copy of the EssentialPocket Guide (2013

edition availablefrom Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

See if you can tell a meerkat from a polecat at the Welsh Mountain

Zoo the National Zoo of Wales After meeting the residents have lunchon the grassy slopes and catch a show at Sealions Rock Do a spot of

art appreciation and bag yourself some original artwork at the award-winning community Bay Gallery Go shopping at the market ndash choose

from classic or local farmersrsquo ndash and grab a bargain or the ingredientsfor dinner Take a tour of the town and a trip down memory lane onthe Heritage Trail or spend the afternoon at Parc Eirias on the bowling

green in the park pool or tennis court Finish off the day with a movieor a stage show at Theatr Colwyn the UKrsquos oldest operating cinema

Kick off day 3 with a gentle bike ride and some knockout sea views onthe cycle path from Colwyn Bay Crank up the pace and battle it out

across 69 acres of open woodland at Adventure Paintball AbergeleTake a breather at Pensarnrsquos quiet beach and treat yourself to some

candy floss Then have a flutter and experience the excitement ofAmerican harness racing at Tir Prince Raceway Towyn Finish your

tour with some classic seaside fun at Knightlyrsquos Funfair where youcan watch a magic show take a lesson at the circus skills schoolhave a game of bingo or a round of crazy golf

15

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1631

Conwy is a great place to get back to nature Better still

therersquos always something to see and do whatever the

season - from wild flowers in spring to migrating birds

in autumn Time your visit well and you could be greeted

by the rasping call of Reed warblers or the song of theReed bunting

There are new developments at the Great Orme County Park

and at the RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve this year But away

from the main sites there is also a host of attractions and

back-to-nature experiences at some of the lesser-known

locations managed by Conwy Countryside Service

We highlight some of the best of Conwyrsquos naturalattractions by season

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

Sir Gonwy ydirsquor lle perffaith i ymgolli ym myd natur beth bynnag y tywydd Bydd datblygiadau newydd ym Mharc Gwledig y Gogarth aGwarchodfa Natur Conwy yn denu ymwelwyr irsquor ardal i fwynhau byd natur ar ei orau

Mae Arsyllfa Natur newydd y warchodfa yn agor yn y gwanwyn ac mae disgwyl irsquor gwelliannau i Ganolfan Ymwelwyr y Gogarth fod wedi

eu cwblhau erbyn hynny hefyd Bydd y Maes man ymgynnull yn y warchodfa yn agor yn barod ar gyfer yr hydref arsquor adar mudo

Mae yna hefyd ddigon o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn rhai o safleoedd llai adnabyddus Gwasanaeth Cefn Gwlad Conwy Er enghraifft

llwybr cerdded newydd yng Ngwarchodfa Natur Coed Pwllycrochan ym Mae Colwyn syrsquon eich tywys trwyrsquor coed collddail

Itrsquos in our nature

copyA n d y H a

y r s p b - i m a g e sc

o m

copy E l e

a n o r

B e n t a l l

r s p b

- i m a g e s c o m

copyEleanor Bentall rspb-imagescom

copyAnd y Ha y rsp b-imagescom

16 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1731

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

RSPB CONWY NATURE RESERVE

Among the UKrsquos most popularRSPB reserves with plenty to

see throughout the year fromshorebirds returning in the autumn

to dragonflies in summer plus an

exciting timetable of events whichincludes a New Yearrsquos Day Walk and

International Mud Day in June

01492 584091wwwrspborguk

GREAT ORME COUNTRY

PARK VISITOR CENTRE

Discover the Great Ormersquos history

geology and wildlife and take asneaky peak at the seabird colonies

using the lsquoseabird camerarsquo A rangeof leaflets produced by Conwyrsquos

Countryside Service is available atthe Centre

01492 874151wwwconwygovukgreatorme

PENSYCHNANT CONSERVATION

CENTRE AND NATURE RESERVE

The woodland and heathland of

this nature reserve at the top ofConwyrsquos Sychnant Pass is home

to diverse species of wildlife andis a perfect starting point for awalk to the Carneddau mountains

The Centre itself works withnaturalists and wildlife organisations

and hosts regular events

01492 592595wwwpensychnantcouk

NATURE RESERVES

Conwy Countryside Servicemanages a number of naturereserves with diverse habitats ndash

from woodland to sand dunesndash including the wild landscapes

of Conwy Mountain Bodlondeb

Woods with its many speciesof birds and butterflies andDolwyddelan picnic site wherevolunteers created award-winning

flower beds

wwwconwygovukcountryside

SPRING

The new Jubilee Nature Observatory at

RSPB Conwy opens this spring The straw-bale-built structure overlooks one of the

two lagoons and up the Conwy Valley toSnowdonia Use it to spot birds such as

Water rail (similar to moorhens) hidden in

the reeds plus spring butterflies egrets andGrey heron

ldquoI love walking round the reserve on a spring

dayrdquo says Julian Hughes Reserve ManagerldquoWith birds arriving from Africa wild flowersand insects emerging therersquos something new

every dayrdquo

Improvements to the Great Orme CountryPark Visitor Centre will also be completefor spring with a new weather station and

a digital information point The Great Orme

boasts some 400 species of wild flowersin spring with rock roses one of the mostprevalent on its limestone grassland You canalso spot seabirds on the cliffs and Kashmir

goat kids running wild Look out for thewild flower interpretation chart one of the

centrersquos latest publications

SUMMER

A new viewpoint from RSPB Conwyrsquos Ganol

Trail looking across to Conwy Castle willopen for summer to spot oystercatchersand curlews on the islands in the lagoons

You will also see native wild flowers suchas Birdrsquos foot trefoil a food source for the

Common blue butterfly The Great Ormeheathland meanwhile will be in full bloomwith heather and gorse showering purple

and yellow flowers across the landscape

A perfect walking spot for May or June isthe Mynydd Marian Local Nature Reservea small limestone ridge on the edge of

the village of Llysfaen located betweenColwyn Bay and Abergele The limestone

grassland site boasts stunning coastal views

and a rich patchwork of summer flora andfauna including rare species such as Hoary

rockrose Spring cinquefoil and the Silver-studded blue butterfly

AUTUMN

New developments to the nature reserve

with the next stage of the ConwyConnections project at RSPB Conwy will

be complete for autumn The centrepieceof this will be Y Maes (the village square)

which will offer a newly landscaped central

outdoor meeting place It will also providean elevated view across the reserve to the

Conwy Valley Look across the treetops ateye level with the Goldfinches at play

ldquoThe mix of habitats brings people closerto naturerdquo says Julian Hughes ldquoThe reserve

is alive at this time of year with autumncolours fungus frogs and birdlife on the

moverdquo

Also alive in early autumn is the circular

walk through the Penmaenmawr uplands

exploring ancient historical sites from theJubilee Path to the Druidrsquos Circle whilstwalking through a carpet of mixed pinks andpurples with splashes of yellow from heather

gorse and bilberry

WINTER

Enjoy a winter walk at the Pwllycrochan

Woods Local Nature Reserve a deciduouswoodland above Colwyn Bay where

improvements to the woodland pathand new themed information boards areavailable for walkers amongst the native

and exotic trees Listen out for buzzardsnuthatch great spotted woodpecker and

tawny owls while out rambling the fivecircular woodland trails

ldquoWith sweet chestnut sessile oak andsycamore itrsquos a brilliant place to trudge

through the thick carpet of leaves in theautumnrdquo says Countryside Warden LesleyLawson

Finally the four walks around Llanfairfechan

are also ideal for winter wildlife Route one

through the Glan y Mocircr Elias Local NatureReserve is graced with wigeons grazing the

saltmarsh and wading birds on the adjoiningTraeth Lafan mudflats

17

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1831

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1931

The Green Flag Award Scheme is a

national standard of excellence for parksand green spaces To qualify a greenspace must be a welcoming place which

involves the community The awardtakes into consideration such things as

sustainability conservation and heritage

and recognises the hard work of dedicatedparks staff and community groups This

year we are proudly flying no fewerthan nine prestigious Green Flags from

ornamental flowerbeds paths and seatingat Queenrsquos Gardens Colwyn Bay a relaxedenvironment in an otherwise busy area of

the town to Cae Derw Llandudno Junctionwhich has a sensory garden sculptures a

play area and a place to walk the dogSo far more than 50000 daffodil bulbs have been planted at Llandudnorsquos parksgardens and green bits in a bid to secure the title of Daffodil Capital of Wales

Throughout 2012 school youth and childrenrsquos groups the Councilrsquos parksdepartment and local businesses gathered for mass bulb-planting and fund-raising

events competitions and activities with a lsquodaffometerrsquo gauging planting progressThe first yearrsquos planting goal was met (and bettered) last November and all thehard work is due to pay off this year Visit Llandudno in late winter early spring

to be among the first to see the explosions of bright yellow when thousands uponthousands of daffodils burst into bloom throughout the town

wwwdaffodilcapitalofwalescouk

Wales in Bloom is a national campaign designed to embrace the beauty of

Wales Prizes are awarded annually for the best looking towns and take into

consideration environmentally friendly practices and community involvement aswell as horticultural achievement In 2012 Colwyn Bay took home 1st prize the

Gold Award in the Large Town category for a whopping 11th year running Visitand see whatrsquos growing this year

walesinbloomorguk

G A R D E N S A N D G R E E N S P A C E S

Our Green Flags are flying atWynn Garden Old ColwynQueens Garden Colwyn Bay

Bodlondeb Park ConwyHappy Valley Llandudno

Great Orme Country Park LlandudnoPentre Mawr Park Abergele

Cae Derw Llandudno JunctionLlanrhos Lawn Cemetery LlandudnoBryn Euryn Allotments and Local Nature

Reserve Rhos-on-Sea

wwwconwygovuk

19

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2031

Prsquoun ai a ydych chirsquon anturiwr o fri syrsquon hoffi gwthiorsquoch corff arsquoch calon irsquor eithaf neursquon hoffi ymlacio a chwarae golff gyda thyrsquor clwb gerllaw

i chi gael llymaid mae rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn Llandudno a Sir Gonwy O antur ar dir sych i antur ar y mocircr - beth am roi cynnig arrywbeth newydd Beth am fynd ar siglen pum sedd fwyaf Ewrop yn Treetops Adventure neu os ydych chirsquon ddigon dewr beth am feicio

ar hyd llwybr 28km y Marin yng Nghoed Gwydir Yng Nghonwy mae gan ddringo sgiumlo syrffio barcud a cherdded un peth yn gyffredin -golygfeydd godidog o bob cyfeiriad

A C T I V I T I E S

Whether yoursquore a fully fledged outdoor type who likes nothing betterthan a no-holds-barred adrenaline thrill or prefer to spend your

spare time on the golf course with a club house close at hand therersquossomething to please everyone in Llandudno and Conwy County

Wersquove adventures on dry land and on the water Colwyn Bayrsquos eagerly

awaited Watersports Centre is coming soon but in the meantime whynot try something new Whether itrsquos climbing skiing kitesurfing or just

good old fashioned walking they all have one thing in common here

amazing scenery in every direction

20 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 4: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 431

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 531

G R E A T B R E A K S I N L L A N D U D N O

Hop aboard the vintage tramway which

has been charming passengers since 1902Painstakingly restored to its former glory

itrsquos the only cable-hauled tramway runningon British public roads today and is stillone of our favourite ways to get to the top

of the Great Orme from where on a clearday you can see as far as the Isle of Man

Blackpool and the Lake District

For a quick descent of the Great OrmeLlandudno Ski Slope and SnowboardCentre has a PermaSnow ski slope with

spectacular views over Llandudno Bay andthe longest toboggan run in Britain Open

all year and floodlit on winter eveningsexpert tuition in all kinds of winter sports

is available children from the age of fourcan try skiing and tobogganing while theover tens can have a go at snowboarding

Parents can test their own ski skills orwatch from the sidelines Apreacutes ski food

and drink are served at the Alpine Lodge

Dating back 4000 years (thatrsquos 2000

years before the Roman invasion) anddug out with just stone and bone tools

The Great Orme Ancient Mines are theworldrsquos largest Bronze Age Copper Mines

Since their discovery excavation workhas been slowly uncovering tunnels andsurface landscape and members of the

excavation team are on hand to answeryour questions as you take the self-guided

tour of the tunnels and prehistoric cavern

Walk around Llandudno town centre

and you might notice the woodensculptures of characters from the Alice

in Wonderland stories Creations ofCarmarthen-based sculptor SimonHedger they form part of The Alice Trail

celebrating the townrsquos links with authorLewis Carroll which is due for completion

in 2014 and will feature more than 40points of interest throughout the town

wwwwonderlandcouk

Open all year Bodafon Farm Park is abig working farm where you can meet

and feed the animals Residents includeHighland cattle fallow deer pygmy

goats and a Welsh Boar called Boris who

ploughed an entire field with his noseTake the farm trail and explore on foot

or hitch a ride on the tractor and trailerto make sure you donrsquot miss anything

Running alongside North Shore beach

is the elegant Victorian promenadewith its pastel-painted seafront hotels

Yoursquoll find all the ingredients of a goodold fashioned seaside holiday at Walesrsquolongest pier sticks of rock postcards

and amusement arcades and nearbyProfessor Codmanrsquos Punch and Judy

one of Britainrsquos longest-running shows

PIER PROM AND PUNCH

ALICErsquoS ADVENTURES

FUN ON THE FARM

GOING UP

IN LLANDUDNO

Bring the youngsters a bucket and spadeand head for the beach Wersquove two tochoose from in Llandudno and both

promise a great day out award-winning

and fun-packed North Shore or big andsandy West Shore great for kite-flyersand kite-surfers alike Wersquove many morebeaches along the coast too Build a sand

castle paddle in the sea or if the weatherwonrsquot cooperate take a dip in the indoor

pool at Llandudno Swimming Centre

Sandy Cove Kinmel Bay Seaside

Award (rural) and Green Coast Award

PensarnAbergele Seaside Award

(resort) and Green Coast Award

Llanddulas Green Coast Award

Old Colwyn Seaside Award (rural)and Green Coast Award

Colwyn BayRhos-on-SeaBlue Flag and Seaside Award (resort)

Penrhyn Bay Green Coast Award

Llandudno North Shore Seaside Award (resort)

Conwy Morfa Green Coast Award

Penmaenmawr Seaside Award (resort)

Llanfairfechan Seaside Award (resort)

BEACHES AWARD-WINNING

BEACHES 2012

GOING UNDERGROUND

GOING DOWN

5

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 631

A PEAK AT THE PAST

Discover Llandudnorsquos long and fascinatinghistory from the really ancient to the fairly

recent Llandudno Museum has a regularlychanging programme of temporaryexhibitions and there are many fascinating

artefacts in the permanent collection

too from a footprint on a Roman tile topaintings sculptures furniture and objetdrsquoart from around the world

VINTAGE BUS TOUR

After walking the best way to see theGreat Orme is from a vintage coach as

it winds its way round the limestoneheadlandrsquos four mile toll road The drivetakes an hour and enjoys spectacular views

out to sea along the way as well as lots

of other great things to look out for fromcolonies of seabirds and free-roamingKashmiri goats to the Victorian lighthouseand medieval Church of St Tudno

wwwalpine-travelcouk

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

Those who remember the 1940s will betreated to a nostalgic trip down memory

lane at this living history museum whilethe self-guided tour allows younger visitorsto experience the sights and sounds of

1940s Britain giving an unique glimpse

into what life was like during the SecondWorld War

wwwhomefrontmuseumcouk

G R E A T B R E A K S I N L L A N D U D N O

FOR HISTORY BUFFS

6 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 731

V E N U E C Y M R U

With its diverse programme of events Venue Cymru is among

North Walesrsquo best places to go for a great night out Thereare performances throughout the year ranging from musicals

and drama to pop gigs and stand-up comedy with large-scaleproductions by the likes of Welsh National Opera and Moscow

City Ballet and smaller shows by local theatre companies Hereare a few of this yearrsquos highlights for full details of whatrsquos on in2013 visit wwwvenuecymrucouk

22 FEBRUARY Phil Cool ndash A Comedy Legend

17 MARCH BBC National Orchestra of Wales

ndash Sibelius Mozart Stravinskyand more

13 15 16 MARCH Welsh National Opera ndashPuccinirsquos Madame Butterfly

25-30 MARCH Agatha Christiersquos The Mousetrap

ndash Diamond Anniversary Tour

4-6 APRIL The Importance of Being Earnest

16-20 APRIL James and the Giant Peach

7-11 MAY Sleeping Beauty on Ice

19 MAY Micky Flanagan ndash 2013

12-13 JUNE Bill Bailey ndash Qualmpeddler2 AUGUST Jimmy Carr ndash Gagging Order

14 -15 OCTOBER Jason Manford

M O S T Y N

Described by The Guardian as lsquoone of the most adventurous

contemporary art venues in the UKrsquo MOSTYN shows regularlychanging exhibitions of international contemporary art

Housed in a Grade II-listed building with impressive Victorianfaccedilade and gold spire MOSTYN began life as the worldrsquos first

gallery for women artists Itrsquos still a great place to discoverstimulating art today and alongside the work displayed acrosssix gallery spaces yoursquoll find a shop selling contemporary craft

by local national and international makers and a Cafeacute whereyou can enjoy locally-baked cakes fresh coffee and a menu of

exciting dishes cooked to order

G R E A T B R E A K S I N L L A N D U D N O

F O R T H C O M I N G E V E N T S A T MO S T Y N

From January 2013 lsquoMOSTYN Open 18rsquoThis the 18th Open exhibition features work by artists fromhome and abroad with a pound10000 prize and an additionalpound1000 prize to the artist who receives the most votes from

visitors to the exhibition

From April 2013 lsquoYOUrsquo (plus solo artist shows)Bringing together the work of five international artists thisexhibition includes pieces that require the direct involvement

of the viewer

From July 2013 lsquoDear Portraitrsquo (plus solo artist shows)This exhibition looks at portraiture and aims to update andrenew its relevance in todayrsquos visual arts

From October 2013 lsquoWomenrsquos Art Societyrsquo(plus solo artist shows)Part of a series of shows about the buildingrsquos heritage this

exhibition explores the origins of MOSTYN as an exhibition

space for women previously excluded from local art societieson the basis of their gender

To find out more visit wwwmostynorg

To find out more about all theother great things to see and do inLlandudno grab yourself a copy of

the Essential Pocket Guide (2013edition available at Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

7

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 831

The Great Orme limestone headland is designated a Special Area of Conservation

a Site of Special Scientific Interest a local Nature Reserve and has just received

a Green Flag Award for the fifth year running One of the best ways to see it

and make sure you donrsquot miss anything is to take a guided walk Here four

walkers ndash Sian and Roger Dale and Stella and Mike Lehane ndash join guide

Barry Mortlock on an autumn walk especially designed for over 50s

8 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 931

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1031

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

Many events from this time shaped Walesin terms of its landscape culture andheritage Yet the lives and times of the

Princes of Gwynedd and their strugglesagainst their neighbours both within and

beyond Wales remain one of the leastknown epochs in the story of Wales

ldquoThe Princes presided over a period ofdynamic change in the history of Wales

We owe so many of our notions of cultureand history today to this periodrdquo saysHelen Bradley Heritage Tourism Project

Officer for Conwy County BoroughCouncil

Helen is showing me around the newPrinces of Gwynedd exhibition at the

tourist information centre in the centreof Conwy The exhibition tells the story

of the Princes using maps documentsand sound recordings to capture thespirit of the times From a child-friendly

animation of historical soundbitesto information about life in medieval

Gwynedd during their reign the exhibitionacts as a gateway to a series of sites across

Gwynedd Conwy and the SnowdoniaNational Park

ldquoThe Princes were tactical

strategic players on the

European stage reformingtheir lands and creating

strong political alliances

They were not downtrodden

victims cowering in the

mountainsrdquo adds Helen

The Princes ruled over tribal kingdoms

surviving Saxon attacks and theconstruction of Offarsquos Dyke along theWelsh-English border in the 8th century

Viking raids in the 9th century andwidespread power struggles and in-

fighting within Wales itself It was not untilthe 13th century that the Princes finallyrose to predominance first with Llywelyn

Fawr (the Great) and finally his grandsonLlywelyn ap Gruffydd who was the first

to be known by the title Prince of WalesAfter his death the new Welsh values ofnationhood language and law appeared

threatened forever Indeed it wouldnrsquot

be until the rise of Owain Glyndwr in the1400s that Welsh pride would be restored

Helen goes on to show me round thesecond room of the exhibition which is

dedicated to the cultural legacy of theage of the Princes Despite our dark imageof the times this era saw Welsh literature

and art flourish Indeed Rhys ap Gruffyddconvened the first ever bardic tournament

in 1176 a precursor to the modern-dayEisteddfod The Princes commissionedbards to write eulogies and praise poems

which helped to create a mythologyaround their image and ancestry

ITrsquoS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS DYNASTIES IN WELSH

HISTORY THEIR ST ORY SPANS A PERIOD OF TUMULT

AND CONFLICT FROM THE END OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

TO THE WARS OF INDEPENDENCE AGAINST EDWARD I

10 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1131

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

One featured poem recorded in medieval

Welsh is a praise poem for the Princesby Gynddelw Brydydd Mawr It dates

from 1170 ldquoHe is a spear striking on thebattlefield exalted in his praise hellip His spearis blood-stained as he dispenses his angerrdquo

After a brisk walk around the walls a quicklook into Aberconwy House the townrsquosoldest medieval merchantrsquos quartersdating from around 1300 and lunch at

Lrsquos cool little coffee and bookshop I setout to trace the princesrsquo legacy through

the surrounding landscape I take thescenic Conwy Valley railway line down toLlanrwst via Dolgarrog the line celebrating

its 150th birthday in June this year

The route passes through an RSPBwildlife reserve looking back towards

Conwy Castle and Robert Stephensonrsquosengineering-marvel railway bridge beforeheading onwards through a picture-

postcard landscape past Bodnant GardenBy the time we are approaching North

Llanrwst station the Gwydyr Forest islooming into view

ldquoItrsquos a very different experience to exploreConwy by public transport rather than

drivingrdquo says Larry Davies CommunityRail Officer for Arriva Trains Wales whichis working with local bus companies to

connect key locations along the princesrsquotrail ldquoYou get closer to the scenery closer

to history this wayrdquo he smiles

St Grwstrsquos Church dedicated to the 6th

century Celtic saint who founded thechurch in Llanrwst clings to the banks

of the River Conwy Gwydir Chapel thestone-built chapel adjacent to the main

church and dating from 1633 houses the

stone sarcophagus of Llywelyn the Great

who died in 1240 after a reign spanningfour decades

Llywelyn is regarded as one of the greatest

Welsh princes a powerful 13th centuryruler who fought hard to unite his realmand to play a role on the wider stage

concluding treaties with rulers such asPhillip Augustus of France in 1212 Upon

his death his body was buried first in

Conwy and then moved to Maenan

Abbey outside Llanrwst When HenryVIII dissolved the monasteries in the

16th century Llywelynrsquos stone coffinwas moved to the church in Llanrwst His

body was lost but the elaborately carvedsarcophagus survives

11

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1231

Elsewhere along the line other locationshelp bring the story of the Princes to lifeFor example St Michaelrsquos Church at Betws-

y-Coed features a 14th century limestoneeffigy of Gruffydd ap Dafydd Goch

while the stunning castle at Dolwyddelanwas first built by Llywelyn Fawr andsubsequently modified by Edward I Both

sites are open to visitors

For an overview a dedicated website withan interactive map and a new guidebook

to sites associated with the Princes will beavailable from Spring 2013 for visitors tofind out more

Back in Conwy I finish with a visit to the

World Heritage Site of Conwy Castle oneof the cornerstones of Edward Irsquos iron ringof castles A series of new artworks inside

the castle ruins symbolise fragments of thestory and add depth to the human story

behind the facts of the history books

Llywelynrsquos Coronet a crown atop a towerof shields and swords in the Prison Tower

by the artist Rubin Eynon symbolises the

burning spirit of the people while a rusted-iron sculpture of the head of King Edward Iby Gideon Petersen in the Kingrsquos Chamber

is a ghostly presence

Standing on the defensive parapets ofthe castle I look over the estuary towardsthe former castle site at Deganwy a

stronghold of the Princes ransacked andravaged by generations of invaders Below

is the busy harbour quayside ldquoConwy wasa bustling trading port in the late 13th

century with communities of EnglishWelsh and other nationalitiesrdquo says RoyWilliams Head Custodian at Conwy

Castle ldquoThe castle had its own watergateentrance to allow access for people and

supplies directly from shipsrdquo

Roy and I climb the spiral stairs to the

castlersquos chapel the weight of historyaround us to be greeted with a new

installation of stained glass Garrison of

Flowers The three-pane window tells thestory of the bloody fight between the

Princes of Gwynedd and the English crown

ldquoBy presenting the story of

the princes to visitors to the

castle Irsquove learnt that like

much of history the story is

not black and whiterdquo adds

Roy Williams ldquoI hope these

artworks will make people

think again about Welsh

history ndash and maybe inspire

them to find out morerdquo

We sit for a moment in contemplation ona semi-circular pew carved with verses in

Welsh English and French the languagesspoken in the new borough of Conwy in

the 1280s after the Edwardian ConquestIn the fading light of late afternoon oneparticular verse catches my eye

It reads ldquoLet the eye pierce the mirror of

the past ndash historyrsquos shadow phantom inthe glassrdquo

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

D o l w y d d e

l a n C a s t l e

12 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1331

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1431

Mae yna lawer o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn Llandrillo-yn-Rhos Bae Colwyn Towyn a Bae Cinmel Beth am ddilyn Llwybr Treftadaeth

Llandrillo-yn-Rhos gwibio ar hyd y llwybr beicio neu fynd allan ar y mocircr i ddal eich swper Dewch i gwrdd ag anifeiliaid a chreaduriaid ySw Fynydd Gymreig ym Mae Colwyn neu brynu darn gwreiddiol o gelf yn Oriel Gymunedol y Bae Os nad ydi hynny at eich dant beth am

roi ceiniog neu ddwy ar geffyl yn Nhir Prince Towyn neu fynd i ffair Knightly yn Nhowyn i wylio sioe hud a chael gwers neu ddwy yn yrysgol syrcas

R H O S - O N - S E A C O L W Y N B A Y T O W Y N amp K I N M E L B A Y

Set off for no fewer than three hours of historic discovery from the tiny shoreside chapel

of 6th century Saint Trillo just one of 26 sites on the Rhos-on-Sea Heritage Trail Pack apicnic and have lunch on the beach Grab an ice cream Write a postcard Stroll around

the shops Bring a bike and cycle down the prom or hop aboard a charter boat for a spotof sea fishing and catch your supper Then watch a proper puppet show at the 55-year-

old Harlequin Puppet Theatre the UKrsquos very first permanent marionette theatre

from te coas

T O G E T T H E M O S T 3 D

A Y S

A roam around Rhos

14 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1531

Day 1RHOS-ON-SEA

Sea Fishing Trips

from Rhos-on-Sea

01492 541733 or

07721 532731wwwincentivefishingcouk

Harlequin Puppet Theatre

01492 548166wwwpuppetsukcom

Day 2COLWYN BAY

Welsh Mountain Zoo

01492 532938wwwwelshmountainzooorg

Bay Gallery

07909 893254

Parc Eirias01492 577900wwwconwygovuk

Theatr Colwyn

01492 577888wwwtheatrcolwyncouk

Day 3TOWYN amp KINMEL BAY

Adventure PaintballSt George Abergele

01745 361368wwwadventure-companycouk

Tir Prince Towyn

01745 345123wwwtirprincecouk

Knightlyrsquos Funfair Towyn

01745 351112 or 07836 787789

wwwfunfair-hirecom

These are just a fewthings you can get upto in Rhos-on-Sea

Colwyn Bay Towynand Kinmel Bay to

find out more grab a

copy of the EssentialPocket Guide (2013

edition availablefrom Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

See if you can tell a meerkat from a polecat at the Welsh Mountain

Zoo the National Zoo of Wales After meeting the residents have lunchon the grassy slopes and catch a show at Sealions Rock Do a spot of

art appreciation and bag yourself some original artwork at the award-winning community Bay Gallery Go shopping at the market ndash choose

from classic or local farmersrsquo ndash and grab a bargain or the ingredientsfor dinner Take a tour of the town and a trip down memory lane onthe Heritage Trail or spend the afternoon at Parc Eirias on the bowling

green in the park pool or tennis court Finish off the day with a movieor a stage show at Theatr Colwyn the UKrsquos oldest operating cinema

Kick off day 3 with a gentle bike ride and some knockout sea views onthe cycle path from Colwyn Bay Crank up the pace and battle it out

across 69 acres of open woodland at Adventure Paintball AbergeleTake a breather at Pensarnrsquos quiet beach and treat yourself to some

candy floss Then have a flutter and experience the excitement ofAmerican harness racing at Tir Prince Raceway Towyn Finish your

tour with some classic seaside fun at Knightlyrsquos Funfair where youcan watch a magic show take a lesson at the circus skills schoolhave a game of bingo or a round of crazy golf

15

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1631

Conwy is a great place to get back to nature Better still

therersquos always something to see and do whatever the

season - from wild flowers in spring to migrating birds

in autumn Time your visit well and you could be greeted

by the rasping call of Reed warblers or the song of theReed bunting

There are new developments at the Great Orme County Park

and at the RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve this year But away

from the main sites there is also a host of attractions and

back-to-nature experiences at some of the lesser-known

locations managed by Conwy Countryside Service

We highlight some of the best of Conwyrsquos naturalattractions by season

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

Sir Gonwy ydirsquor lle perffaith i ymgolli ym myd natur beth bynnag y tywydd Bydd datblygiadau newydd ym Mharc Gwledig y Gogarth aGwarchodfa Natur Conwy yn denu ymwelwyr irsquor ardal i fwynhau byd natur ar ei orau

Mae Arsyllfa Natur newydd y warchodfa yn agor yn y gwanwyn ac mae disgwyl irsquor gwelliannau i Ganolfan Ymwelwyr y Gogarth fod wedi

eu cwblhau erbyn hynny hefyd Bydd y Maes man ymgynnull yn y warchodfa yn agor yn barod ar gyfer yr hydref arsquor adar mudo

Mae yna hefyd ddigon o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn rhai o safleoedd llai adnabyddus Gwasanaeth Cefn Gwlad Conwy Er enghraifft

llwybr cerdded newydd yng Ngwarchodfa Natur Coed Pwllycrochan ym Mae Colwyn syrsquon eich tywys trwyrsquor coed collddail

Itrsquos in our nature

copyA n d y H a

y r s p b - i m a g e sc

o m

copy E l e

a n o r

B e n t a l l

r s p b

- i m a g e s c o m

copyEleanor Bentall rspb-imagescom

copyAnd y Ha y rsp b-imagescom

16 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1731

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

RSPB CONWY NATURE RESERVE

Among the UKrsquos most popularRSPB reserves with plenty to

see throughout the year fromshorebirds returning in the autumn

to dragonflies in summer plus an

exciting timetable of events whichincludes a New Yearrsquos Day Walk and

International Mud Day in June

01492 584091wwwrspborguk

GREAT ORME COUNTRY

PARK VISITOR CENTRE

Discover the Great Ormersquos history

geology and wildlife and take asneaky peak at the seabird colonies

using the lsquoseabird camerarsquo A rangeof leaflets produced by Conwyrsquos

Countryside Service is available atthe Centre

01492 874151wwwconwygovukgreatorme

PENSYCHNANT CONSERVATION

CENTRE AND NATURE RESERVE

The woodland and heathland of

this nature reserve at the top ofConwyrsquos Sychnant Pass is home

to diverse species of wildlife andis a perfect starting point for awalk to the Carneddau mountains

The Centre itself works withnaturalists and wildlife organisations

and hosts regular events

01492 592595wwwpensychnantcouk

NATURE RESERVES

Conwy Countryside Servicemanages a number of naturereserves with diverse habitats ndash

from woodland to sand dunesndash including the wild landscapes

of Conwy Mountain Bodlondeb

Woods with its many speciesof birds and butterflies andDolwyddelan picnic site wherevolunteers created award-winning

flower beds

wwwconwygovukcountryside

SPRING

The new Jubilee Nature Observatory at

RSPB Conwy opens this spring The straw-bale-built structure overlooks one of the

two lagoons and up the Conwy Valley toSnowdonia Use it to spot birds such as

Water rail (similar to moorhens) hidden in

the reeds plus spring butterflies egrets andGrey heron

ldquoI love walking round the reserve on a spring

dayrdquo says Julian Hughes Reserve ManagerldquoWith birds arriving from Africa wild flowersand insects emerging therersquos something new

every dayrdquo

Improvements to the Great Orme CountryPark Visitor Centre will also be completefor spring with a new weather station and

a digital information point The Great Orme

boasts some 400 species of wild flowersin spring with rock roses one of the mostprevalent on its limestone grassland You canalso spot seabirds on the cliffs and Kashmir

goat kids running wild Look out for thewild flower interpretation chart one of the

centrersquos latest publications

SUMMER

A new viewpoint from RSPB Conwyrsquos Ganol

Trail looking across to Conwy Castle willopen for summer to spot oystercatchersand curlews on the islands in the lagoons

You will also see native wild flowers suchas Birdrsquos foot trefoil a food source for the

Common blue butterfly The Great Ormeheathland meanwhile will be in full bloomwith heather and gorse showering purple

and yellow flowers across the landscape

A perfect walking spot for May or June isthe Mynydd Marian Local Nature Reservea small limestone ridge on the edge of

the village of Llysfaen located betweenColwyn Bay and Abergele The limestone

grassland site boasts stunning coastal views

and a rich patchwork of summer flora andfauna including rare species such as Hoary

rockrose Spring cinquefoil and the Silver-studded blue butterfly

AUTUMN

New developments to the nature reserve

with the next stage of the ConwyConnections project at RSPB Conwy will

be complete for autumn The centrepieceof this will be Y Maes (the village square)

which will offer a newly landscaped central

outdoor meeting place It will also providean elevated view across the reserve to the

Conwy Valley Look across the treetops ateye level with the Goldfinches at play

ldquoThe mix of habitats brings people closerto naturerdquo says Julian Hughes ldquoThe reserve

is alive at this time of year with autumncolours fungus frogs and birdlife on the

moverdquo

Also alive in early autumn is the circular

walk through the Penmaenmawr uplands

exploring ancient historical sites from theJubilee Path to the Druidrsquos Circle whilstwalking through a carpet of mixed pinks andpurples with splashes of yellow from heather

gorse and bilberry

WINTER

Enjoy a winter walk at the Pwllycrochan

Woods Local Nature Reserve a deciduouswoodland above Colwyn Bay where

improvements to the woodland pathand new themed information boards areavailable for walkers amongst the native

and exotic trees Listen out for buzzardsnuthatch great spotted woodpecker and

tawny owls while out rambling the fivecircular woodland trails

ldquoWith sweet chestnut sessile oak andsycamore itrsquos a brilliant place to trudge

through the thick carpet of leaves in theautumnrdquo says Countryside Warden LesleyLawson

Finally the four walks around Llanfairfechan

are also ideal for winter wildlife Route one

through the Glan y Mocircr Elias Local NatureReserve is graced with wigeons grazing the

saltmarsh and wading birds on the adjoiningTraeth Lafan mudflats

17

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1831

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1931

The Green Flag Award Scheme is a

national standard of excellence for parksand green spaces To qualify a greenspace must be a welcoming place which

involves the community The awardtakes into consideration such things as

sustainability conservation and heritage

and recognises the hard work of dedicatedparks staff and community groups This

year we are proudly flying no fewerthan nine prestigious Green Flags from

ornamental flowerbeds paths and seatingat Queenrsquos Gardens Colwyn Bay a relaxedenvironment in an otherwise busy area of

the town to Cae Derw Llandudno Junctionwhich has a sensory garden sculptures a

play area and a place to walk the dogSo far more than 50000 daffodil bulbs have been planted at Llandudnorsquos parksgardens and green bits in a bid to secure the title of Daffodil Capital of Wales

Throughout 2012 school youth and childrenrsquos groups the Councilrsquos parksdepartment and local businesses gathered for mass bulb-planting and fund-raising

events competitions and activities with a lsquodaffometerrsquo gauging planting progressThe first yearrsquos planting goal was met (and bettered) last November and all thehard work is due to pay off this year Visit Llandudno in late winter early spring

to be among the first to see the explosions of bright yellow when thousands uponthousands of daffodils burst into bloom throughout the town

wwwdaffodilcapitalofwalescouk

Wales in Bloom is a national campaign designed to embrace the beauty of

Wales Prizes are awarded annually for the best looking towns and take into

consideration environmentally friendly practices and community involvement aswell as horticultural achievement In 2012 Colwyn Bay took home 1st prize the

Gold Award in the Large Town category for a whopping 11th year running Visitand see whatrsquos growing this year

walesinbloomorguk

G A R D E N S A N D G R E E N S P A C E S

Our Green Flags are flying atWynn Garden Old ColwynQueens Garden Colwyn Bay

Bodlondeb Park ConwyHappy Valley Llandudno

Great Orme Country Park LlandudnoPentre Mawr Park Abergele

Cae Derw Llandudno JunctionLlanrhos Lawn Cemetery LlandudnoBryn Euryn Allotments and Local Nature

Reserve Rhos-on-Sea

wwwconwygovuk

19

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2031

Prsquoun ai a ydych chirsquon anturiwr o fri syrsquon hoffi gwthiorsquoch corff arsquoch calon irsquor eithaf neursquon hoffi ymlacio a chwarae golff gyda thyrsquor clwb gerllaw

i chi gael llymaid mae rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn Llandudno a Sir Gonwy O antur ar dir sych i antur ar y mocircr - beth am roi cynnig arrywbeth newydd Beth am fynd ar siglen pum sedd fwyaf Ewrop yn Treetops Adventure neu os ydych chirsquon ddigon dewr beth am feicio

ar hyd llwybr 28km y Marin yng Nghoed Gwydir Yng Nghonwy mae gan ddringo sgiumlo syrffio barcud a cherdded un peth yn gyffredin -golygfeydd godidog o bob cyfeiriad

A C T I V I T I E S

Whether yoursquore a fully fledged outdoor type who likes nothing betterthan a no-holds-barred adrenaline thrill or prefer to spend your

spare time on the golf course with a club house close at hand therersquossomething to please everyone in Llandudno and Conwy County

Wersquove adventures on dry land and on the water Colwyn Bayrsquos eagerly

awaited Watersports Centre is coming soon but in the meantime whynot try something new Whether itrsquos climbing skiing kitesurfing or just

good old fashioned walking they all have one thing in common here

amazing scenery in every direction

20 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 5: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 531

G R E A T B R E A K S I N L L A N D U D N O

Hop aboard the vintage tramway which

has been charming passengers since 1902Painstakingly restored to its former glory

itrsquos the only cable-hauled tramway runningon British public roads today and is stillone of our favourite ways to get to the top

of the Great Orme from where on a clearday you can see as far as the Isle of Man

Blackpool and the Lake District

For a quick descent of the Great OrmeLlandudno Ski Slope and SnowboardCentre has a PermaSnow ski slope with

spectacular views over Llandudno Bay andthe longest toboggan run in Britain Open

all year and floodlit on winter eveningsexpert tuition in all kinds of winter sports

is available children from the age of fourcan try skiing and tobogganing while theover tens can have a go at snowboarding

Parents can test their own ski skills orwatch from the sidelines Apreacutes ski food

and drink are served at the Alpine Lodge

Dating back 4000 years (thatrsquos 2000

years before the Roman invasion) anddug out with just stone and bone tools

The Great Orme Ancient Mines are theworldrsquos largest Bronze Age Copper Mines

Since their discovery excavation workhas been slowly uncovering tunnels andsurface landscape and members of the

excavation team are on hand to answeryour questions as you take the self-guided

tour of the tunnels and prehistoric cavern

Walk around Llandudno town centre

and you might notice the woodensculptures of characters from the Alice

in Wonderland stories Creations ofCarmarthen-based sculptor SimonHedger they form part of The Alice Trail

celebrating the townrsquos links with authorLewis Carroll which is due for completion

in 2014 and will feature more than 40points of interest throughout the town

wwwwonderlandcouk

Open all year Bodafon Farm Park is abig working farm where you can meet

and feed the animals Residents includeHighland cattle fallow deer pygmy

goats and a Welsh Boar called Boris who

ploughed an entire field with his noseTake the farm trail and explore on foot

or hitch a ride on the tractor and trailerto make sure you donrsquot miss anything

Running alongside North Shore beach

is the elegant Victorian promenadewith its pastel-painted seafront hotels

Yoursquoll find all the ingredients of a goodold fashioned seaside holiday at Walesrsquolongest pier sticks of rock postcards

and amusement arcades and nearbyProfessor Codmanrsquos Punch and Judy

one of Britainrsquos longest-running shows

PIER PROM AND PUNCH

ALICErsquoS ADVENTURES

FUN ON THE FARM

GOING UP

IN LLANDUDNO

Bring the youngsters a bucket and spadeand head for the beach Wersquove two tochoose from in Llandudno and both

promise a great day out award-winning

and fun-packed North Shore or big andsandy West Shore great for kite-flyersand kite-surfers alike Wersquove many morebeaches along the coast too Build a sand

castle paddle in the sea or if the weatherwonrsquot cooperate take a dip in the indoor

pool at Llandudno Swimming Centre

Sandy Cove Kinmel Bay Seaside

Award (rural) and Green Coast Award

PensarnAbergele Seaside Award

(resort) and Green Coast Award

Llanddulas Green Coast Award

Old Colwyn Seaside Award (rural)and Green Coast Award

Colwyn BayRhos-on-SeaBlue Flag and Seaside Award (resort)

Penrhyn Bay Green Coast Award

Llandudno North Shore Seaside Award (resort)

Conwy Morfa Green Coast Award

Penmaenmawr Seaside Award (resort)

Llanfairfechan Seaside Award (resort)

BEACHES AWARD-WINNING

BEACHES 2012

GOING UNDERGROUND

GOING DOWN

5

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 631

A PEAK AT THE PAST

Discover Llandudnorsquos long and fascinatinghistory from the really ancient to the fairly

recent Llandudno Museum has a regularlychanging programme of temporaryexhibitions and there are many fascinating

artefacts in the permanent collection

too from a footprint on a Roman tile topaintings sculptures furniture and objetdrsquoart from around the world

VINTAGE BUS TOUR

After walking the best way to see theGreat Orme is from a vintage coach as

it winds its way round the limestoneheadlandrsquos four mile toll road The drivetakes an hour and enjoys spectacular views

out to sea along the way as well as lots

of other great things to look out for fromcolonies of seabirds and free-roamingKashmiri goats to the Victorian lighthouseand medieval Church of St Tudno

wwwalpine-travelcouk

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

Those who remember the 1940s will betreated to a nostalgic trip down memory

lane at this living history museum whilethe self-guided tour allows younger visitorsto experience the sights and sounds of

1940s Britain giving an unique glimpse

into what life was like during the SecondWorld War

wwwhomefrontmuseumcouk

G R E A T B R E A K S I N L L A N D U D N O

FOR HISTORY BUFFS

6 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 731

V E N U E C Y M R U

With its diverse programme of events Venue Cymru is among

North Walesrsquo best places to go for a great night out Thereare performances throughout the year ranging from musicals

and drama to pop gigs and stand-up comedy with large-scaleproductions by the likes of Welsh National Opera and Moscow

City Ballet and smaller shows by local theatre companies Hereare a few of this yearrsquos highlights for full details of whatrsquos on in2013 visit wwwvenuecymrucouk

22 FEBRUARY Phil Cool ndash A Comedy Legend

17 MARCH BBC National Orchestra of Wales

ndash Sibelius Mozart Stravinskyand more

13 15 16 MARCH Welsh National Opera ndashPuccinirsquos Madame Butterfly

25-30 MARCH Agatha Christiersquos The Mousetrap

ndash Diamond Anniversary Tour

4-6 APRIL The Importance of Being Earnest

16-20 APRIL James and the Giant Peach

7-11 MAY Sleeping Beauty on Ice

19 MAY Micky Flanagan ndash 2013

12-13 JUNE Bill Bailey ndash Qualmpeddler2 AUGUST Jimmy Carr ndash Gagging Order

14 -15 OCTOBER Jason Manford

M O S T Y N

Described by The Guardian as lsquoone of the most adventurous

contemporary art venues in the UKrsquo MOSTYN shows regularlychanging exhibitions of international contemporary art

Housed in a Grade II-listed building with impressive Victorianfaccedilade and gold spire MOSTYN began life as the worldrsquos first

gallery for women artists Itrsquos still a great place to discoverstimulating art today and alongside the work displayed acrosssix gallery spaces yoursquoll find a shop selling contemporary craft

by local national and international makers and a Cafeacute whereyou can enjoy locally-baked cakes fresh coffee and a menu of

exciting dishes cooked to order

G R E A T B R E A K S I N L L A N D U D N O

F O R T H C O M I N G E V E N T S A T MO S T Y N

From January 2013 lsquoMOSTYN Open 18rsquoThis the 18th Open exhibition features work by artists fromhome and abroad with a pound10000 prize and an additionalpound1000 prize to the artist who receives the most votes from

visitors to the exhibition

From April 2013 lsquoYOUrsquo (plus solo artist shows)Bringing together the work of five international artists thisexhibition includes pieces that require the direct involvement

of the viewer

From July 2013 lsquoDear Portraitrsquo (plus solo artist shows)This exhibition looks at portraiture and aims to update andrenew its relevance in todayrsquos visual arts

From October 2013 lsquoWomenrsquos Art Societyrsquo(plus solo artist shows)Part of a series of shows about the buildingrsquos heritage this

exhibition explores the origins of MOSTYN as an exhibition

space for women previously excluded from local art societieson the basis of their gender

To find out more visit wwwmostynorg

To find out more about all theother great things to see and do inLlandudno grab yourself a copy of

the Essential Pocket Guide (2013edition available at Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

7

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 831

The Great Orme limestone headland is designated a Special Area of Conservation

a Site of Special Scientific Interest a local Nature Reserve and has just received

a Green Flag Award for the fifth year running One of the best ways to see it

and make sure you donrsquot miss anything is to take a guided walk Here four

walkers ndash Sian and Roger Dale and Stella and Mike Lehane ndash join guide

Barry Mortlock on an autumn walk especially designed for over 50s

8 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 931

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1031

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

Many events from this time shaped Walesin terms of its landscape culture andheritage Yet the lives and times of the

Princes of Gwynedd and their strugglesagainst their neighbours both within and

beyond Wales remain one of the leastknown epochs in the story of Wales

ldquoThe Princes presided over a period ofdynamic change in the history of Wales

We owe so many of our notions of cultureand history today to this periodrdquo saysHelen Bradley Heritage Tourism Project

Officer for Conwy County BoroughCouncil

Helen is showing me around the newPrinces of Gwynedd exhibition at the

tourist information centre in the centreof Conwy The exhibition tells the story

of the Princes using maps documentsand sound recordings to capture thespirit of the times From a child-friendly

animation of historical soundbitesto information about life in medieval

Gwynedd during their reign the exhibitionacts as a gateway to a series of sites across

Gwynedd Conwy and the SnowdoniaNational Park

ldquoThe Princes were tactical

strategic players on the

European stage reformingtheir lands and creating

strong political alliances

They were not downtrodden

victims cowering in the

mountainsrdquo adds Helen

The Princes ruled over tribal kingdoms

surviving Saxon attacks and theconstruction of Offarsquos Dyke along theWelsh-English border in the 8th century

Viking raids in the 9th century andwidespread power struggles and in-

fighting within Wales itself It was not untilthe 13th century that the Princes finallyrose to predominance first with Llywelyn

Fawr (the Great) and finally his grandsonLlywelyn ap Gruffydd who was the first

to be known by the title Prince of WalesAfter his death the new Welsh values ofnationhood language and law appeared

threatened forever Indeed it wouldnrsquot

be until the rise of Owain Glyndwr in the1400s that Welsh pride would be restored

Helen goes on to show me round thesecond room of the exhibition which is

dedicated to the cultural legacy of theage of the Princes Despite our dark imageof the times this era saw Welsh literature

and art flourish Indeed Rhys ap Gruffyddconvened the first ever bardic tournament

in 1176 a precursor to the modern-dayEisteddfod The Princes commissionedbards to write eulogies and praise poems

which helped to create a mythologyaround their image and ancestry

ITrsquoS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS DYNASTIES IN WELSH

HISTORY THEIR ST ORY SPANS A PERIOD OF TUMULT

AND CONFLICT FROM THE END OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

TO THE WARS OF INDEPENDENCE AGAINST EDWARD I

10 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1131

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

One featured poem recorded in medieval

Welsh is a praise poem for the Princesby Gynddelw Brydydd Mawr It dates

from 1170 ldquoHe is a spear striking on thebattlefield exalted in his praise hellip His spearis blood-stained as he dispenses his angerrdquo

After a brisk walk around the walls a quicklook into Aberconwy House the townrsquosoldest medieval merchantrsquos quartersdating from around 1300 and lunch at

Lrsquos cool little coffee and bookshop I setout to trace the princesrsquo legacy through

the surrounding landscape I take thescenic Conwy Valley railway line down toLlanrwst via Dolgarrog the line celebrating

its 150th birthday in June this year

The route passes through an RSPBwildlife reserve looking back towards

Conwy Castle and Robert Stephensonrsquosengineering-marvel railway bridge beforeheading onwards through a picture-

postcard landscape past Bodnant GardenBy the time we are approaching North

Llanrwst station the Gwydyr Forest islooming into view

ldquoItrsquos a very different experience to exploreConwy by public transport rather than

drivingrdquo says Larry Davies CommunityRail Officer for Arriva Trains Wales whichis working with local bus companies to

connect key locations along the princesrsquotrail ldquoYou get closer to the scenery closer

to history this wayrdquo he smiles

St Grwstrsquos Church dedicated to the 6th

century Celtic saint who founded thechurch in Llanrwst clings to the banks

of the River Conwy Gwydir Chapel thestone-built chapel adjacent to the main

church and dating from 1633 houses the

stone sarcophagus of Llywelyn the Great

who died in 1240 after a reign spanningfour decades

Llywelyn is regarded as one of the greatest

Welsh princes a powerful 13th centuryruler who fought hard to unite his realmand to play a role on the wider stage

concluding treaties with rulers such asPhillip Augustus of France in 1212 Upon

his death his body was buried first in

Conwy and then moved to Maenan

Abbey outside Llanrwst When HenryVIII dissolved the monasteries in the

16th century Llywelynrsquos stone coffinwas moved to the church in Llanrwst His

body was lost but the elaborately carvedsarcophagus survives

11

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1231

Elsewhere along the line other locationshelp bring the story of the Princes to lifeFor example St Michaelrsquos Church at Betws-

y-Coed features a 14th century limestoneeffigy of Gruffydd ap Dafydd Goch

while the stunning castle at Dolwyddelanwas first built by Llywelyn Fawr andsubsequently modified by Edward I Both

sites are open to visitors

For an overview a dedicated website withan interactive map and a new guidebook

to sites associated with the Princes will beavailable from Spring 2013 for visitors tofind out more

Back in Conwy I finish with a visit to the

World Heritage Site of Conwy Castle oneof the cornerstones of Edward Irsquos iron ringof castles A series of new artworks inside

the castle ruins symbolise fragments of thestory and add depth to the human story

behind the facts of the history books

Llywelynrsquos Coronet a crown atop a towerof shields and swords in the Prison Tower

by the artist Rubin Eynon symbolises the

burning spirit of the people while a rusted-iron sculpture of the head of King Edward Iby Gideon Petersen in the Kingrsquos Chamber

is a ghostly presence

Standing on the defensive parapets ofthe castle I look over the estuary towardsthe former castle site at Deganwy a

stronghold of the Princes ransacked andravaged by generations of invaders Below

is the busy harbour quayside ldquoConwy wasa bustling trading port in the late 13th

century with communities of EnglishWelsh and other nationalitiesrdquo says RoyWilliams Head Custodian at Conwy

Castle ldquoThe castle had its own watergateentrance to allow access for people and

supplies directly from shipsrdquo

Roy and I climb the spiral stairs to the

castlersquos chapel the weight of historyaround us to be greeted with a new

installation of stained glass Garrison of

Flowers The three-pane window tells thestory of the bloody fight between the

Princes of Gwynedd and the English crown

ldquoBy presenting the story of

the princes to visitors to the

castle Irsquove learnt that like

much of history the story is

not black and whiterdquo adds

Roy Williams ldquoI hope these

artworks will make people

think again about Welsh

history ndash and maybe inspire

them to find out morerdquo

We sit for a moment in contemplation ona semi-circular pew carved with verses in

Welsh English and French the languagesspoken in the new borough of Conwy in

the 1280s after the Edwardian ConquestIn the fading light of late afternoon oneparticular verse catches my eye

It reads ldquoLet the eye pierce the mirror of

the past ndash historyrsquos shadow phantom inthe glassrdquo

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

D o l w y d d e

l a n C a s t l e

12 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1331

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1431

Mae yna lawer o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn Llandrillo-yn-Rhos Bae Colwyn Towyn a Bae Cinmel Beth am ddilyn Llwybr Treftadaeth

Llandrillo-yn-Rhos gwibio ar hyd y llwybr beicio neu fynd allan ar y mocircr i ddal eich swper Dewch i gwrdd ag anifeiliaid a chreaduriaid ySw Fynydd Gymreig ym Mae Colwyn neu brynu darn gwreiddiol o gelf yn Oriel Gymunedol y Bae Os nad ydi hynny at eich dant beth am

roi ceiniog neu ddwy ar geffyl yn Nhir Prince Towyn neu fynd i ffair Knightly yn Nhowyn i wylio sioe hud a chael gwers neu ddwy yn yrysgol syrcas

R H O S - O N - S E A C O L W Y N B A Y T O W Y N amp K I N M E L B A Y

Set off for no fewer than three hours of historic discovery from the tiny shoreside chapel

of 6th century Saint Trillo just one of 26 sites on the Rhos-on-Sea Heritage Trail Pack apicnic and have lunch on the beach Grab an ice cream Write a postcard Stroll around

the shops Bring a bike and cycle down the prom or hop aboard a charter boat for a spotof sea fishing and catch your supper Then watch a proper puppet show at the 55-year-

old Harlequin Puppet Theatre the UKrsquos very first permanent marionette theatre

from te coas

T O G E T T H E M O S T 3 D

A Y S

A roam around Rhos

14 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1531

Day 1RHOS-ON-SEA

Sea Fishing Trips

from Rhos-on-Sea

01492 541733 or

07721 532731wwwincentivefishingcouk

Harlequin Puppet Theatre

01492 548166wwwpuppetsukcom

Day 2COLWYN BAY

Welsh Mountain Zoo

01492 532938wwwwelshmountainzooorg

Bay Gallery

07909 893254

Parc Eirias01492 577900wwwconwygovuk

Theatr Colwyn

01492 577888wwwtheatrcolwyncouk

Day 3TOWYN amp KINMEL BAY

Adventure PaintballSt George Abergele

01745 361368wwwadventure-companycouk

Tir Prince Towyn

01745 345123wwwtirprincecouk

Knightlyrsquos Funfair Towyn

01745 351112 or 07836 787789

wwwfunfair-hirecom

These are just a fewthings you can get upto in Rhos-on-Sea

Colwyn Bay Towynand Kinmel Bay to

find out more grab a

copy of the EssentialPocket Guide (2013

edition availablefrom Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

See if you can tell a meerkat from a polecat at the Welsh Mountain

Zoo the National Zoo of Wales After meeting the residents have lunchon the grassy slopes and catch a show at Sealions Rock Do a spot of

art appreciation and bag yourself some original artwork at the award-winning community Bay Gallery Go shopping at the market ndash choose

from classic or local farmersrsquo ndash and grab a bargain or the ingredientsfor dinner Take a tour of the town and a trip down memory lane onthe Heritage Trail or spend the afternoon at Parc Eirias on the bowling

green in the park pool or tennis court Finish off the day with a movieor a stage show at Theatr Colwyn the UKrsquos oldest operating cinema

Kick off day 3 with a gentle bike ride and some knockout sea views onthe cycle path from Colwyn Bay Crank up the pace and battle it out

across 69 acres of open woodland at Adventure Paintball AbergeleTake a breather at Pensarnrsquos quiet beach and treat yourself to some

candy floss Then have a flutter and experience the excitement ofAmerican harness racing at Tir Prince Raceway Towyn Finish your

tour with some classic seaside fun at Knightlyrsquos Funfair where youcan watch a magic show take a lesson at the circus skills schoolhave a game of bingo or a round of crazy golf

15

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1631

Conwy is a great place to get back to nature Better still

therersquos always something to see and do whatever the

season - from wild flowers in spring to migrating birds

in autumn Time your visit well and you could be greeted

by the rasping call of Reed warblers or the song of theReed bunting

There are new developments at the Great Orme County Park

and at the RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve this year But away

from the main sites there is also a host of attractions and

back-to-nature experiences at some of the lesser-known

locations managed by Conwy Countryside Service

We highlight some of the best of Conwyrsquos naturalattractions by season

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

Sir Gonwy ydirsquor lle perffaith i ymgolli ym myd natur beth bynnag y tywydd Bydd datblygiadau newydd ym Mharc Gwledig y Gogarth aGwarchodfa Natur Conwy yn denu ymwelwyr irsquor ardal i fwynhau byd natur ar ei orau

Mae Arsyllfa Natur newydd y warchodfa yn agor yn y gwanwyn ac mae disgwyl irsquor gwelliannau i Ganolfan Ymwelwyr y Gogarth fod wedi

eu cwblhau erbyn hynny hefyd Bydd y Maes man ymgynnull yn y warchodfa yn agor yn barod ar gyfer yr hydref arsquor adar mudo

Mae yna hefyd ddigon o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn rhai o safleoedd llai adnabyddus Gwasanaeth Cefn Gwlad Conwy Er enghraifft

llwybr cerdded newydd yng Ngwarchodfa Natur Coed Pwllycrochan ym Mae Colwyn syrsquon eich tywys trwyrsquor coed collddail

Itrsquos in our nature

copyA n d y H a

y r s p b - i m a g e sc

o m

copy E l e

a n o r

B e n t a l l

r s p b

- i m a g e s c o m

copyEleanor Bentall rspb-imagescom

copyAnd y Ha y rsp b-imagescom

16 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1731

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

RSPB CONWY NATURE RESERVE

Among the UKrsquos most popularRSPB reserves with plenty to

see throughout the year fromshorebirds returning in the autumn

to dragonflies in summer plus an

exciting timetable of events whichincludes a New Yearrsquos Day Walk and

International Mud Day in June

01492 584091wwwrspborguk

GREAT ORME COUNTRY

PARK VISITOR CENTRE

Discover the Great Ormersquos history

geology and wildlife and take asneaky peak at the seabird colonies

using the lsquoseabird camerarsquo A rangeof leaflets produced by Conwyrsquos

Countryside Service is available atthe Centre

01492 874151wwwconwygovukgreatorme

PENSYCHNANT CONSERVATION

CENTRE AND NATURE RESERVE

The woodland and heathland of

this nature reserve at the top ofConwyrsquos Sychnant Pass is home

to diverse species of wildlife andis a perfect starting point for awalk to the Carneddau mountains

The Centre itself works withnaturalists and wildlife organisations

and hosts regular events

01492 592595wwwpensychnantcouk

NATURE RESERVES

Conwy Countryside Servicemanages a number of naturereserves with diverse habitats ndash

from woodland to sand dunesndash including the wild landscapes

of Conwy Mountain Bodlondeb

Woods with its many speciesof birds and butterflies andDolwyddelan picnic site wherevolunteers created award-winning

flower beds

wwwconwygovukcountryside

SPRING

The new Jubilee Nature Observatory at

RSPB Conwy opens this spring The straw-bale-built structure overlooks one of the

two lagoons and up the Conwy Valley toSnowdonia Use it to spot birds such as

Water rail (similar to moorhens) hidden in

the reeds plus spring butterflies egrets andGrey heron

ldquoI love walking round the reserve on a spring

dayrdquo says Julian Hughes Reserve ManagerldquoWith birds arriving from Africa wild flowersand insects emerging therersquos something new

every dayrdquo

Improvements to the Great Orme CountryPark Visitor Centre will also be completefor spring with a new weather station and

a digital information point The Great Orme

boasts some 400 species of wild flowersin spring with rock roses one of the mostprevalent on its limestone grassland You canalso spot seabirds on the cliffs and Kashmir

goat kids running wild Look out for thewild flower interpretation chart one of the

centrersquos latest publications

SUMMER

A new viewpoint from RSPB Conwyrsquos Ganol

Trail looking across to Conwy Castle willopen for summer to spot oystercatchersand curlews on the islands in the lagoons

You will also see native wild flowers suchas Birdrsquos foot trefoil a food source for the

Common blue butterfly The Great Ormeheathland meanwhile will be in full bloomwith heather and gorse showering purple

and yellow flowers across the landscape

A perfect walking spot for May or June isthe Mynydd Marian Local Nature Reservea small limestone ridge on the edge of

the village of Llysfaen located betweenColwyn Bay and Abergele The limestone

grassland site boasts stunning coastal views

and a rich patchwork of summer flora andfauna including rare species such as Hoary

rockrose Spring cinquefoil and the Silver-studded blue butterfly

AUTUMN

New developments to the nature reserve

with the next stage of the ConwyConnections project at RSPB Conwy will

be complete for autumn The centrepieceof this will be Y Maes (the village square)

which will offer a newly landscaped central

outdoor meeting place It will also providean elevated view across the reserve to the

Conwy Valley Look across the treetops ateye level with the Goldfinches at play

ldquoThe mix of habitats brings people closerto naturerdquo says Julian Hughes ldquoThe reserve

is alive at this time of year with autumncolours fungus frogs and birdlife on the

moverdquo

Also alive in early autumn is the circular

walk through the Penmaenmawr uplands

exploring ancient historical sites from theJubilee Path to the Druidrsquos Circle whilstwalking through a carpet of mixed pinks andpurples with splashes of yellow from heather

gorse and bilberry

WINTER

Enjoy a winter walk at the Pwllycrochan

Woods Local Nature Reserve a deciduouswoodland above Colwyn Bay where

improvements to the woodland pathand new themed information boards areavailable for walkers amongst the native

and exotic trees Listen out for buzzardsnuthatch great spotted woodpecker and

tawny owls while out rambling the fivecircular woodland trails

ldquoWith sweet chestnut sessile oak andsycamore itrsquos a brilliant place to trudge

through the thick carpet of leaves in theautumnrdquo says Countryside Warden LesleyLawson

Finally the four walks around Llanfairfechan

are also ideal for winter wildlife Route one

through the Glan y Mocircr Elias Local NatureReserve is graced with wigeons grazing the

saltmarsh and wading birds on the adjoiningTraeth Lafan mudflats

17

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1831

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1931

The Green Flag Award Scheme is a

national standard of excellence for parksand green spaces To qualify a greenspace must be a welcoming place which

involves the community The awardtakes into consideration such things as

sustainability conservation and heritage

and recognises the hard work of dedicatedparks staff and community groups This

year we are proudly flying no fewerthan nine prestigious Green Flags from

ornamental flowerbeds paths and seatingat Queenrsquos Gardens Colwyn Bay a relaxedenvironment in an otherwise busy area of

the town to Cae Derw Llandudno Junctionwhich has a sensory garden sculptures a

play area and a place to walk the dogSo far more than 50000 daffodil bulbs have been planted at Llandudnorsquos parksgardens and green bits in a bid to secure the title of Daffodil Capital of Wales

Throughout 2012 school youth and childrenrsquos groups the Councilrsquos parksdepartment and local businesses gathered for mass bulb-planting and fund-raising

events competitions and activities with a lsquodaffometerrsquo gauging planting progressThe first yearrsquos planting goal was met (and bettered) last November and all thehard work is due to pay off this year Visit Llandudno in late winter early spring

to be among the first to see the explosions of bright yellow when thousands uponthousands of daffodils burst into bloom throughout the town

wwwdaffodilcapitalofwalescouk

Wales in Bloom is a national campaign designed to embrace the beauty of

Wales Prizes are awarded annually for the best looking towns and take into

consideration environmentally friendly practices and community involvement aswell as horticultural achievement In 2012 Colwyn Bay took home 1st prize the

Gold Award in the Large Town category for a whopping 11th year running Visitand see whatrsquos growing this year

walesinbloomorguk

G A R D E N S A N D G R E E N S P A C E S

Our Green Flags are flying atWynn Garden Old ColwynQueens Garden Colwyn Bay

Bodlondeb Park ConwyHappy Valley Llandudno

Great Orme Country Park LlandudnoPentre Mawr Park Abergele

Cae Derw Llandudno JunctionLlanrhos Lawn Cemetery LlandudnoBryn Euryn Allotments and Local Nature

Reserve Rhos-on-Sea

wwwconwygovuk

19

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2031

Prsquoun ai a ydych chirsquon anturiwr o fri syrsquon hoffi gwthiorsquoch corff arsquoch calon irsquor eithaf neursquon hoffi ymlacio a chwarae golff gyda thyrsquor clwb gerllaw

i chi gael llymaid mae rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn Llandudno a Sir Gonwy O antur ar dir sych i antur ar y mocircr - beth am roi cynnig arrywbeth newydd Beth am fynd ar siglen pum sedd fwyaf Ewrop yn Treetops Adventure neu os ydych chirsquon ddigon dewr beth am feicio

ar hyd llwybr 28km y Marin yng Nghoed Gwydir Yng Nghonwy mae gan ddringo sgiumlo syrffio barcud a cherdded un peth yn gyffredin -golygfeydd godidog o bob cyfeiriad

A C T I V I T I E S

Whether yoursquore a fully fledged outdoor type who likes nothing betterthan a no-holds-barred adrenaline thrill or prefer to spend your

spare time on the golf course with a club house close at hand therersquossomething to please everyone in Llandudno and Conwy County

Wersquove adventures on dry land and on the water Colwyn Bayrsquos eagerly

awaited Watersports Centre is coming soon but in the meantime whynot try something new Whether itrsquos climbing skiing kitesurfing or just

good old fashioned walking they all have one thing in common here

amazing scenery in every direction

20 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 6: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 631

A PEAK AT THE PAST

Discover Llandudnorsquos long and fascinatinghistory from the really ancient to the fairly

recent Llandudno Museum has a regularlychanging programme of temporaryexhibitions and there are many fascinating

artefacts in the permanent collection

too from a footprint on a Roman tile topaintings sculptures furniture and objetdrsquoart from around the world

VINTAGE BUS TOUR

After walking the best way to see theGreat Orme is from a vintage coach as

it winds its way round the limestoneheadlandrsquos four mile toll road The drivetakes an hour and enjoys spectacular views

out to sea along the way as well as lots

of other great things to look out for fromcolonies of seabirds and free-roamingKashmiri goats to the Victorian lighthouseand medieval Church of St Tudno

wwwalpine-travelcouk

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

Those who remember the 1940s will betreated to a nostalgic trip down memory

lane at this living history museum whilethe self-guided tour allows younger visitorsto experience the sights and sounds of

1940s Britain giving an unique glimpse

into what life was like during the SecondWorld War

wwwhomefrontmuseumcouk

G R E A T B R E A K S I N L L A N D U D N O

FOR HISTORY BUFFS

6 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 731

V E N U E C Y M R U

With its diverse programme of events Venue Cymru is among

North Walesrsquo best places to go for a great night out Thereare performances throughout the year ranging from musicals

and drama to pop gigs and stand-up comedy with large-scaleproductions by the likes of Welsh National Opera and Moscow

City Ballet and smaller shows by local theatre companies Hereare a few of this yearrsquos highlights for full details of whatrsquos on in2013 visit wwwvenuecymrucouk

22 FEBRUARY Phil Cool ndash A Comedy Legend

17 MARCH BBC National Orchestra of Wales

ndash Sibelius Mozart Stravinskyand more

13 15 16 MARCH Welsh National Opera ndashPuccinirsquos Madame Butterfly

25-30 MARCH Agatha Christiersquos The Mousetrap

ndash Diamond Anniversary Tour

4-6 APRIL The Importance of Being Earnest

16-20 APRIL James and the Giant Peach

7-11 MAY Sleeping Beauty on Ice

19 MAY Micky Flanagan ndash 2013

12-13 JUNE Bill Bailey ndash Qualmpeddler2 AUGUST Jimmy Carr ndash Gagging Order

14 -15 OCTOBER Jason Manford

M O S T Y N

Described by The Guardian as lsquoone of the most adventurous

contemporary art venues in the UKrsquo MOSTYN shows regularlychanging exhibitions of international contemporary art

Housed in a Grade II-listed building with impressive Victorianfaccedilade and gold spire MOSTYN began life as the worldrsquos first

gallery for women artists Itrsquos still a great place to discoverstimulating art today and alongside the work displayed acrosssix gallery spaces yoursquoll find a shop selling contemporary craft

by local national and international makers and a Cafeacute whereyou can enjoy locally-baked cakes fresh coffee and a menu of

exciting dishes cooked to order

G R E A T B R E A K S I N L L A N D U D N O

F O R T H C O M I N G E V E N T S A T MO S T Y N

From January 2013 lsquoMOSTYN Open 18rsquoThis the 18th Open exhibition features work by artists fromhome and abroad with a pound10000 prize and an additionalpound1000 prize to the artist who receives the most votes from

visitors to the exhibition

From April 2013 lsquoYOUrsquo (plus solo artist shows)Bringing together the work of five international artists thisexhibition includes pieces that require the direct involvement

of the viewer

From July 2013 lsquoDear Portraitrsquo (plus solo artist shows)This exhibition looks at portraiture and aims to update andrenew its relevance in todayrsquos visual arts

From October 2013 lsquoWomenrsquos Art Societyrsquo(plus solo artist shows)Part of a series of shows about the buildingrsquos heritage this

exhibition explores the origins of MOSTYN as an exhibition

space for women previously excluded from local art societieson the basis of their gender

To find out more visit wwwmostynorg

To find out more about all theother great things to see and do inLlandudno grab yourself a copy of

the Essential Pocket Guide (2013edition available at Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

7

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 831

The Great Orme limestone headland is designated a Special Area of Conservation

a Site of Special Scientific Interest a local Nature Reserve and has just received

a Green Flag Award for the fifth year running One of the best ways to see it

and make sure you donrsquot miss anything is to take a guided walk Here four

walkers ndash Sian and Roger Dale and Stella and Mike Lehane ndash join guide

Barry Mortlock on an autumn walk especially designed for over 50s

8 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 931

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1031

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

Many events from this time shaped Walesin terms of its landscape culture andheritage Yet the lives and times of the

Princes of Gwynedd and their strugglesagainst their neighbours both within and

beyond Wales remain one of the leastknown epochs in the story of Wales

ldquoThe Princes presided over a period ofdynamic change in the history of Wales

We owe so many of our notions of cultureand history today to this periodrdquo saysHelen Bradley Heritage Tourism Project

Officer for Conwy County BoroughCouncil

Helen is showing me around the newPrinces of Gwynedd exhibition at the

tourist information centre in the centreof Conwy The exhibition tells the story

of the Princes using maps documentsand sound recordings to capture thespirit of the times From a child-friendly

animation of historical soundbitesto information about life in medieval

Gwynedd during their reign the exhibitionacts as a gateway to a series of sites across

Gwynedd Conwy and the SnowdoniaNational Park

ldquoThe Princes were tactical

strategic players on the

European stage reformingtheir lands and creating

strong political alliances

They were not downtrodden

victims cowering in the

mountainsrdquo adds Helen

The Princes ruled over tribal kingdoms

surviving Saxon attacks and theconstruction of Offarsquos Dyke along theWelsh-English border in the 8th century

Viking raids in the 9th century andwidespread power struggles and in-

fighting within Wales itself It was not untilthe 13th century that the Princes finallyrose to predominance first with Llywelyn

Fawr (the Great) and finally his grandsonLlywelyn ap Gruffydd who was the first

to be known by the title Prince of WalesAfter his death the new Welsh values ofnationhood language and law appeared

threatened forever Indeed it wouldnrsquot

be until the rise of Owain Glyndwr in the1400s that Welsh pride would be restored

Helen goes on to show me round thesecond room of the exhibition which is

dedicated to the cultural legacy of theage of the Princes Despite our dark imageof the times this era saw Welsh literature

and art flourish Indeed Rhys ap Gruffyddconvened the first ever bardic tournament

in 1176 a precursor to the modern-dayEisteddfod The Princes commissionedbards to write eulogies and praise poems

which helped to create a mythologyaround their image and ancestry

ITrsquoS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS DYNASTIES IN WELSH

HISTORY THEIR ST ORY SPANS A PERIOD OF TUMULT

AND CONFLICT FROM THE END OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

TO THE WARS OF INDEPENDENCE AGAINST EDWARD I

10 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1131

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

One featured poem recorded in medieval

Welsh is a praise poem for the Princesby Gynddelw Brydydd Mawr It dates

from 1170 ldquoHe is a spear striking on thebattlefield exalted in his praise hellip His spearis blood-stained as he dispenses his angerrdquo

After a brisk walk around the walls a quicklook into Aberconwy House the townrsquosoldest medieval merchantrsquos quartersdating from around 1300 and lunch at

Lrsquos cool little coffee and bookshop I setout to trace the princesrsquo legacy through

the surrounding landscape I take thescenic Conwy Valley railway line down toLlanrwst via Dolgarrog the line celebrating

its 150th birthday in June this year

The route passes through an RSPBwildlife reserve looking back towards

Conwy Castle and Robert Stephensonrsquosengineering-marvel railway bridge beforeheading onwards through a picture-

postcard landscape past Bodnant GardenBy the time we are approaching North

Llanrwst station the Gwydyr Forest islooming into view

ldquoItrsquos a very different experience to exploreConwy by public transport rather than

drivingrdquo says Larry Davies CommunityRail Officer for Arriva Trains Wales whichis working with local bus companies to

connect key locations along the princesrsquotrail ldquoYou get closer to the scenery closer

to history this wayrdquo he smiles

St Grwstrsquos Church dedicated to the 6th

century Celtic saint who founded thechurch in Llanrwst clings to the banks

of the River Conwy Gwydir Chapel thestone-built chapel adjacent to the main

church and dating from 1633 houses the

stone sarcophagus of Llywelyn the Great

who died in 1240 after a reign spanningfour decades

Llywelyn is regarded as one of the greatest

Welsh princes a powerful 13th centuryruler who fought hard to unite his realmand to play a role on the wider stage

concluding treaties with rulers such asPhillip Augustus of France in 1212 Upon

his death his body was buried first in

Conwy and then moved to Maenan

Abbey outside Llanrwst When HenryVIII dissolved the monasteries in the

16th century Llywelynrsquos stone coffinwas moved to the church in Llanrwst His

body was lost but the elaborately carvedsarcophagus survives

11

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1231

Elsewhere along the line other locationshelp bring the story of the Princes to lifeFor example St Michaelrsquos Church at Betws-

y-Coed features a 14th century limestoneeffigy of Gruffydd ap Dafydd Goch

while the stunning castle at Dolwyddelanwas first built by Llywelyn Fawr andsubsequently modified by Edward I Both

sites are open to visitors

For an overview a dedicated website withan interactive map and a new guidebook

to sites associated with the Princes will beavailable from Spring 2013 for visitors tofind out more

Back in Conwy I finish with a visit to the

World Heritage Site of Conwy Castle oneof the cornerstones of Edward Irsquos iron ringof castles A series of new artworks inside

the castle ruins symbolise fragments of thestory and add depth to the human story

behind the facts of the history books

Llywelynrsquos Coronet a crown atop a towerof shields and swords in the Prison Tower

by the artist Rubin Eynon symbolises the

burning spirit of the people while a rusted-iron sculpture of the head of King Edward Iby Gideon Petersen in the Kingrsquos Chamber

is a ghostly presence

Standing on the defensive parapets ofthe castle I look over the estuary towardsthe former castle site at Deganwy a

stronghold of the Princes ransacked andravaged by generations of invaders Below

is the busy harbour quayside ldquoConwy wasa bustling trading port in the late 13th

century with communities of EnglishWelsh and other nationalitiesrdquo says RoyWilliams Head Custodian at Conwy

Castle ldquoThe castle had its own watergateentrance to allow access for people and

supplies directly from shipsrdquo

Roy and I climb the spiral stairs to the

castlersquos chapel the weight of historyaround us to be greeted with a new

installation of stained glass Garrison of

Flowers The three-pane window tells thestory of the bloody fight between the

Princes of Gwynedd and the English crown

ldquoBy presenting the story of

the princes to visitors to the

castle Irsquove learnt that like

much of history the story is

not black and whiterdquo adds

Roy Williams ldquoI hope these

artworks will make people

think again about Welsh

history ndash and maybe inspire

them to find out morerdquo

We sit for a moment in contemplation ona semi-circular pew carved with verses in

Welsh English and French the languagesspoken in the new borough of Conwy in

the 1280s after the Edwardian ConquestIn the fading light of late afternoon oneparticular verse catches my eye

It reads ldquoLet the eye pierce the mirror of

the past ndash historyrsquos shadow phantom inthe glassrdquo

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

D o l w y d d e

l a n C a s t l e

12 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1331

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1431

Mae yna lawer o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn Llandrillo-yn-Rhos Bae Colwyn Towyn a Bae Cinmel Beth am ddilyn Llwybr Treftadaeth

Llandrillo-yn-Rhos gwibio ar hyd y llwybr beicio neu fynd allan ar y mocircr i ddal eich swper Dewch i gwrdd ag anifeiliaid a chreaduriaid ySw Fynydd Gymreig ym Mae Colwyn neu brynu darn gwreiddiol o gelf yn Oriel Gymunedol y Bae Os nad ydi hynny at eich dant beth am

roi ceiniog neu ddwy ar geffyl yn Nhir Prince Towyn neu fynd i ffair Knightly yn Nhowyn i wylio sioe hud a chael gwers neu ddwy yn yrysgol syrcas

R H O S - O N - S E A C O L W Y N B A Y T O W Y N amp K I N M E L B A Y

Set off for no fewer than three hours of historic discovery from the tiny shoreside chapel

of 6th century Saint Trillo just one of 26 sites on the Rhos-on-Sea Heritage Trail Pack apicnic and have lunch on the beach Grab an ice cream Write a postcard Stroll around

the shops Bring a bike and cycle down the prom or hop aboard a charter boat for a spotof sea fishing and catch your supper Then watch a proper puppet show at the 55-year-

old Harlequin Puppet Theatre the UKrsquos very first permanent marionette theatre

from te coas

T O G E T T H E M O S T 3 D

A Y S

A roam around Rhos

14 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1531

Day 1RHOS-ON-SEA

Sea Fishing Trips

from Rhos-on-Sea

01492 541733 or

07721 532731wwwincentivefishingcouk

Harlequin Puppet Theatre

01492 548166wwwpuppetsukcom

Day 2COLWYN BAY

Welsh Mountain Zoo

01492 532938wwwwelshmountainzooorg

Bay Gallery

07909 893254

Parc Eirias01492 577900wwwconwygovuk

Theatr Colwyn

01492 577888wwwtheatrcolwyncouk

Day 3TOWYN amp KINMEL BAY

Adventure PaintballSt George Abergele

01745 361368wwwadventure-companycouk

Tir Prince Towyn

01745 345123wwwtirprincecouk

Knightlyrsquos Funfair Towyn

01745 351112 or 07836 787789

wwwfunfair-hirecom

These are just a fewthings you can get upto in Rhos-on-Sea

Colwyn Bay Towynand Kinmel Bay to

find out more grab a

copy of the EssentialPocket Guide (2013

edition availablefrom Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

See if you can tell a meerkat from a polecat at the Welsh Mountain

Zoo the National Zoo of Wales After meeting the residents have lunchon the grassy slopes and catch a show at Sealions Rock Do a spot of

art appreciation and bag yourself some original artwork at the award-winning community Bay Gallery Go shopping at the market ndash choose

from classic or local farmersrsquo ndash and grab a bargain or the ingredientsfor dinner Take a tour of the town and a trip down memory lane onthe Heritage Trail or spend the afternoon at Parc Eirias on the bowling

green in the park pool or tennis court Finish off the day with a movieor a stage show at Theatr Colwyn the UKrsquos oldest operating cinema

Kick off day 3 with a gentle bike ride and some knockout sea views onthe cycle path from Colwyn Bay Crank up the pace and battle it out

across 69 acres of open woodland at Adventure Paintball AbergeleTake a breather at Pensarnrsquos quiet beach and treat yourself to some

candy floss Then have a flutter and experience the excitement ofAmerican harness racing at Tir Prince Raceway Towyn Finish your

tour with some classic seaside fun at Knightlyrsquos Funfair where youcan watch a magic show take a lesson at the circus skills schoolhave a game of bingo or a round of crazy golf

15

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1631

Conwy is a great place to get back to nature Better still

therersquos always something to see and do whatever the

season - from wild flowers in spring to migrating birds

in autumn Time your visit well and you could be greeted

by the rasping call of Reed warblers or the song of theReed bunting

There are new developments at the Great Orme County Park

and at the RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve this year But away

from the main sites there is also a host of attractions and

back-to-nature experiences at some of the lesser-known

locations managed by Conwy Countryside Service

We highlight some of the best of Conwyrsquos naturalattractions by season

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

Sir Gonwy ydirsquor lle perffaith i ymgolli ym myd natur beth bynnag y tywydd Bydd datblygiadau newydd ym Mharc Gwledig y Gogarth aGwarchodfa Natur Conwy yn denu ymwelwyr irsquor ardal i fwynhau byd natur ar ei orau

Mae Arsyllfa Natur newydd y warchodfa yn agor yn y gwanwyn ac mae disgwyl irsquor gwelliannau i Ganolfan Ymwelwyr y Gogarth fod wedi

eu cwblhau erbyn hynny hefyd Bydd y Maes man ymgynnull yn y warchodfa yn agor yn barod ar gyfer yr hydref arsquor adar mudo

Mae yna hefyd ddigon o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn rhai o safleoedd llai adnabyddus Gwasanaeth Cefn Gwlad Conwy Er enghraifft

llwybr cerdded newydd yng Ngwarchodfa Natur Coed Pwllycrochan ym Mae Colwyn syrsquon eich tywys trwyrsquor coed collddail

Itrsquos in our nature

copyA n d y H a

y r s p b - i m a g e sc

o m

copy E l e

a n o r

B e n t a l l

r s p b

- i m a g e s c o m

copyEleanor Bentall rspb-imagescom

copyAnd y Ha y rsp b-imagescom

16 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1731

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

RSPB CONWY NATURE RESERVE

Among the UKrsquos most popularRSPB reserves with plenty to

see throughout the year fromshorebirds returning in the autumn

to dragonflies in summer plus an

exciting timetable of events whichincludes a New Yearrsquos Day Walk and

International Mud Day in June

01492 584091wwwrspborguk

GREAT ORME COUNTRY

PARK VISITOR CENTRE

Discover the Great Ormersquos history

geology and wildlife and take asneaky peak at the seabird colonies

using the lsquoseabird camerarsquo A rangeof leaflets produced by Conwyrsquos

Countryside Service is available atthe Centre

01492 874151wwwconwygovukgreatorme

PENSYCHNANT CONSERVATION

CENTRE AND NATURE RESERVE

The woodland and heathland of

this nature reserve at the top ofConwyrsquos Sychnant Pass is home

to diverse species of wildlife andis a perfect starting point for awalk to the Carneddau mountains

The Centre itself works withnaturalists and wildlife organisations

and hosts regular events

01492 592595wwwpensychnantcouk

NATURE RESERVES

Conwy Countryside Servicemanages a number of naturereserves with diverse habitats ndash

from woodland to sand dunesndash including the wild landscapes

of Conwy Mountain Bodlondeb

Woods with its many speciesof birds and butterflies andDolwyddelan picnic site wherevolunteers created award-winning

flower beds

wwwconwygovukcountryside

SPRING

The new Jubilee Nature Observatory at

RSPB Conwy opens this spring The straw-bale-built structure overlooks one of the

two lagoons and up the Conwy Valley toSnowdonia Use it to spot birds such as

Water rail (similar to moorhens) hidden in

the reeds plus spring butterflies egrets andGrey heron

ldquoI love walking round the reserve on a spring

dayrdquo says Julian Hughes Reserve ManagerldquoWith birds arriving from Africa wild flowersand insects emerging therersquos something new

every dayrdquo

Improvements to the Great Orme CountryPark Visitor Centre will also be completefor spring with a new weather station and

a digital information point The Great Orme

boasts some 400 species of wild flowersin spring with rock roses one of the mostprevalent on its limestone grassland You canalso spot seabirds on the cliffs and Kashmir

goat kids running wild Look out for thewild flower interpretation chart one of the

centrersquos latest publications

SUMMER

A new viewpoint from RSPB Conwyrsquos Ganol

Trail looking across to Conwy Castle willopen for summer to spot oystercatchersand curlews on the islands in the lagoons

You will also see native wild flowers suchas Birdrsquos foot trefoil a food source for the

Common blue butterfly The Great Ormeheathland meanwhile will be in full bloomwith heather and gorse showering purple

and yellow flowers across the landscape

A perfect walking spot for May or June isthe Mynydd Marian Local Nature Reservea small limestone ridge on the edge of

the village of Llysfaen located betweenColwyn Bay and Abergele The limestone

grassland site boasts stunning coastal views

and a rich patchwork of summer flora andfauna including rare species such as Hoary

rockrose Spring cinquefoil and the Silver-studded blue butterfly

AUTUMN

New developments to the nature reserve

with the next stage of the ConwyConnections project at RSPB Conwy will

be complete for autumn The centrepieceof this will be Y Maes (the village square)

which will offer a newly landscaped central

outdoor meeting place It will also providean elevated view across the reserve to the

Conwy Valley Look across the treetops ateye level with the Goldfinches at play

ldquoThe mix of habitats brings people closerto naturerdquo says Julian Hughes ldquoThe reserve

is alive at this time of year with autumncolours fungus frogs and birdlife on the

moverdquo

Also alive in early autumn is the circular

walk through the Penmaenmawr uplands

exploring ancient historical sites from theJubilee Path to the Druidrsquos Circle whilstwalking through a carpet of mixed pinks andpurples with splashes of yellow from heather

gorse and bilberry

WINTER

Enjoy a winter walk at the Pwllycrochan

Woods Local Nature Reserve a deciduouswoodland above Colwyn Bay where

improvements to the woodland pathand new themed information boards areavailable for walkers amongst the native

and exotic trees Listen out for buzzardsnuthatch great spotted woodpecker and

tawny owls while out rambling the fivecircular woodland trails

ldquoWith sweet chestnut sessile oak andsycamore itrsquos a brilliant place to trudge

through the thick carpet of leaves in theautumnrdquo says Countryside Warden LesleyLawson

Finally the four walks around Llanfairfechan

are also ideal for winter wildlife Route one

through the Glan y Mocircr Elias Local NatureReserve is graced with wigeons grazing the

saltmarsh and wading birds on the adjoiningTraeth Lafan mudflats

17

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1831

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1931

The Green Flag Award Scheme is a

national standard of excellence for parksand green spaces To qualify a greenspace must be a welcoming place which

involves the community The awardtakes into consideration such things as

sustainability conservation and heritage

and recognises the hard work of dedicatedparks staff and community groups This

year we are proudly flying no fewerthan nine prestigious Green Flags from

ornamental flowerbeds paths and seatingat Queenrsquos Gardens Colwyn Bay a relaxedenvironment in an otherwise busy area of

the town to Cae Derw Llandudno Junctionwhich has a sensory garden sculptures a

play area and a place to walk the dogSo far more than 50000 daffodil bulbs have been planted at Llandudnorsquos parksgardens and green bits in a bid to secure the title of Daffodil Capital of Wales

Throughout 2012 school youth and childrenrsquos groups the Councilrsquos parksdepartment and local businesses gathered for mass bulb-planting and fund-raising

events competitions and activities with a lsquodaffometerrsquo gauging planting progressThe first yearrsquos planting goal was met (and bettered) last November and all thehard work is due to pay off this year Visit Llandudno in late winter early spring

to be among the first to see the explosions of bright yellow when thousands uponthousands of daffodils burst into bloom throughout the town

wwwdaffodilcapitalofwalescouk

Wales in Bloom is a national campaign designed to embrace the beauty of

Wales Prizes are awarded annually for the best looking towns and take into

consideration environmentally friendly practices and community involvement aswell as horticultural achievement In 2012 Colwyn Bay took home 1st prize the

Gold Award in the Large Town category for a whopping 11th year running Visitand see whatrsquos growing this year

walesinbloomorguk

G A R D E N S A N D G R E E N S P A C E S

Our Green Flags are flying atWynn Garden Old ColwynQueens Garden Colwyn Bay

Bodlondeb Park ConwyHappy Valley Llandudno

Great Orme Country Park LlandudnoPentre Mawr Park Abergele

Cae Derw Llandudno JunctionLlanrhos Lawn Cemetery LlandudnoBryn Euryn Allotments and Local Nature

Reserve Rhos-on-Sea

wwwconwygovuk

19

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2031

Prsquoun ai a ydych chirsquon anturiwr o fri syrsquon hoffi gwthiorsquoch corff arsquoch calon irsquor eithaf neursquon hoffi ymlacio a chwarae golff gyda thyrsquor clwb gerllaw

i chi gael llymaid mae rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn Llandudno a Sir Gonwy O antur ar dir sych i antur ar y mocircr - beth am roi cynnig arrywbeth newydd Beth am fynd ar siglen pum sedd fwyaf Ewrop yn Treetops Adventure neu os ydych chirsquon ddigon dewr beth am feicio

ar hyd llwybr 28km y Marin yng Nghoed Gwydir Yng Nghonwy mae gan ddringo sgiumlo syrffio barcud a cherdded un peth yn gyffredin -golygfeydd godidog o bob cyfeiriad

A C T I V I T I E S

Whether yoursquore a fully fledged outdoor type who likes nothing betterthan a no-holds-barred adrenaline thrill or prefer to spend your

spare time on the golf course with a club house close at hand therersquossomething to please everyone in Llandudno and Conwy County

Wersquove adventures on dry land and on the water Colwyn Bayrsquos eagerly

awaited Watersports Centre is coming soon but in the meantime whynot try something new Whether itrsquos climbing skiing kitesurfing or just

good old fashioned walking they all have one thing in common here

amazing scenery in every direction

20 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 7: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 731

V E N U E C Y M R U

With its diverse programme of events Venue Cymru is among

North Walesrsquo best places to go for a great night out Thereare performances throughout the year ranging from musicals

and drama to pop gigs and stand-up comedy with large-scaleproductions by the likes of Welsh National Opera and Moscow

City Ballet and smaller shows by local theatre companies Hereare a few of this yearrsquos highlights for full details of whatrsquos on in2013 visit wwwvenuecymrucouk

22 FEBRUARY Phil Cool ndash A Comedy Legend

17 MARCH BBC National Orchestra of Wales

ndash Sibelius Mozart Stravinskyand more

13 15 16 MARCH Welsh National Opera ndashPuccinirsquos Madame Butterfly

25-30 MARCH Agatha Christiersquos The Mousetrap

ndash Diamond Anniversary Tour

4-6 APRIL The Importance of Being Earnest

16-20 APRIL James and the Giant Peach

7-11 MAY Sleeping Beauty on Ice

19 MAY Micky Flanagan ndash 2013

12-13 JUNE Bill Bailey ndash Qualmpeddler2 AUGUST Jimmy Carr ndash Gagging Order

14 -15 OCTOBER Jason Manford

M O S T Y N

Described by The Guardian as lsquoone of the most adventurous

contemporary art venues in the UKrsquo MOSTYN shows regularlychanging exhibitions of international contemporary art

Housed in a Grade II-listed building with impressive Victorianfaccedilade and gold spire MOSTYN began life as the worldrsquos first

gallery for women artists Itrsquos still a great place to discoverstimulating art today and alongside the work displayed acrosssix gallery spaces yoursquoll find a shop selling contemporary craft

by local national and international makers and a Cafeacute whereyou can enjoy locally-baked cakes fresh coffee and a menu of

exciting dishes cooked to order

G R E A T B R E A K S I N L L A N D U D N O

F O R T H C O M I N G E V E N T S A T MO S T Y N

From January 2013 lsquoMOSTYN Open 18rsquoThis the 18th Open exhibition features work by artists fromhome and abroad with a pound10000 prize and an additionalpound1000 prize to the artist who receives the most votes from

visitors to the exhibition

From April 2013 lsquoYOUrsquo (plus solo artist shows)Bringing together the work of five international artists thisexhibition includes pieces that require the direct involvement

of the viewer

From July 2013 lsquoDear Portraitrsquo (plus solo artist shows)This exhibition looks at portraiture and aims to update andrenew its relevance in todayrsquos visual arts

From October 2013 lsquoWomenrsquos Art Societyrsquo(plus solo artist shows)Part of a series of shows about the buildingrsquos heritage this

exhibition explores the origins of MOSTYN as an exhibition

space for women previously excluded from local art societieson the basis of their gender

To find out more visit wwwmostynorg

To find out more about all theother great things to see and do inLlandudno grab yourself a copy of

the Essential Pocket Guide (2013edition available at Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

7

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 831

The Great Orme limestone headland is designated a Special Area of Conservation

a Site of Special Scientific Interest a local Nature Reserve and has just received

a Green Flag Award for the fifth year running One of the best ways to see it

and make sure you donrsquot miss anything is to take a guided walk Here four

walkers ndash Sian and Roger Dale and Stella and Mike Lehane ndash join guide

Barry Mortlock on an autumn walk especially designed for over 50s

8 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 931

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1031

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

Many events from this time shaped Walesin terms of its landscape culture andheritage Yet the lives and times of the

Princes of Gwynedd and their strugglesagainst their neighbours both within and

beyond Wales remain one of the leastknown epochs in the story of Wales

ldquoThe Princes presided over a period ofdynamic change in the history of Wales

We owe so many of our notions of cultureand history today to this periodrdquo saysHelen Bradley Heritage Tourism Project

Officer for Conwy County BoroughCouncil

Helen is showing me around the newPrinces of Gwynedd exhibition at the

tourist information centre in the centreof Conwy The exhibition tells the story

of the Princes using maps documentsand sound recordings to capture thespirit of the times From a child-friendly

animation of historical soundbitesto information about life in medieval

Gwynedd during their reign the exhibitionacts as a gateway to a series of sites across

Gwynedd Conwy and the SnowdoniaNational Park

ldquoThe Princes were tactical

strategic players on the

European stage reformingtheir lands and creating

strong political alliances

They were not downtrodden

victims cowering in the

mountainsrdquo adds Helen

The Princes ruled over tribal kingdoms

surviving Saxon attacks and theconstruction of Offarsquos Dyke along theWelsh-English border in the 8th century

Viking raids in the 9th century andwidespread power struggles and in-

fighting within Wales itself It was not untilthe 13th century that the Princes finallyrose to predominance first with Llywelyn

Fawr (the Great) and finally his grandsonLlywelyn ap Gruffydd who was the first

to be known by the title Prince of WalesAfter his death the new Welsh values ofnationhood language and law appeared

threatened forever Indeed it wouldnrsquot

be until the rise of Owain Glyndwr in the1400s that Welsh pride would be restored

Helen goes on to show me round thesecond room of the exhibition which is

dedicated to the cultural legacy of theage of the Princes Despite our dark imageof the times this era saw Welsh literature

and art flourish Indeed Rhys ap Gruffyddconvened the first ever bardic tournament

in 1176 a precursor to the modern-dayEisteddfod The Princes commissionedbards to write eulogies and praise poems

which helped to create a mythologyaround their image and ancestry

ITrsquoS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS DYNASTIES IN WELSH

HISTORY THEIR ST ORY SPANS A PERIOD OF TUMULT

AND CONFLICT FROM THE END OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

TO THE WARS OF INDEPENDENCE AGAINST EDWARD I

10 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1131

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

One featured poem recorded in medieval

Welsh is a praise poem for the Princesby Gynddelw Brydydd Mawr It dates

from 1170 ldquoHe is a spear striking on thebattlefield exalted in his praise hellip His spearis blood-stained as he dispenses his angerrdquo

After a brisk walk around the walls a quicklook into Aberconwy House the townrsquosoldest medieval merchantrsquos quartersdating from around 1300 and lunch at

Lrsquos cool little coffee and bookshop I setout to trace the princesrsquo legacy through

the surrounding landscape I take thescenic Conwy Valley railway line down toLlanrwst via Dolgarrog the line celebrating

its 150th birthday in June this year

The route passes through an RSPBwildlife reserve looking back towards

Conwy Castle and Robert Stephensonrsquosengineering-marvel railway bridge beforeheading onwards through a picture-

postcard landscape past Bodnant GardenBy the time we are approaching North

Llanrwst station the Gwydyr Forest islooming into view

ldquoItrsquos a very different experience to exploreConwy by public transport rather than

drivingrdquo says Larry Davies CommunityRail Officer for Arriva Trains Wales whichis working with local bus companies to

connect key locations along the princesrsquotrail ldquoYou get closer to the scenery closer

to history this wayrdquo he smiles

St Grwstrsquos Church dedicated to the 6th

century Celtic saint who founded thechurch in Llanrwst clings to the banks

of the River Conwy Gwydir Chapel thestone-built chapel adjacent to the main

church and dating from 1633 houses the

stone sarcophagus of Llywelyn the Great

who died in 1240 after a reign spanningfour decades

Llywelyn is regarded as one of the greatest

Welsh princes a powerful 13th centuryruler who fought hard to unite his realmand to play a role on the wider stage

concluding treaties with rulers such asPhillip Augustus of France in 1212 Upon

his death his body was buried first in

Conwy and then moved to Maenan

Abbey outside Llanrwst When HenryVIII dissolved the monasteries in the

16th century Llywelynrsquos stone coffinwas moved to the church in Llanrwst His

body was lost but the elaborately carvedsarcophagus survives

11

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1231

Elsewhere along the line other locationshelp bring the story of the Princes to lifeFor example St Michaelrsquos Church at Betws-

y-Coed features a 14th century limestoneeffigy of Gruffydd ap Dafydd Goch

while the stunning castle at Dolwyddelanwas first built by Llywelyn Fawr andsubsequently modified by Edward I Both

sites are open to visitors

For an overview a dedicated website withan interactive map and a new guidebook

to sites associated with the Princes will beavailable from Spring 2013 for visitors tofind out more

Back in Conwy I finish with a visit to the

World Heritage Site of Conwy Castle oneof the cornerstones of Edward Irsquos iron ringof castles A series of new artworks inside

the castle ruins symbolise fragments of thestory and add depth to the human story

behind the facts of the history books

Llywelynrsquos Coronet a crown atop a towerof shields and swords in the Prison Tower

by the artist Rubin Eynon symbolises the

burning spirit of the people while a rusted-iron sculpture of the head of King Edward Iby Gideon Petersen in the Kingrsquos Chamber

is a ghostly presence

Standing on the defensive parapets ofthe castle I look over the estuary towardsthe former castle site at Deganwy a

stronghold of the Princes ransacked andravaged by generations of invaders Below

is the busy harbour quayside ldquoConwy wasa bustling trading port in the late 13th

century with communities of EnglishWelsh and other nationalitiesrdquo says RoyWilliams Head Custodian at Conwy

Castle ldquoThe castle had its own watergateentrance to allow access for people and

supplies directly from shipsrdquo

Roy and I climb the spiral stairs to the

castlersquos chapel the weight of historyaround us to be greeted with a new

installation of stained glass Garrison of

Flowers The three-pane window tells thestory of the bloody fight between the

Princes of Gwynedd and the English crown

ldquoBy presenting the story of

the princes to visitors to the

castle Irsquove learnt that like

much of history the story is

not black and whiterdquo adds

Roy Williams ldquoI hope these

artworks will make people

think again about Welsh

history ndash and maybe inspire

them to find out morerdquo

We sit for a moment in contemplation ona semi-circular pew carved with verses in

Welsh English and French the languagesspoken in the new borough of Conwy in

the 1280s after the Edwardian ConquestIn the fading light of late afternoon oneparticular verse catches my eye

It reads ldquoLet the eye pierce the mirror of

the past ndash historyrsquos shadow phantom inthe glassrdquo

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

D o l w y d d e

l a n C a s t l e

12 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1331

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1431

Mae yna lawer o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn Llandrillo-yn-Rhos Bae Colwyn Towyn a Bae Cinmel Beth am ddilyn Llwybr Treftadaeth

Llandrillo-yn-Rhos gwibio ar hyd y llwybr beicio neu fynd allan ar y mocircr i ddal eich swper Dewch i gwrdd ag anifeiliaid a chreaduriaid ySw Fynydd Gymreig ym Mae Colwyn neu brynu darn gwreiddiol o gelf yn Oriel Gymunedol y Bae Os nad ydi hynny at eich dant beth am

roi ceiniog neu ddwy ar geffyl yn Nhir Prince Towyn neu fynd i ffair Knightly yn Nhowyn i wylio sioe hud a chael gwers neu ddwy yn yrysgol syrcas

R H O S - O N - S E A C O L W Y N B A Y T O W Y N amp K I N M E L B A Y

Set off for no fewer than three hours of historic discovery from the tiny shoreside chapel

of 6th century Saint Trillo just one of 26 sites on the Rhos-on-Sea Heritage Trail Pack apicnic and have lunch on the beach Grab an ice cream Write a postcard Stroll around

the shops Bring a bike and cycle down the prom or hop aboard a charter boat for a spotof sea fishing and catch your supper Then watch a proper puppet show at the 55-year-

old Harlequin Puppet Theatre the UKrsquos very first permanent marionette theatre

from te coas

T O G E T T H E M O S T 3 D

A Y S

A roam around Rhos

14 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1531

Day 1RHOS-ON-SEA

Sea Fishing Trips

from Rhos-on-Sea

01492 541733 or

07721 532731wwwincentivefishingcouk

Harlequin Puppet Theatre

01492 548166wwwpuppetsukcom

Day 2COLWYN BAY

Welsh Mountain Zoo

01492 532938wwwwelshmountainzooorg

Bay Gallery

07909 893254

Parc Eirias01492 577900wwwconwygovuk

Theatr Colwyn

01492 577888wwwtheatrcolwyncouk

Day 3TOWYN amp KINMEL BAY

Adventure PaintballSt George Abergele

01745 361368wwwadventure-companycouk

Tir Prince Towyn

01745 345123wwwtirprincecouk

Knightlyrsquos Funfair Towyn

01745 351112 or 07836 787789

wwwfunfair-hirecom

These are just a fewthings you can get upto in Rhos-on-Sea

Colwyn Bay Towynand Kinmel Bay to

find out more grab a

copy of the EssentialPocket Guide (2013

edition availablefrom Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

See if you can tell a meerkat from a polecat at the Welsh Mountain

Zoo the National Zoo of Wales After meeting the residents have lunchon the grassy slopes and catch a show at Sealions Rock Do a spot of

art appreciation and bag yourself some original artwork at the award-winning community Bay Gallery Go shopping at the market ndash choose

from classic or local farmersrsquo ndash and grab a bargain or the ingredientsfor dinner Take a tour of the town and a trip down memory lane onthe Heritage Trail or spend the afternoon at Parc Eirias on the bowling

green in the park pool or tennis court Finish off the day with a movieor a stage show at Theatr Colwyn the UKrsquos oldest operating cinema

Kick off day 3 with a gentle bike ride and some knockout sea views onthe cycle path from Colwyn Bay Crank up the pace and battle it out

across 69 acres of open woodland at Adventure Paintball AbergeleTake a breather at Pensarnrsquos quiet beach and treat yourself to some

candy floss Then have a flutter and experience the excitement ofAmerican harness racing at Tir Prince Raceway Towyn Finish your

tour with some classic seaside fun at Knightlyrsquos Funfair where youcan watch a magic show take a lesson at the circus skills schoolhave a game of bingo or a round of crazy golf

15

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1631

Conwy is a great place to get back to nature Better still

therersquos always something to see and do whatever the

season - from wild flowers in spring to migrating birds

in autumn Time your visit well and you could be greeted

by the rasping call of Reed warblers or the song of theReed bunting

There are new developments at the Great Orme County Park

and at the RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve this year But away

from the main sites there is also a host of attractions and

back-to-nature experiences at some of the lesser-known

locations managed by Conwy Countryside Service

We highlight some of the best of Conwyrsquos naturalattractions by season

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

Sir Gonwy ydirsquor lle perffaith i ymgolli ym myd natur beth bynnag y tywydd Bydd datblygiadau newydd ym Mharc Gwledig y Gogarth aGwarchodfa Natur Conwy yn denu ymwelwyr irsquor ardal i fwynhau byd natur ar ei orau

Mae Arsyllfa Natur newydd y warchodfa yn agor yn y gwanwyn ac mae disgwyl irsquor gwelliannau i Ganolfan Ymwelwyr y Gogarth fod wedi

eu cwblhau erbyn hynny hefyd Bydd y Maes man ymgynnull yn y warchodfa yn agor yn barod ar gyfer yr hydref arsquor adar mudo

Mae yna hefyd ddigon o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn rhai o safleoedd llai adnabyddus Gwasanaeth Cefn Gwlad Conwy Er enghraifft

llwybr cerdded newydd yng Ngwarchodfa Natur Coed Pwllycrochan ym Mae Colwyn syrsquon eich tywys trwyrsquor coed collddail

Itrsquos in our nature

copyA n d y H a

y r s p b - i m a g e sc

o m

copy E l e

a n o r

B e n t a l l

r s p b

- i m a g e s c o m

copyEleanor Bentall rspb-imagescom

copyAnd y Ha y rsp b-imagescom

16 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1731

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

RSPB CONWY NATURE RESERVE

Among the UKrsquos most popularRSPB reserves with plenty to

see throughout the year fromshorebirds returning in the autumn

to dragonflies in summer plus an

exciting timetable of events whichincludes a New Yearrsquos Day Walk and

International Mud Day in June

01492 584091wwwrspborguk

GREAT ORME COUNTRY

PARK VISITOR CENTRE

Discover the Great Ormersquos history

geology and wildlife and take asneaky peak at the seabird colonies

using the lsquoseabird camerarsquo A rangeof leaflets produced by Conwyrsquos

Countryside Service is available atthe Centre

01492 874151wwwconwygovukgreatorme

PENSYCHNANT CONSERVATION

CENTRE AND NATURE RESERVE

The woodland and heathland of

this nature reserve at the top ofConwyrsquos Sychnant Pass is home

to diverse species of wildlife andis a perfect starting point for awalk to the Carneddau mountains

The Centre itself works withnaturalists and wildlife organisations

and hosts regular events

01492 592595wwwpensychnantcouk

NATURE RESERVES

Conwy Countryside Servicemanages a number of naturereserves with diverse habitats ndash

from woodland to sand dunesndash including the wild landscapes

of Conwy Mountain Bodlondeb

Woods with its many speciesof birds and butterflies andDolwyddelan picnic site wherevolunteers created award-winning

flower beds

wwwconwygovukcountryside

SPRING

The new Jubilee Nature Observatory at

RSPB Conwy opens this spring The straw-bale-built structure overlooks one of the

two lagoons and up the Conwy Valley toSnowdonia Use it to spot birds such as

Water rail (similar to moorhens) hidden in

the reeds plus spring butterflies egrets andGrey heron

ldquoI love walking round the reserve on a spring

dayrdquo says Julian Hughes Reserve ManagerldquoWith birds arriving from Africa wild flowersand insects emerging therersquos something new

every dayrdquo

Improvements to the Great Orme CountryPark Visitor Centre will also be completefor spring with a new weather station and

a digital information point The Great Orme

boasts some 400 species of wild flowersin spring with rock roses one of the mostprevalent on its limestone grassland You canalso spot seabirds on the cliffs and Kashmir

goat kids running wild Look out for thewild flower interpretation chart one of the

centrersquos latest publications

SUMMER

A new viewpoint from RSPB Conwyrsquos Ganol

Trail looking across to Conwy Castle willopen for summer to spot oystercatchersand curlews on the islands in the lagoons

You will also see native wild flowers suchas Birdrsquos foot trefoil a food source for the

Common blue butterfly The Great Ormeheathland meanwhile will be in full bloomwith heather and gorse showering purple

and yellow flowers across the landscape

A perfect walking spot for May or June isthe Mynydd Marian Local Nature Reservea small limestone ridge on the edge of

the village of Llysfaen located betweenColwyn Bay and Abergele The limestone

grassland site boasts stunning coastal views

and a rich patchwork of summer flora andfauna including rare species such as Hoary

rockrose Spring cinquefoil and the Silver-studded blue butterfly

AUTUMN

New developments to the nature reserve

with the next stage of the ConwyConnections project at RSPB Conwy will

be complete for autumn The centrepieceof this will be Y Maes (the village square)

which will offer a newly landscaped central

outdoor meeting place It will also providean elevated view across the reserve to the

Conwy Valley Look across the treetops ateye level with the Goldfinches at play

ldquoThe mix of habitats brings people closerto naturerdquo says Julian Hughes ldquoThe reserve

is alive at this time of year with autumncolours fungus frogs and birdlife on the

moverdquo

Also alive in early autumn is the circular

walk through the Penmaenmawr uplands

exploring ancient historical sites from theJubilee Path to the Druidrsquos Circle whilstwalking through a carpet of mixed pinks andpurples with splashes of yellow from heather

gorse and bilberry

WINTER

Enjoy a winter walk at the Pwllycrochan

Woods Local Nature Reserve a deciduouswoodland above Colwyn Bay where

improvements to the woodland pathand new themed information boards areavailable for walkers amongst the native

and exotic trees Listen out for buzzardsnuthatch great spotted woodpecker and

tawny owls while out rambling the fivecircular woodland trails

ldquoWith sweet chestnut sessile oak andsycamore itrsquos a brilliant place to trudge

through the thick carpet of leaves in theautumnrdquo says Countryside Warden LesleyLawson

Finally the four walks around Llanfairfechan

are also ideal for winter wildlife Route one

through the Glan y Mocircr Elias Local NatureReserve is graced with wigeons grazing the

saltmarsh and wading birds on the adjoiningTraeth Lafan mudflats

17

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1831

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1931

The Green Flag Award Scheme is a

national standard of excellence for parksand green spaces To qualify a greenspace must be a welcoming place which

involves the community The awardtakes into consideration such things as

sustainability conservation and heritage

and recognises the hard work of dedicatedparks staff and community groups This

year we are proudly flying no fewerthan nine prestigious Green Flags from

ornamental flowerbeds paths and seatingat Queenrsquos Gardens Colwyn Bay a relaxedenvironment in an otherwise busy area of

the town to Cae Derw Llandudno Junctionwhich has a sensory garden sculptures a

play area and a place to walk the dogSo far more than 50000 daffodil bulbs have been planted at Llandudnorsquos parksgardens and green bits in a bid to secure the title of Daffodil Capital of Wales

Throughout 2012 school youth and childrenrsquos groups the Councilrsquos parksdepartment and local businesses gathered for mass bulb-planting and fund-raising

events competitions and activities with a lsquodaffometerrsquo gauging planting progressThe first yearrsquos planting goal was met (and bettered) last November and all thehard work is due to pay off this year Visit Llandudno in late winter early spring

to be among the first to see the explosions of bright yellow when thousands uponthousands of daffodils burst into bloom throughout the town

wwwdaffodilcapitalofwalescouk

Wales in Bloom is a national campaign designed to embrace the beauty of

Wales Prizes are awarded annually for the best looking towns and take into

consideration environmentally friendly practices and community involvement aswell as horticultural achievement In 2012 Colwyn Bay took home 1st prize the

Gold Award in the Large Town category for a whopping 11th year running Visitand see whatrsquos growing this year

walesinbloomorguk

G A R D E N S A N D G R E E N S P A C E S

Our Green Flags are flying atWynn Garden Old ColwynQueens Garden Colwyn Bay

Bodlondeb Park ConwyHappy Valley Llandudno

Great Orme Country Park LlandudnoPentre Mawr Park Abergele

Cae Derw Llandudno JunctionLlanrhos Lawn Cemetery LlandudnoBryn Euryn Allotments and Local Nature

Reserve Rhos-on-Sea

wwwconwygovuk

19

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2031

Prsquoun ai a ydych chirsquon anturiwr o fri syrsquon hoffi gwthiorsquoch corff arsquoch calon irsquor eithaf neursquon hoffi ymlacio a chwarae golff gyda thyrsquor clwb gerllaw

i chi gael llymaid mae rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn Llandudno a Sir Gonwy O antur ar dir sych i antur ar y mocircr - beth am roi cynnig arrywbeth newydd Beth am fynd ar siglen pum sedd fwyaf Ewrop yn Treetops Adventure neu os ydych chirsquon ddigon dewr beth am feicio

ar hyd llwybr 28km y Marin yng Nghoed Gwydir Yng Nghonwy mae gan ddringo sgiumlo syrffio barcud a cherdded un peth yn gyffredin -golygfeydd godidog o bob cyfeiriad

A C T I V I T I E S

Whether yoursquore a fully fledged outdoor type who likes nothing betterthan a no-holds-barred adrenaline thrill or prefer to spend your

spare time on the golf course with a club house close at hand therersquossomething to please everyone in Llandudno and Conwy County

Wersquove adventures on dry land and on the water Colwyn Bayrsquos eagerly

awaited Watersports Centre is coming soon but in the meantime whynot try something new Whether itrsquos climbing skiing kitesurfing or just

good old fashioned walking they all have one thing in common here

amazing scenery in every direction

20 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 8: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 831

The Great Orme limestone headland is designated a Special Area of Conservation

a Site of Special Scientific Interest a local Nature Reserve and has just received

a Green Flag Award for the fifth year running One of the best ways to see it

and make sure you donrsquot miss anything is to take a guided walk Here four

walkers ndash Sian and Roger Dale and Stella and Mike Lehane ndash join guide

Barry Mortlock on an autumn walk especially designed for over 50s

8 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 931

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1031

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

Many events from this time shaped Walesin terms of its landscape culture andheritage Yet the lives and times of the

Princes of Gwynedd and their strugglesagainst their neighbours both within and

beyond Wales remain one of the leastknown epochs in the story of Wales

ldquoThe Princes presided over a period ofdynamic change in the history of Wales

We owe so many of our notions of cultureand history today to this periodrdquo saysHelen Bradley Heritage Tourism Project

Officer for Conwy County BoroughCouncil

Helen is showing me around the newPrinces of Gwynedd exhibition at the

tourist information centre in the centreof Conwy The exhibition tells the story

of the Princes using maps documentsand sound recordings to capture thespirit of the times From a child-friendly

animation of historical soundbitesto information about life in medieval

Gwynedd during their reign the exhibitionacts as a gateway to a series of sites across

Gwynedd Conwy and the SnowdoniaNational Park

ldquoThe Princes were tactical

strategic players on the

European stage reformingtheir lands and creating

strong political alliances

They were not downtrodden

victims cowering in the

mountainsrdquo adds Helen

The Princes ruled over tribal kingdoms

surviving Saxon attacks and theconstruction of Offarsquos Dyke along theWelsh-English border in the 8th century

Viking raids in the 9th century andwidespread power struggles and in-

fighting within Wales itself It was not untilthe 13th century that the Princes finallyrose to predominance first with Llywelyn

Fawr (the Great) and finally his grandsonLlywelyn ap Gruffydd who was the first

to be known by the title Prince of WalesAfter his death the new Welsh values ofnationhood language and law appeared

threatened forever Indeed it wouldnrsquot

be until the rise of Owain Glyndwr in the1400s that Welsh pride would be restored

Helen goes on to show me round thesecond room of the exhibition which is

dedicated to the cultural legacy of theage of the Princes Despite our dark imageof the times this era saw Welsh literature

and art flourish Indeed Rhys ap Gruffyddconvened the first ever bardic tournament

in 1176 a precursor to the modern-dayEisteddfod The Princes commissionedbards to write eulogies and praise poems

which helped to create a mythologyaround their image and ancestry

ITrsquoS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS DYNASTIES IN WELSH

HISTORY THEIR ST ORY SPANS A PERIOD OF TUMULT

AND CONFLICT FROM THE END OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

TO THE WARS OF INDEPENDENCE AGAINST EDWARD I

10 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1131

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

One featured poem recorded in medieval

Welsh is a praise poem for the Princesby Gynddelw Brydydd Mawr It dates

from 1170 ldquoHe is a spear striking on thebattlefield exalted in his praise hellip His spearis blood-stained as he dispenses his angerrdquo

After a brisk walk around the walls a quicklook into Aberconwy House the townrsquosoldest medieval merchantrsquos quartersdating from around 1300 and lunch at

Lrsquos cool little coffee and bookshop I setout to trace the princesrsquo legacy through

the surrounding landscape I take thescenic Conwy Valley railway line down toLlanrwst via Dolgarrog the line celebrating

its 150th birthday in June this year

The route passes through an RSPBwildlife reserve looking back towards

Conwy Castle and Robert Stephensonrsquosengineering-marvel railway bridge beforeheading onwards through a picture-

postcard landscape past Bodnant GardenBy the time we are approaching North

Llanrwst station the Gwydyr Forest islooming into view

ldquoItrsquos a very different experience to exploreConwy by public transport rather than

drivingrdquo says Larry Davies CommunityRail Officer for Arriva Trains Wales whichis working with local bus companies to

connect key locations along the princesrsquotrail ldquoYou get closer to the scenery closer

to history this wayrdquo he smiles

St Grwstrsquos Church dedicated to the 6th

century Celtic saint who founded thechurch in Llanrwst clings to the banks

of the River Conwy Gwydir Chapel thestone-built chapel adjacent to the main

church and dating from 1633 houses the

stone sarcophagus of Llywelyn the Great

who died in 1240 after a reign spanningfour decades

Llywelyn is regarded as one of the greatest

Welsh princes a powerful 13th centuryruler who fought hard to unite his realmand to play a role on the wider stage

concluding treaties with rulers such asPhillip Augustus of France in 1212 Upon

his death his body was buried first in

Conwy and then moved to Maenan

Abbey outside Llanrwst When HenryVIII dissolved the monasteries in the

16th century Llywelynrsquos stone coffinwas moved to the church in Llanrwst His

body was lost but the elaborately carvedsarcophagus survives

11

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1231

Elsewhere along the line other locationshelp bring the story of the Princes to lifeFor example St Michaelrsquos Church at Betws-

y-Coed features a 14th century limestoneeffigy of Gruffydd ap Dafydd Goch

while the stunning castle at Dolwyddelanwas first built by Llywelyn Fawr andsubsequently modified by Edward I Both

sites are open to visitors

For an overview a dedicated website withan interactive map and a new guidebook

to sites associated with the Princes will beavailable from Spring 2013 for visitors tofind out more

Back in Conwy I finish with a visit to the

World Heritage Site of Conwy Castle oneof the cornerstones of Edward Irsquos iron ringof castles A series of new artworks inside

the castle ruins symbolise fragments of thestory and add depth to the human story

behind the facts of the history books

Llywelynrsquos Coronet a crown atop a towerof shields and swords in the Prison Tower

by the artist Rubin Eynon symbolises the

burning spirit of the people while a rusted-iron sculpture of the head of King Edward Iby Gideon Petersen in the Kingrsquos Chamber

is a ghostly presence

Standing on the defensive parapets ofthe castle I look over the estuary towardsthe former castle site at Deganwy a

stronghold of the Princes ransacked andravaged by generations of invaders Below

is the busy harbour quayside ldquoConwy wasa bustling trading port in the late 13th

century with communities of EnglishWelsh and other nationalitiesrdquo says RoyWilliams Head Custodian at Conwy

Castle ldquoThe castle had its own watergateentrance to allow access for people and

supplies directly from shipsrdquo

Roy and I climb the spiral stairs to the

castlersquos chapel the weight of historyaround us to be greeted with a new

installation of stained glass Garrison of

Flowers The three-pane window tells thestory of the bloody fight between the

Princes of Gwynedd and the English crown

ldquoBy presenting the story of

the princes to visitors to the

castle Irsquove learnt that like

much of history the story is

not black and whiterdquo adds

Roy Williams ldquoI hope these

artworks will make people

think again about Welsh

history ndash and maybe inspire

them to find out morerdquo

We sit for a moment in contemplation ona semi-circular pew carved with verses in

Welsh English and French the languagesspoken in the new borough of Conwy in

the 1280s after the Edwardian ConquestIn the fading light of late afternoon oneparticular verse catches my eye

It reads ldquoLet the eye pierce the mirror of

the past ndash historyrsquos shadow phantom inthe glassrdquo

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

D o l w y d d e

l a n C a s t l e

12 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1331

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1431

Mae yna lawer o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn Llandrillo-yn-Rhos Bae Colwyn Towyn a Bae Cinmel Beth am ddilyn Llwybr Treftadaeth

Llandrillo-yn-Rhos gwibio ar hyd y llwybr beicio neu fynd allan ar y mocircr i ddal eich swper Dewch i gwrdd ag anifeiliaid a chreaduriaid ySw Fynydd Gymreig ym Mae Colwyn neu brynu darn gwreiddiol o gelf yn Oriel Gymunedol y Bae Os nad ydi hynny at eich dant beth am

roi ceiniog neu ddwy ar geffyl yn Nhir Prince Towyn neu fynd i ffair Knightly yn Nhowyn i wylio sioe hud a chael gwers neu ddwy yn yrysgol syrcas

R H O S - O N - S E A C O L W Y N B A Y T O W Y N amp K I N M E L B A Y

Set off for no fewer than three hours of historic discovery from the tiny shoreside chapel

of 6th century Saint Trillo just one of 26 sites on the Rhos-on-Sea Heritage Trail Pack apicnic and have lunch on the beach Grab an ice cream Write a postcard Stroll around

the shops Bring a bike and cycle down the prom or hop aboard a charter boat for a spotof sea fishing and catch your supper Then watch a proper puppet show at the 55-year-

old Harlequin Puppet Theatre the UKrsquos very first permanent marionette theatre

from te coas

T O G E T T H E M O S T 3 D

A Y S

A roam around Rhos

14 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1531

Day 1RHOS-ON-SEA

Sea Fishing Trips

from Rhos-on-Sea

01492 541733 or

07721 532731wwwincentivefishingcouk

Harlequin Puppet Theatre

01492 548166wwwpuppetsukcom

Day 2COLWYN BAY

Welsh Mountain Zoo

01492 532938wwwwelshmountainzooorg

Bay Gallery

07909 893254

Parc Eirias01492 577900wwwconwygovuk

Theatr Colwyn

01492 577888wwwtheatrcolwyncouk

Day 3TOWYN amp KINMEL BAY

Adventure PaintballSt George Abergele

01745 361368wwwadventure-companycouk

Tir Prince Towyn

01745 345123wwwtirprincecouk

Knightlyrsquos Funfair Towyn

01745 351112 or 07836 787789

wwwfunfair-hirecom

These are just a fewthings you can get upto in Rhos-on-Sea

Colwyn Bay Towynand Kinmel Bay to

find out more grab a

copy of the EssentialPocket Guide (2013

edition availablefrom Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

See if you can tell a meerkat from a polecat at the Welsh Mountain

Zoo the National Zoo of Wales After meeting the residents have lunchon the grassy slopes and catch a show at Sealions Rock Do a spot of

art appreciation and bag yourself some original artwork at the award-winning community Bay Gallery Go shopping at the market ndash choose

from classic or local farmersrsquo ndash and grab a bargain or the ingredientsfor dinner Take a tour of the town and a trip down memory lane onthe Heritage Trail or spend the afternoon at Parc Eirias on the bowling

green in the park pool or tennis court Finish off the day with a movieor a stage show at Theatr Colwyn the UKrsquos oldest operating cinema

Kick off day 3 with a gentle bike ride and some knockout sea views onthe cycle path from Colwyn Bay Crank up the pace and battle it out

across 69 acres of open woodland at Adventure Paintball AbergeleTake a breather at Pensarnrsquos quiet beach and treat yourself to some

candy floss Then have a flutter and experience the excitement ofAmerican harness racing at Tir Prince Raceway Towyn Finish your

tour with some classic seaside fun at Knightlyrsquos Funfair where youcan watch a magic show take a lesson at the circus skills schoolhave a game of bingo or a round of crazy golf

15

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1631

Conwy is a great place to get back to nature Better still

therersquos always something to see and do whatever the

season - from wild flowers in spring to migrating birds

in autumn Time your visit well and you could be greeted

by the rasping call of Reed warblers or the song of theReed bunting

There are new developments at the Great Orme County Park

and at the RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve this year But away

from the main sites there is also a host of attractions and

back-to-nature experiences at some of the lesser-known

locations managed by Conwy Countryside Service

We highlight some of the best of Conwyrsquos naturalattractions by season

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

Sir Gonwy ydirsquor lle perffaith i ymgolli ym myd natur beth bynnag y tywydd Bydd datblygiadau newydd ym Mharc Gwledig y Gogarth aGwarchodfa Natur Conwy yn denu ymwelwyr irsquor ardal i fwynhau byd natur ar ei orau

Mae Arsyllfa Natur newydd y warchodfa yn agor yn y gwanwyn ac mae disgwyl irsquor gwelliannau i Ganolfan Ymwelwyr y Gogarth fod wedi

eu cwblhau erbyn hynny hefyd Bydd y Maes man ymgynnull yn y warchodfa yn agor yn barod ar gyfer yr hydref arsquor adar mudo

Mae yna hefyd ddigon o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn rhai o safleoedd llai adnabyddus Gwasanaeth Cefn Gwlad Conwy Er enghraifft

llwybr cerdded newydd yng Ngwarchodfa Natur Coed Pwllycrochan ym Mae Colwyn syrsquon eich tywys trwyrsquor coed collddail

Itrsquos in our nature

copyA n d y H a

y r s p b - i m a g e sc

o m

copy E l e

a n o r

B e n t a l l

r s p b

- i m a g e s c o m

copyEleanor Bentall rspb-imagescom

copyAnd y Ha y rsp b-imagescom

16 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1731

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

RSPB CONWY NATURE RESERVE

Among the UKrsquos most popularRSPB reserves with plenty to

see throughout the year fromshorebirds returning in the autumn

to dragonflies in summer plus an

exciting timetable of events whichincludes a New Yearrsquos Day Walk and

International Mud Day in June

01492 584091wwwrspborguk

GREAT ORME COUNTRY

PARK VISITOR CENTRE

Discover the Great Ormersquos history

geology and wildlife and take asneaky peak at the seabird colonies

using the lsquoseabird camerarsquo A rangeof leaflets produced by Conwyrsquos

Countryside Service is available atthe Centre

01492 874151wwwconwygovukgreatorme

PENSYCHNANT CONSERVATION

CENTRE AND NATURE RESERVE

The woodland and heathland of

this nature reserve at the top ofConwyrsquos Sychnant Pass is home

to diverse species of wildlife andis a perfect starting point for awalk to the Carneddau mountains

The Centre itself works withnaturalists and wildlife organisations

and hosts regular events

01492 592595wwwpensychnantcouk

NATURE RESERVES

Conwy Countryside Servicemanages a number of naturereserves with diverse habitats ndash

from woodland to sand dunesndash including the wild landscapes

of Conwy Mountain Bodlondeb

Woods with its many speciesof birds and butterflies andDolwyddelan picnic site wherevolunteers created award-winning

flower beds

wwwconwygovukcountryside

SPRING

The new Jubilee Nature Observatory at

RSPB Conwy opens this spring The straw-bale-built structure overlooks one of the

two lagoons and up the Conwy Valley toSnowdonia Use it to spot birds such as

Water rail (similar to moorhens) hidden in

the reeds plus spring butterflies egrets andGrey heron

ldquoI love walking round the reserve on a spring

dayrdquo says Julian Hughes Reserve ManagerldquoWith birds arriving from Africa wild flowersand insects emerging therersquos something new

every dayrdquo

Improvements to the Great Orme CountryPark Visitor Centre will also be completefor spring with a new weather station and

a digital information point The Great Orme

boasts some 400 species of wild flowersin spring with rock roses one of the mostprevalent on its limestone grassland You canalso spot seabirds on the cliffs and Kashmir

goat kids running wild Look out for thewild flower interpretation chart one of the

centrersquos latest publications

SUMMER

A new viewpoint from RSPB Conwyrsquos Ganol

Trail looking across to Conwy Castle willopen for summer to spot oystercatchersand curlews on the islands in the lagoons

You will also see native wild flowers suchas Birdrsquos foot trefoil a food source for the

Common blue butterfly The Great Ormeheathland meanwhile will be in full bloomwith heather and gorse showering purple

and yellow flowers across the landscape

A perfect walking spot for May or June isthe Mynydd Marian Local Nature Reservea small limestone ridge on the edge of

the village of Llysfaen located betweenColwyn Bay and Abergele The limestone

grassland site boasts stunning coastal views

and a rich patchwork of summer flora andfauna including rare species such as Hoary

rockrose Spring cinquefoil and the Silver-studded blue butterfly

AUTUMN

New developments to the nature reserve

with the next stage of the ConwyConnections project at RSPB Conwy will

be complete for autumn The centrepieceof this will be Y Maes (the village square)

which will offer a newly landscaped central

outdoor meeting place It will also providean elevated view across the reserve to the

Conwy Valley Look across the treetops ateye level with the Goldfinches at play

ldquoThe mix of habitats brings people closerto naturerdquo says Julian Hughes ldquoThe reserve

is alive at this time of year with autumncolours fungus frogs and birdlife on the

moverdquo

Also alive in early autumn is the circular

walk through the Penmaenmawr uplands

exploring ancient historical sites from theJubilee Path to the Druidrsquos Circle whilstwalking through a carpet of mixed pinks andpurples with splashes of yellow from heather

gorse and bilberry

WINTER

Enjoy a winter walk at the Pwllycrochan

Woods Local Nature Reserve a deciduouswoodland above Colwyn Bay where

improvements to the woodland pathand new themed information boards areavailable for walkers amongst the native

and exotic trees Listen out for buzzardsnuthatch great spotted woodpecker and

tawny owls while out rambling the fivecircular woodland trails

ldquoWith sweet chestnut sessile oak andsycamore itrsquos a brilliant place to trudge

through the thick carpet of leaves in theautumnrdquo says Countryside Warden LesleyLawson

Finally the four walks around Llanfairfechan

are also ideal for winter wildlife Route one

through the Glan y Mocircr Elias Local NatureReserve is graced with wigeons grazing the

saltmarsh and wading birds on the adjoiningTraeth Lafan mudflats

17

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1831

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1931

The Green Flag Award Scheme is a

national standard of excellence for parksand green spaces To qualify a greenspace must be a welcoming place which

involves the community The awardtakes into consideration such things as

sustainability conservation and heritage

and recognises the hard work of dedicatedparks staff and community groups This

year we are proudly flying no fewerthan nine prestigious Green Flags from

ornamental flowerbeds paths and seatingat Queenrsquos Gardens Colwyn Bay a relaxedenvironment in an otherwise busy area of

the town to Cae Derw Llandudno Junctionwhich has a sensory garden sculptures a

play area and a place to walk the dogSo far more than 50000 daffodil bulbs have been planted at Llandudnorsquos parksgardens and green bits in a bid to secure the title of Daffodil Capital of Wales

Throughout 2012 school youth and childrenrsquos groups the Councilrsquos parksdepartment and local businesses gathered for mass bulb-planting and fund-raising

events competitions and activities with a lsquodaffometerrsquo gauging planting progressThe first yearrsquos planting goal was met (and bettered) last November and all thehard work is due to pay off this year Visit Llandudno in late winter early spring

to be among the first to see the explosions of bright yellow when thousands uponthousands of daffodils burst into bloom throughout the town

wwwdaffodilcapitalofwalescouk

Wales in Bloom is a national campaign designed to embrace the beauty of

Wales Prizes are awarded annually for the best looking towns and take into

consideration environmentally friendly practices and community involvement aswell as horticultural achievement In 2012 Colwyn Bay took home 1st prize the

Gold Award in the Large Town category for a whopping 11th year running Visitand see whatrsquos growing this year

walesinbloomorguk

G A R D E N S A N D G R E E N S P A C E S

Our Green Flags are flying atWynn Garden Old ColwynQueens Garden Colwyn Bay

Bodlondeb Park ConwyHappy Valley Llandudno

Great Orme Country Park LlandudnoPentre Mawr Park Abergele

Cae Derw Llandudno JunctionLlanrhos Lawn Cemetery LlandudnoBryn Euryn Allotments and Local Nature

Reserve Rhos-on-Sea

wwwconwygovuk

19

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2031

Prsquoun ai a ydych chirsquon anturiwr o fri syrsquon hoffi gwthiorsquoch corff arsquoch calon irsquor eithaf neursquon hoffi ymlacio a chwarae golff gyda thyrsquor clwb gerllaw

i chi gael llymaid mae rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn Llandudno a Sir Gonwy O antur ar dir sych i antur ar y mocircr - beth am roi cynnig arrywbeth newydd Beth am fynd ar siglen pum sedd fwyaf Ewrop yn Treetops Adventure neu os ydych chirsquon ddigon dewr beth am feicio

ar hyd llwybr 28km y Marin yng Nghoed Gwydir Yng Nghonwy mae gan ddringo sgiumlo syrffio barcud a cherdded un peth yn gyffredin -golygfeydd godidog o bob cyfeiriad

A C T I V I T I E S

Whether yoursquore a fully fledged outdoor type who likes nothing betterthan a no-holds-barred adrenaline thrill or prefer to spend your

spare time on the golf course with a club house close at hand therersquossomething to please everyone in Llandudno and Conwy County

Wersquove adventures on dry land and on the water Colwyn Bayrsquos eagerly

awaited Watersports Centre is coming soon but in the meantime whynot try something new Whether itrsquos climbing skiing kitesurfing or just

good old fashioned walking they all have one thing in common here

amazing scenery in every direction

20 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 9: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 931

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1031

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

Many events from this time shaped Walesin terms of its landscape culture andheritage Yet the lives and times of the

Princes of Gwynedd and their strugglesagainst their neighbours both within and

beyond Wales remain one of the leastknown epochs in the story of Wales

ldquoThe Princes presided over a period ofdynamic change in the history of Wales

We owe so many of our notions of cultureand history today to this periodrdquo saysHelen Bradley Heritage Tourism Project

Officer for Conwy County BoroughCouncil

Helen is showing me around the newPrinces of Gwynedd exhibition at the

tourist information centre in the centreof Conwy The exhibition tells the story

of the Princes using maps documentsand sound recordings to capture thespirit of the times From a child-friendly

animation of historical soundbitesto information about life in medieval

Gwynedd during their reign the exhibitionacts as a gateway to a series of sites across

Gwynedd Conwy and the SnowdoniaNational Park

ldquoThe Princes were tactical

strategic players on the

European stage reformingtheir lands and creating

strong political alliances

They were not downtrodden

victims cowering in the

mountainsrdquo adds Helen

The Princes ruled over tribal kingdoms

surviving Saxon attacks and theconstruction of Offarsquos Dyke along theWelsh-English border in the 8th century

Viking raids in the 9th century andwidespread power struggles and in-

fighting within Wales itself It was not untilthe 13th century that the Princes finallyrose to predominance first with Llywelyn

Fawr (the Great) and finally his grandsonLlywelyn ap Gruffydd who was the first

to be known by the title Prince of WalesAfter his death the new Welsh values ofnationhood language and law appeared

threatened forever Indeed it wouldnrsquot

be until the rise of Owain Glyndwr in the1400s that Welsh pride would be restored

Helen goes on to show me round thesecond room of the exhibition which is

dedicated to the cultural legacy of theage of the Princes Despite our dark imageof the times this era saw Welsh literature

and art flourish Indeed Rhys ap Gruffyddconvened the first ever bardic tournament

in 1176 a precursor to the modern-dayEisteddfod The Princes commissionedbards to write eulogies and praise poems

which helped to create a mythologyaround their image and ancestry

ITrsquoS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS DYNASTIES IN WELSH

HISTORY THEIR ST ORY SPANS A PERIOD OF TUMULT

AND CONFLICT FROM THE END OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

TO THE WARS OF INDEPENDENCE AGAINST EDWARD I

10 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1131

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

One featured poem recorded in medieval

Welsh is a praise poem for the Princesby Gynddelw Brydydd Mawr It dates

from 1170 ldquoHe is a spear striking on thebattlefield exalted in his praise hellip His spearis blood-stained as he dispenses his angerrdquo

After a brisk walk around the walls a quicklook into Aberconwy House the townrsquosoldest medieval merchantrsquos quartersdating from around 1300 and lunch at

Lrsquos cool little coffee and bookshop I setout to trace the princesrsquo legacy through

the surrounding landscape I take thescenic Conwy Valley railway line down toLlanrwst via Dolgarrog the line celebrating

its 150th birthday in June this year

The route passes through an RSPBwildlife reserve looking back towards

Conwy Castle and Robert Stephensonrsquosengineering-marvel railway bridge beforeheading onwards through a picture-

postcard landscape past Bodnant GardenBy the time we are approaching North

Llanrwst station the Gwydyr Forest islooming into view

ldquoItrsquos a very different experience to exploreConwy by public transport rather than

drivingrdquo says Larry Davies CommunityRail Officer for Arriva Trains Wales whichis working with local bus companies to

connect key locations along the princesrsquotrail ldquoYou get closer to the scenery closer

to history this wayrdquo he smiles

St Grwstrsquos Church dedicated to the 6th

century Celtic saint who founded thechurch in Llanrwst clings to the banks

of the River Conwy Gwydir Chapel thestone-built chapel adjacent to the main

church and dating from 1633 houses the

stone sarcophagus of Llywelyn the Great

who died in 1240 after a reign spanningfour decades

Llywelyn is regarded as one of the greatest

Welsh princes a powerful 13th centuryruler who fought hard to unite his realmand to play a role on the wider stage

concluding treaties with rulers such asPhillip Augustus of France in 1212 Upon

his death his body was buried first in

Conwy and then moved to Maenan

Abbey outside Llanrwst When HenryVIII dissolved the monasteries in the

16th century Llywelynrsquos stone coffinwas moved to the church in Llanrwst His

body was lost but the elaborately carvedsarcophagus survives

11

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1231

Elsewhere along the line other locationshelp bring the story of the Princes to lifeFor example St Michaelrsquos Church at Betws-

y-Coed features a 14th century limestoneeffigy of Gruffydd ap Dafydd Goch

while the stunning castle at Dolwyddelanwas first built by Llywelyn Fawr andsubsequently modified by Edward I Both

sites are open to visitors

For an overview a dedicated website withan interactive map and a new guidebook

to sites associated with the Princes will beavailable from Spring 2013 for visitors tofind out more

Back in Conwy I finish with a visit to the

World Heritage Site of Conwy Castle oneof the cornerstones of Edward Irsquos iron ringof castles A series of new artworks inside

the castle ruins symbolise fragments of thestory and add depth to the human story

behind the facts of the history books

Llywelynrsquos Coronet a crown atop a towerof shields and swords in the Prison Tower

by the artist Rubin Eynon symbolises the

burning spirit of the people while a rusted-iron sculpture of the head of King Edward Iby Gideon Petersen in the Kingrsquos Chamber

is a ghostly presence

Standing on the defensive parapets ofthe castle I look over the estuary towardsthe former castle site at Deganwy a

stronghold of the Princes ransacked andravaged by generations of invaders Below

is the busy harbour quayside ldquoConwy wasa bustling trading port in the late 13th

century with communities of EnglishWelsh and other nationalitiesrdquo says RoyWilliams Head Custodian at Conwy

Castle ldquoThe castle had its own watergateentrance to allow access for people and

supplies directly from shipsrdquo

Roy and I climb the spiral stairs to the

castlersquos chapel the weight of historyaround us to be greeted with a new

installation of stained glass Garrison of

Flowers The three-pane window tells thestory of the bloody fight between the

Princes of Gwynedd and the English crown

ldquoBy presenting the story of

the princes to visitors to the

castle Irsquove learnt that like

much of history the story is

not black and whiterdquo adds

Roy Williams ldquoI hope these

artworks will make people

think again about Welsh

history ndash and maybe inspire

them to find out morerdquo

We sit for a moment in contemplation ona semi-circular pew carved with verses in

Welsh English and French the languagesspoken in the new borough of Conwy in

the 1280s after the Edwardian ConquestIn the fading light of late afternoon oneparticular verse catches my eye

It reads ldquoLet the eye pierce the mirror of

the past ndash historyrsquos shadow phantom inthe glassrdquo

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

D o l w y d d e

l a n C a s t l e

12 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1331

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1431

Mae yna lawer o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn Llandrillo-yn-Rhos Bae Colwyn Towyn a Bae Cinmel Beth am ddilyn Llwybr Treftadaeth

Llandrillo-yn-Rhos gwibio ar hyd y llwybr beicio neu fynd allan ar y mocircr i ddal eich swper Dewch i gwrdd ag anifeiliaid a chreaduriaid ySw Fynydd Gymreig ym Mae Colwyn neu brynu darn gwreiddiol o gelf yn Oriel Gymunedol y Bae Os nad ydi hynny at eich dant beth am

roi ceiniog neu ddwy ar geffyl yn Nhir Prince Towyn neu fynd i ffair Knightly yn Nhowyn i wylio sioe hud a chael gwers neu ddwy yn yrysgol syrcas

R H O S - O N - S E A C O L W Y N B A Y T O W Y N amp K I N M E L B A Y

Set off for no fewer than three hours of historic discovery from the tiny shoreside chapel

of 6th century Saint Trillo just one of 26 sites on the Rhos-on-Sea Heritage Trail Pack apicnic and have lunch on the beach Grab an ice cream Write a postcard Stroll around

the shops Bring a bike and cycle down the prom or hop aboard a charter boat for a spotof sea fishing and catch your supper Then watch a proper puppet show at the 55-year-

old Harlequin Puppet Theatre the UKrsquos very first permanent marionette theatre

from te coas

T O G E T T H E M O S T 3 D

A Y S

A roam around Rhos

14 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1531

Day 1RHOS-ON-SEA

Sea Fishing Trips

from Rhos-on-Sea

01492 541733 or

07721 532731wwwincentivefishingcouk

Harlequin Puppet Theatre

01492 548166wwwpuppetsukcom

Day 2COLWYN BAY

Welsh Mountain Zoo

01492 532938wwwwelshmountainzooorg

Bay Gallery

07909 893254

Parc Eirias01492 577900wwwconwygovuk

Theatr Colwyn

01492 577888wwwtheatrcolwyncouk

Day 3TOWYN amp KINMEL BAY

Adventure PaintballSt George Abergele

01745 361368wwwadventure-companycouk

Tir Prince Towyn

01745 345123wwwtirprincecouk

Knightlyrsquos Funfair Towyn

01745 351112 or 07836 787789

wwwfunfair-hirecom

These are just a fewthings you can get upto in Rhos-on-Sea

Colwyn Bay Towynand Kinmel Bay to

find out more grab a

copy of the EssentialPocket Guide (2013

edition availablefrom Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

See if you can tell a meerkat from a polecat at the Welsh Mountain

Zoo the National Zoo of Wales After meeting the residents have lunchon the grassy slopes and catch a show at Sealions Rock Do a spot of

art appreciation and bag yourself some original artwork at the award-winning community Bay Gallery Go shopping at the market ndash choose

from classic or local farmersrsquo ndash and grab a bargain or the ingredientsfor dinner Take a tour of the town and a trip down memory lane onthe Heritage Trail or spend the afternoon at Parc Eirias on the bowling

green in the park pool or tennis court Finish off the day with a movieor a stage show at Theatr Colwyn the UKrsquos oldest operating cinema

Kick off day 3 with a gentle bike ride and some knockout sea views onthe cycle path from Colwyn Bay Crank up the pace and battle it out

across 69 acres of open woodland at Adventure Paintball AbergeleTake a breather at Pensarnrsquos quiet beach and treat yourself to some

candy floss Then have a flutter and experience the excitement ofAmerican harness racing at Tir Prince Raceway Towyn Finish your

tour with some classic seaside fun at Knightlyrsquos Funfair where youcan watch a magic show take a lesson at the circus skills schoolhave a game of bingo or a round of crazy golf

15

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1631

Conwy is a great place to get back to nature Better still

therersquos always something to see and do whatever the

season - from wild flowers in spring to migrating birds

in autumn Time your visit well and you could be greeted

by the rasping call of Reed warblers or the song of theReed bunting

There are new developments at the Great Orme County Park

and at the RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve this year But away

from the main sites there is also a host of attractions and

back-to-nature experiences at some of the lesser-known

locations managed by Conwy Countryside Service

We highlight some of the best of Conwyrsquos naturalattractions by season

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

Sir Gonwy ydirsquor lle perffaith i ymgolli ym myd natur beth bynnag y tywydd Bydd datblygiadau newydd ym Mharc Gwledig y Gogarth aGwarchodfa Natur Conwy yn denu ymwelwyr irsquor ardal i fwynhau byd natur ar ei orau

Mae Arsyllfa Natur newydd y warchodfa yn agor yn y gwanwyn ac mae disgwyl irsquor gwelliannau i Ganolfan Ymwelwyr y Gogarth fod wedi

eu cwblhau erbyn hynny hefyd Bydd y Maes man ymgynnull yn y warchodfa yn agor yn barod ar gyfer yr hydref arsquor adar mudo

Mae yna hefyd ddigon o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn rhai o safleoedd llai adnabyddus Gwasanaeth Cefn Gwlad Conwy Er enghraifft

llwybr cerdded newydd yng Ngwarchodfa Natur Coed Pwllycrochan ym Mae Colwyn syrsquon eich tywys trwyrsquor coed collddail

Itrsquos in our nature

copyA n d y H a

y r s p b - i m a g e sc

o m

copy E l e

a n o r

B e n t a l l

r s p b

- i m a g e s c o m

copyEleanor Bentall rspb-imagescom

copyAnd y Ha y rsp b-imagescom

16 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1731

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

RSPB CONWY NATURE RESERVE

Among the UKrsquos most popularRSPB reserves with plenty to

see throughout the year fromshorebirds returning in the autumn

to dragonflies in summer plus an

exciting timetable of events whichincludes a New Yearrsquos Day Walk and

International Mud Day in June

01492 584091wwwrspborguk

GREAT ORME COUNTRY

PARK VISITOR CENTRE

Discover the Great Ormersquos history

geology and wildlife and take asneaky peak at the seabird colonies

using the lsquoseabird camerarsquo A rangeof leaflets produced by Conwyrsquos

Countryside Service is available atthe Centre

01492 874151wwwconwygovukgreatorme

PENSYCHNANT CONSERVATION

CENTRE AND NATURE RESERVE

The woodland and heathland of

this nature reserve at the top ofConwyrsquos Sychnant Pass is home

to diverse species of wildlife andis a perfect starting point for awalk to the Carneddau mountains

The Centre itself works withnaturalists and wildlife organisations

and hosts regular events

01492 592595wwwpensychnantcouk

NATURE RESERVES

Conwy Countryside Servicemanages a number of naturereserves with diverse habitats ndash

from woodland to sand dunesndash including the wild landscapes

of Conwy Mountain Bodlondeb

Woods with its many speciesof birds and butterflies andDolwyddelan picnic site wherevolunteers created award-winning

flower beds

wwwconwygovukcountryside

SPRING

The new Jubilee Nature Observatory at

RSPB Conwy opens this spring The straw-bale-built structure overlooks one of the

two lagoons and up the Conwy Valley toSnowdonia Use it to spot birds such as

Water rail (similar to moorhens) hidden in

the reeds plus spring butterflies egrets andGrey heron

ldquoI love walking round the reserve on a spring

dayrdquo says Julian Hughes Reserve ManagerldquoWith birds arriving from Africa wild flowersand insects emerging therersquos something new

every dayrdquo

Improvements to the Great Orme CountryPark Visitor Centre will also be completefor spring with a new weather station and

a digital information point The Great Orme

boasts some 400 species of wild flowersin spring with rock roses one of the mostprevalent on its limestone grassland You canalso spot seabirds on the cliffs and Kashmir

goat kids running wild Look out for thewild flower interpretation chart one of the

centrersquos latest publications

SUMMER

A new viewpoint from RSPB Conwyrsquos Ganol

Trail looking across to Conwy Castle willopen for summer to spot oystercatchersand curlews on the islands in the lagoons

You will also see native wild flowers suchas Birdrsquos foot trefoil a food source for the

Common blue butterfly The Great Ormeheathland meanwhile will be in full bloomwith heather and gorse showering purple

and yellow flowers across the landscape

A perfect walking spot for May or June isthe Mynydd Marian Local Nature Reservea small limestone ridge on the edge of

the village of Llysfaen located betweenColwyn Bay and Abergele The limestone

grassland site boasts stunning coastal views

and a rich patchwork of summer flora andfauna including rare species such as Hoary

rockrose Spring cinquefoil and the Silver-studded blue butterfly

AUTUMN

New developments to the nature reserve

with the next stage of the ConwyConnections project at RSPB Conwy will

be complete for autumn The centrepieceof this will be Y Maes (the village square)

which will offer a newly landscaped central

outdoor meeting place It will also providean elevated view across the reserve to the

Conwy Valley Look across the treetops ateye level with the Goldfinches at play

ldquoThe mix of habitats brings people closerto naturerdquo says Julian Hughes ldquoThe reserve

is alive at this time of year with autumncolours fungus frogs and birdlife on the

moverdquo

Also alive in early autumn is the circular

walk through the Penmaenmawr uplands

exploring ancient historical sites from theJubilee Path to the Druidrsquos Circle whilstwalking through a carpet of mixed pinks andpurples with splashes of yellow from heather

gorse and bilberry

WINTER

Enjoy a winter walk at the Pwllycrochan

Woods Local Nature Reserve a deciduouswoodland above Colwyn Bay where

improvements to the woodland pathand new themed information boards areavailable for walkers amongst the native

and exotic trees Listen out for buzzardsnuthatch great spotted woodpecker and

tawny owls while out rambling the fivecircular woodland trails

ldquoWith sweet chestnut sessile oak andsycamore itrsquos a brilliant place to trudge

through the thick carpet of leaves in theautumnrdquo says Countryside Warden LesleyLawson

Finally the four walks around Llanfairfechan

are also ideal for winter wildlife Route one

through the Glan y Mocircr Elias Local NatureReserve is graced with wigeons grazing the

saltmarsh and wading birds on the adjoiningTraeth Lafan mudflats

17

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1831

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1931

The Green Flag Award Scheme is a

national standard of excellence for parksand green spaces To qualify a greenspace must be a welcoming place which

involves the community The awardtakes into consideration such things as

sustainability conservation and heritage

and recognises the hard work of dedicatedparks staff and community groups This

year we are proudly flying no fewerthan nine prestigious Green Flags from

ornamental flowerbeds paths and seatingat Queenrsquos Gardens Colwyn Bay a relaxedenvironment in an otherwise busy area of

the town to Cae Derw Llandudno Junctionwhich has a sensory garden sculptures a

play area and a place to walk the dogSo far more than 50000 daffodil bulbs have been planted at Llandudnorsquos parksgardens and green bits in a bid to secure the title of Daffodil Capital of Wales

Throughout 2012 school youth and childrenrsquos groups the Councilrsquos parksdepartment and local businesses gathered for mass bulb-planting and fund-raising

events competitions and activities with a lsquodaffometerrsquo gauging planting progressThe first yearrsquos planting goal was met (and bettered) last November and all thehard work is due to pay off this year Visit Llandudno in late winter early spring

to be among the first to see the explosions of bright yellow when thousands uponthousands of daffodils burst into bloom throughout the town

wwwdaffodilcapitalofwalescouk

Wales in Bloom is a national campaign designed to embrace the beauty of

Wales Prizes are awarded annually for the best looking towns and take into

consideration environmentally friendly practices and community involvement aswell as horticultural achievement In 2012 Colwyn Bay took home 1st prize the

Gold Award in the Large Town category for a whopping 11th year running Visitand see whatrsquos growing this year

walesinbloomorguk

G A R D E N S A N D G R E E N S P A C E S

Our Green Flags are flying atWynn Garden Old ColwynQueens Garden Colwyn Bay

Bodlondeb Park ConwyHappy Valley Llandudno

Great Orme Country Park LlandudnoPentre Mawr Park Abergele

Cae Derw Llandudno JunctionLlanrhos Lawn Cemetery LlandudnoBryn Euryn Allotments and Local Nature

Reserve Rhos-on-Sea

wwwconwygovuk

19

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2031

Prsquoun ai a ydych chirsquon anturiwr o fri syrsquon hoffi gwthiorsquoch corff arsquoch calon irsquor eithaf neursquon hoffi ymlacio a chwarae golff gyda thyrsquor clwb gerllaw

i chi gael llymaid mae rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn Llandudno a Sir Gonwy O antur ar dir sych i antur ar y mocircr - beth am roi cynnig arrywbeth newydd Beth am fynd ar siglen pum sedd fwyaf Ewrop yn Treetops Adventure neu os ydych chirsquon ddigon dewr beth am feicio

ar hyd llwybr 28km y Marin yng Nghoed Gwydir Yng Nghonwy mae gan ddringo sgiumlo syrffio barcud a cherdded un peth yn gyffredin -golygfeydd godidog o bob cyfeiriad

A C T I V I T I E S

Whether yoursquore a fully fledged outdoor type who likes nothing betterthan a no-holds-barred adrenaline thrill or prefer to spend your

spare time on the golf course with a club house close at hand therersquossomething to please everyone in Llandudno and Conwy County

Wersquove adventures on dry land and on the water Colwyn Bayrsquos eagerly

awaited Watersports Centre is coming soon but in the meantime whynot try something new Whether itrsquos climbing skiing kitesurfing or just

good old fashioned walking they all have one thing in common here

amazing scenery in every direction

20 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 10: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1031

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

Many events from this time shaped Walesin terms of its landscape culture andheritage Yet the lives and times of the

Princes of Gwynedd and their strugglesagainst their neighbours both within and

beyond Wales remain one of the leastknown epochs in the story of Wales

ldquoThe Princes presided over a period ofdynamic change in the history of Wales

We owe so many of our notions of cultureand history today to this periodrdquo saysHelen Bradley Heritage Tourism Project

Officer for Conwy County BoroughCouncil

Helen is showing me around the newPrinces of Gwynedd exhibition at the

tourist information centre in the centreof Conwy The exhibition tells the story

of the Princes using maps documentsand sound recordings to capture thespirit of the times From a child-friendly

animation of historical soundbitesto information about life in medieval

Gwynedd during their reign the exhibitionacts as a gateway to a series of sites across

Gwynedd Conwy and the SnowdoniaNational Park

ldquoThe Princes were tactical

strategic players on the

European stage reformingtheir lands and creating

strong political alliances

They were not downtrodden

victims cowering in the

mountainsrdquo adds Helen

The Princes ruled over tribal kingdoms

surviving Saxon attacks and theconstruction of Offarsquos Dyke along theWelsh-English border in the 8th century

Viking raids in the 9th century andwidespread power struggles and in-

fighting within Wales itself It was not untilthe 13th century that the Princes finallyrose to predominance first with Llywelyn

Fawr (the Great) and finally his grandsonLlywelyn ap Gruffydd who was the first

to be known by the title Prince of WalesAfter his death the new Welsh values ofnationhood language and law appeared

threatened forever Indeed it wouldnrsquot

be until the rise of Owain Glyndwr in the1400s that Welsh pride would be restored

Helen goes on to show me round thesecond room of the exhibition which is

dedicated to the cultural legacy of theage of the Princes Despite our dark imageof the times this era saw Welsh literature

and art flourish Indeed Rhys ap Gruffyddconvened the first ever bardic tournament

in 1176 a precursor to the modern-dayEisteddfod The Princes commissionedbards to write eulogies and praise poems

which helped to create a mythologyaround their image and ancestry

ITrsquoS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS DYNASTIES IN WELSH

HISTORY THEIR ST ORY SPANS A PERIOD OF TUMULT

AND CONFLICT FROM THE END OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

TO THE WARS OF INDEPENDENCE AGAINST EDWARD I

10 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1131

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

One featured poem recorded in medieval

Welsh is a praise poem for the Princesby Gynddelw Brydydd Mawr It dates

from 1170 ldquoHe is a spear striking on thebattlefield exalted in his praise hellip His spearis blood-stained as he dispenses his angerrdquo

After a brisk walk around the walls a quicklook into Aberconwy House the townrsquosoldest medieval merchantrsquos quartersdating from around 1300 and lunch at

Lrsquos cool little coffee and bookshop I setout to trace the princesrsquo legacy through

the surrounding landscape I take thescenic Conwy Valley railway line down toLlanrwst via Dolgarrog the line celebrating

its 150th birthday in June this year

The route passes through an RSPBwildlife reserve looking back towards

Conwy Castle and Robert Stephensonrsquosengineering-marvel railway bridge beforeheading onwards through a picture-

postcard landscape past Bodnant GardenBy the time we are approaching North

Llanrwst station the Gwydyr Forest islooming into view

ldquoItrsquos a very different experience to exploreConwy by public transport rather than

drivingrdquo says Larry Davies CommunityRail Officer for Arriva Trains Wales whichis working with local bus companies to

connect key locations along the princesrsquotrail ldquoYou get closer to the scenery closer

to history this wayrdquo he smiles

St Grwstrsquos Church dedicated to the 6th

century Celtic saint who founded thechurch in Llanrwst clings to the banks

of the River Conwy Gwydir Chapel thestone-built chapel adjacent to the main

church and dating from 1633 houses the

stone sarcophagus of Llywelyn the Great

who died in 1240 after a reign spanningfour decades

Llywelyn is regarded as one of the greatest

Welsh princes a powerful 13th centuryruler who fought hard to unite his realmand to play a role on the wider stage

concluding treaties with rulers such asPhillip Augustus of France in 1212 Upon

his death his body was buried first in

Conwy and then moved to Maenan

Abbey outside Llanrwst When HenryVIII dissolved the monasteries in the

16th century Llywelynrsquos stone coffinwas moved to the church in Llanrwst His

body was lost but the elaborately carvedsarcophagus survives

11

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1231

Elsewhere along the line other locationshelp bring the story of the Princes to lifeFor example St Michaelrsquos Church at Betws-

y-Coed features a 14th century limestoneeffigy of Gruffydd ap Dafydd Goch

while the stunning castle at Dolwyddelanwas first built by Llywelyn Fawr andsubsequently modified by Edward I Both

sites are open to visitors

For an overview a dedicated website withan interactive map and a new guidebook

to sites associated with the Princes will beavailable from Spring 2013 for visitors tofind out more

Back in Conwy I finish with a visit to the

World Heritage Site of Conwy Castle oneof the cornerstones of Edward Irsquos iron ringof castles A series of new artworks inside

the castle ruins symbolise fragments of thestory and add depth to the human story

behind the facts of the history books

Llywelynrsquos Coronet a crown atop a towerof shields and swords in the Prison Tower

by the artist Rubin Eynon symbolises the

burning spirit of the people while a rusted-iron sculpture of the head of King Edward Iby Gideon Petersen in the Kingrsquos Chamber

is a ghostly presence

Standing on the defensive parapets ofthe castle I look over the estuary towardsthe former castle site at Deganwy a

stronghold of the Princes ransacked andravaged by generations of invaders Below

is the busy harbour quayside ldquoConwy wasa bustling trading port in the late 13th

century with communities of EnglishWelsh and other nationalitiesrdquo says RoyWilliams Head Custodian at Conwy

Castle ldquoThe castle had its own watergateentrance to allow access for people and

supplies directly from shipsrdquo

Roy and I climb the spiral stairs to the

castlersquos chapel the weight of historyaround us to be greeted with a new

installation of stained glass Garrison of

Flowers The three-pane window tells thestory of the bloody fight between the

Princes of Gwynedd and the English crown

ldquoBy presenting the story of

the princes to visitors to the

castle Irsquove learnt that like

much of history the story is

not black and whiterdquo adds

Roy Williams ldquoI hope these

artworks will make people

think again about Welsh

history ndash and maybe inspire

them to find out morerdquo

We sit for a moment in contemplation ona semi-circular pew carved with verses in

Welsh English and French the languagesspoken in the new borough of Conwy in

the 1280s after the Edwardian ConquestIn the fading light of late afternoon oneparticular verse catches my eye

It reads ldquoLet the eye pierce the mirror of

the past ndash historyrsquos shadow phantom inthe glassrdquo

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

D o l w y d d e

l a n C a s t l e

12 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1331

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1431

Mae yna lawer o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn Llandrillo-yn-Rhos Bae Colwyn Towyn a Bae Cinmel Beth am ddilyn Llwybr Treftadaeth

Llandrillo-yn-Rhos gwibio ar hyd y llwybr beicio neu fynd allan ar y mocircr i ddal eich swper Dewch i gwrdd ag anifeiliaid a chreaduriaid ySw Fynydd Gymreig ym Mae Colwyn neu brynu darn gwreiddiol o gelf yn Oriel Gymunedol y Bae Os nad ydi hynny at eich dant beth am

roi ceiniog neu ddwy ar geffyl yn Nhir Prince Towyn neu fynd i ffair Knightly yn Nhowyn i wylio sioe hud a chael gwers neu ddwy yn yrysgol syrcas

R H O S - O N - S E A C O L W Y N B A Y T O W Y N amp K I N M E L B A Y

Set off for no fewer than three hours of historic discovery from the tiny shoreside chapel

of 6th century Saint Trillo just one of 26 sites on the Rhos-on-Sea Heritage Trail Pack apicnic and have lunch on the beach Grab an ice cream Write a postcard Stroll around

the shops Bring a bike and cycle down the prom or hop aboard a charter boat for a spotof sea fishing and catch your supper Then watch a proper puppet show at the 55-year-

old Harlequin Puppet Theatre the UKrsquos very first permanent marionette theatre

from te coas

T O G E T T H E M O S T 3 D

A Y S

A roam around Rhos

14 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1531

Day 1RHOS-ON-SEA

Sea Fishing Trips

from Rhos-on-Sea

01492 541733 or

07721 532731wwwincentivefishingcouk

Harlequin Puppet Theatre

01492 548166wwwpuppetsukcom

Day 2COLWYN BAY

Welsh Mountain Zoo

01492 532938wwwwelshmountainzooorg

Bay Gallery

07909 893254

Parc Eirias01492 577900wwwconwygovuk

Theatr Colwyn

01492 577888wwwtheatrcolwyncouk

Day 3TOWYN amp KINMEL BAY

Adventure PaintballSt George Abergele

01745 361368wwwadventure-companycouk

Tir Prince Towyn

01745 345123wwwtirprincecouk

Knightlyrsquos Funfair Towyn

01745 351112 or 07836 787789

wwwfunfair-hirecom

These are just a fewthings you can get upto in Rhos-on-Sea

Colwyn Bay Towynand Kinmel Bay to

find out more grab a

copy of the EssentialPocket Guide (2013

edition availablefrom Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

See if you can tell a meerkat from a polecat at the Welsh Mountain

Zoo the National Zoo of Wales After meeting the residents have lunchon the grassy slopes and catch a show at Sealions Rock Do a spot of

art appreciation and bag yourself some original artwork at the award-winning community Bay Gallery Go shopping at the market ndash choose

from classic or local farmersrsquo ndash and grab a bargain or the ingredientsfor dinner Take a tour of the town and a trip down memory lane onthe Heritage Trail or spend the afternoon at Parc Eirias on the bowling

green in the park pool or tennis court Finish off the day with a movieor a stage show at Theatr Colwyn the UKrsquos oldest operating cinema

Kick off day 3 with a gentle bike ride and some knockout sea views onthe cycle path from Colwyn Bay Crank up the pace and battle it out

across 69 acres of open woodland at Adventure Paintball AbergeleTake a breather at Pensarnrsquos quiet beach and treat yourself to some

candy floss Then have a flutter and experience the excitement ofAmerican harness racing at Tir Prince Raceway Towyn Finish your

tour with some classic seaside fun at Knightlyrsquos Funfair where youcan watch a magic show take a lesson at the circus skills schoolhave a game of bingo or a round of crazy golf

15

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1631

Conwy is a great place to get back to nature Better still

therersquos always something to see and do whatever the

season - from wild flowers in spring to migrating birds

in autumn Time your visit well and you could be greeted

by the rasping call of Reed warblers or the song of theReed bunting

There are new developments at the Great Orme County Park

and at the RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve this year But away

from the main sites there is also a host of attractions and

back-to-nature experiences at some of the lesser-known

locations managed by Conwy Countryside Service

We highlight some of the best of Conwyrsquos naturalattractions by season

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

Sir Gonwy ydirsquor lle perffaith i ymgolli ym myd natur beth bynnag y tywydd Bydd datblygiadau newydd ym Mharc Gwledig y Gogarth aGwarchodfa Natur Conwy yn denu ymwelwyr irsquor ardal i fwynhau byd natur ar ei orau

Mae Arsyllfa Natur newydd y warchodfa yn agor yn y gwanwyn ac mae disgwyl irsquor gwelliannau i Ganolfan Ymwelwyr y Gogarth fod wedi

eu cwblhau erbyn hynny hefyd Bydd y Maes man ymgynnull yn y warchodfa yn agor yn barod ar gyfer yr hydref arsquor adar mudo

Mae yna hefyd ddigon o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn rhai o safleoedd llai adnabyddus Gwasanaeth Cefn Gwlad Conwy Er enghraifft

llwybr cerdded newydd yng Ngwarchodfa Natur Coed Pwllycrochan ym Mae Colwyn syrsquon eich tywys trwyrsquor coed collddail

Itrsquos in our nature

copyA n d y H a

y r s p b - i m a g e sc

o m

copy E l e

a n o r

B e n t a l l

r s p b

- i m a g e s c o m

copyEleanor Bentall rspb-imagescom

copyAnd y Ha y rsp b-imagescom

16 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1731

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

RSPB CONWY NATURE RESERVE

Among the UKrsquos most popularRSPB reserves with plenty to

see throughout the year fromshorebirds returning in the autumn

to dragonflies in summer plus an

exciting timetable of events whichincludes a New Yearrsquos Day Walk and

International Mud Day in June

01492 584091wwwrspborguk

GREAT ORME COUNTRY

PARK VISITOR CENTRE

Discover the Great Ormersquos history

geology and wildlife and take asneaky peak at the seabird colonies

using the lsquoseabird camerarsquo A rangeof leaflets produced by Conwyrsquos

Countryside Service is available atthe Centre

01492 874151wwwconwygovukgreatorme

PENSYCHNANT CONSERVATION

CENTRE AND NATURE RESERVE

The woodland and heathland of

this nature reserve at the top ofConwyrsquos Sychnant Pass is home

to diverse species of wildlife andis a perfect starting point for awalk to the Carneddau mountains

The Centre itself works withnaturalists and wildlife organisations

and hosts regular events

01492 592595wwwpensychnantcouk

NATURE RESERVES

Conwy Countryside Servicemanages a number of naturereserves with diverse habitats ndash

from woodland to sand dunesndash including the wild landscapes

of Conwy Mountain Bodlondeb

Woods with its many speciesof birds and butterflies andDolwyddelan picnic site wherevolunteers created award-winning

flower beds

wwwconwygovukcountryside

SPRING

The new Jubilee Nature Observatory at

RSPB Conwy opens this spring The straw-bale-built structure overlooks one of the

two lagoons and up the Conwy Valley toSnowdonia Use it to spot birds such as

Water rail (similar to moorhens) hidden in

the reeds plus spring butterflies egrets andGrey heron

ldquoI love walking round the reserve on a spring

dayrdquo says Julian Hughes Reserve ManagerldquoWith birds arriving from Africa wild flowersand insects emerging therersquos something new

every dayrdquo

Improvements to the Great Orme CountryPark Visitor Centre will also be completefor spring with a new weather station and

a digital information point The Great Orme

boasts some 400 species of wild flowersin spring with rock roses one of the mostprevalent on its limestone grassland You canalso spot seabirds on the cliffs and Kashmir

goat kids running wild Look out for thewild flower interpretation chart one of the

centrersquos latest publications

SUMMER

A new viewpoint from RSPB Conwyrsquos Ganol

Trail looking across to Conwy Castle willopen for summer to spot oystercatchersand curlews on the islands in the lagoons

You will also see native wild flowers suchas Birdrsquos foot trefoil a food source for the

Common blue butterfly The Great Ormeheathland meanwhile will be in full bloomwith heather and gorse showering purple

and yellow flowers across the landscape

A perfect walking spot for May or June isthe Mynydd Marian Local Nature Reservea small limestone ridge on the edge of

the village of Llysfaen located betweenColwyn Bay and Abergele The limestone

grassland site boasts stunning coastal views

and a rich patchwork of summer flora andfauna including rare species such as Hoary

rockrose Spring cinquefoil and the Silver-studded blue butterfly

AUTUMN

New developments to the nature reserve

with the next stage of the ConwyConnections project at RSPB Conwy will

be complete for autumn The centrepieceof this will be Y Maes (the village square)

which will offer a newly landscaped central

outdoor meeting place It will also providean elevated view across the reserve to the

Conwy Valley Look across the treetops ateye level with the Goldfinches at play

ldquoThe mix of habitats brings people closerto naturerdquo says Julian Hughes ldquoThe reserve

is alive at this time of year with autumncolours fungus frogs and birdlife on the

moverdquo

Also alive in early autumn is the circular

walk through the Penmaenmawr uplands

exploring ancient historical sites from theJubilee Path to the Druidrsquos Circle whilstwalking through a carpet of mixed pinks andpurples with splashes of yellow from heather

gorse and bilberry

WINTER

Enjoy a winter walk at the Pwllycrochan

Woods Local Nature Reserve a deciduouswoodland above Colwyn Bay where

improvements to the woodland pathand new themed information boards areavailable for walkers amongst the native

and exotic trees Listen out for buzzardsnuthatch great spotted woodpecker and

tawny owls while out rambling the fivecircular woodland trails

ldquoWith sweet chestnut sessile oak andsycamore itrsquos a brilliant place to trudge

through the thick carpet of leaves in theautumnrdquo says Countryside Warden LesleyLawson

Finally the four walks around Llanfairfechan

are also ideal for winter wildlife Route one

through the Glan y Mocircr Elias Local NatureReserve is graced with wigeons grazing the

saltmarsh and wading birds on the adjoiningTraeth Lafan mudflats

17

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1831

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1931

The Green Flag Award Scheme is a

national standard of excellence for parksand green spaces To qualify a greenspace must be a welcoming place which

involves the community The awardtakes into consideration such things as

sustainability conservation and heritage

and recognises the hard work of dedicatedparks staff and community groups This

year we are proudly flying no fewerthan nine prestigious Green Flags from

ornamental flowerbeds paths and seatingat Queenrsquos Gardens Colwyn Bay a relaxedenvironment in an otherwise busy area of

the town to Cae Derw Llandudno Junctionwhich has a sensory garden sculptures a

play area and a place to walk the dogSo far more than 50000 daffodil bulbs have been planted at Llandudnorsquos parksgardens and green bits in a bid to secure the title of Daffodil Capital of Wales

Throughout 2012 school youth and childrenrsquos groups the Councilrsquos parksdepartment and local businesses gathered for mass bulb-planting and fund-raising

events competitions and activities with a lsquodaffometerrsquo gauging planting progressThe first yearrsquos planting goal was met (and bettered) last November and all thehard work is due to pay off this year Visit Llandudno in late winter early spring

to be among the first to see the explosions of bright yellow when thousands uponthousands of daffodils burst into bloom throughout the town

wwwdaffodilcapitalofwalescouk

Wales in Bloom is a national campaign designed to embrace the beauty of

Wales Prizes are awarded annually for the best looking towns and take into

consideration environmentally friendly practices and community involvement aswell as horticultural achievement In 2012 Colwyn Bay took home 1st prize the

Gold Award in the Large Town category for a whopping 11th year running Visitand see whatrsquos growing this year

walesinbloomorguk

G A R D E N S A N D G R E E N S P A C E S

Our Green Flags are flying atWynn Garden Old ColwynQueens Garden Colwyn Bay

Bodlondeb Park ConwyHappy Valley Llandudno

Great Orme Country Park LlandudnoPentre Mawr Park Abergele

Cae Derw Llandudno JunctionLlanrhos Lawn Cemetery LlandudnoBryn Euryn Allotments and Local Nature

Reserve Rhos-on-Sea

wwwconwygovuk

19

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2031

Prsquoun ai a ydych chirsquon anturiwr o fri syrsquon hoffi gwthiorsquoch corff arsquoch calon irsquor eithaf neursquon hoffi ymlacio a chwarae golff gyda thyrsquor clwb gerllaw

i chi gael llymaid mae rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn Llandudno a Sir Gonwy O antur ar dir sych i antur ar y mocircr - beth am roi cynnig arrywbeth newydd Beth am fynd ar siglen pum sedd fwyaf Ewrop yn Treetops Adventure neu os ydych chirsquon ddigon dewr beth am feicio

ar hyd llwybr 28km y Marin yng Nghoed Gwydir Yng Nghonwy mae gan ddringo sgiumlo syrffio barcud a cherdded un peth yn gyffredin -golygfeydd godidog o bob cyfeiriad

A C T I V I T I E S

Whether yoursquore a fully fledged outdoor type who likes nothing betterthan a no-holds-barred adrenaline thrill or prefer to spend your

spare time on the golf course with a club house close at hand therersquossomething to please everyone in Llandudno and Conwy County

Wersquove adventures on dry land and on the water Colwyn Bayrsquos eagerly

awaited Watersports Centre is coming soon but in the meantime whynot try something new Whether itrsquos climbing skiing kitesurfing or just

good old fashioned walking they all have one thing in common here

amazing scenery in every direction

20 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 11: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1131

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

One featured poem recorded in medieval

Welsh is a praise poem for the Princesby Gynddelw Brydydd Mawr It dates

from 1170 ldquoHe is a spear striking on thebattlefield exalted in his praise hellip His spearis blood-stained as he dispenses his angerrdquo

After a brisk walk around the walls a quicklook into Aberconwy House the townrsquosoldest medieval merchantrsquos quartersdating from around 1300 and lunch at

Lrsquos cool little coffee and bookshop I setout to trace the princesrsquo legacy through

the surrounding landscape I take thescenic Conwy Valley railway line down toLlanrwst via Dolgarrog the line celebrating

its 150th birthday in June this year

The route passes through an RSPBwildlife reserve looking back towards

Conwy Castle and Robert Stephensonrsquosengineering-marvel railway bridge beforeheading onwards through a picture-

postcard landscape past Bodnant GardenBy the time we are approaching North

Llanrwst station the Gwydyr Forest islooming into view

ldquoItrsquos a very different experience to exploreConwy by public transport rather than

drivingrdquo says Larry Davies CommunityRail Officer for Arriva Trains Wales whichis working with local bus companies to

connect key locations along the princesrsquotrail ldquoYou get closer to the scenery closer

to history this wayrdquo he smiles

St Grwstrsquos Church dedicated to the 6th

century Celtic saint who founded thechurch in Llanrwst clings to the banks

of the River Conwy Gwydir Chapel thestone-built chapel adjacent to the main

church and dating from 1633 houses the

stone sarcophagus of Llywelyn the Great

who died in 1240 after a reign spanningfour decades

Llywelyn is regarded as one of the greatest

Welsh princes a powerful 13th centuryruler who fought hard to unite his realmand to play a role on the wider stage

concluding treaties with rulers such asPhillip Augustus of France in 1212 Upon

his death his body was buried first in

Conwy and then moved to Maenan

Abbey outside Llanrwst When HenryVIII dissolved the monasteries in the

16th century Llywelynrsquos stone coffinwas moved to the church in Llanrwst His

body was lost but the elaborately carvedsarcophagus survives

11

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1231

Elsewhere along the line other locationshelp bring the story of the Princes to lifeFor example St Michaelrsquos Church at Betws-

y-Coed features a 14th century limestoneeffigy of Gruffydd ap Dafydd Goch

while the stunning castle at Dolwyddelanwas first built by Llywelyn Fawr andsubsequently modified by Edward I Both

sites are open to visitors

For an overview a dedicated website withan interactive map and a new guidebook

to sites associated with the Princes will beavailable from Spring 2013 for visitors tofind out more

Back in Conwy I finish with a visit to the

World Heritage Site of Conwy Castle oneof the cornerstones of Edward Irsquos iron ringof castles A series of new artworks inside

the castle ruins symbolise fragments of thestory and add depth to the human story

behind the facts of the history books

Llywelynrsquos Coronet a crown atop a towerof shields and swords in the Prison Tower

by the artist Rubin Eynon symbolises the

burning spirit of the people while a rusted-iron sculpture of the head of King Edward Iby Gideon Petersen in the Kingrsquos Chamber

is a ghostly presence

Standing on the defensive parapets ofthe castle I look over the estuary towardsthe former castle site at Deganwy a

stronghold of the Princes ransacked andravaged by generations of invaders Below

is the busy harbour quayside ldquoConwy wasa bustling trading port in the late 13th

century with communities of EnglishWelsh and other nationalitiesrdquo says RoyWilliams Head Custodian at Conwy

Castle ldquoThe castle had its own watergateentrance to allow access for people and

supplies directly from shipsrdquo

Roy and I climb the spiral stairs to the

castlersquos chapel the weight of historyaround us to be greeted with a new

installation of stained glass Garrison of

Flowers The three-pane window tells thestory of the bloody fight between the

Princes of Gwynedd and the English crown

ldquoBy presenting the story of

the princes to visitors to the

castle Irsquove learnt that like

much of history the story is

not black and whiterdquo adds

Roy Williams ldquoI hope these

artworks will make people

think again about Welsh

history ndash and maybe inspire

them to find out morerdquo

We sit for a moment in contemplation ona semi-circular pew carved with verses in

Welsh English and French the languagesspoken in the new borough of Conwy in

the 1280s after the Edwardian ConquestIn the fading light of late afternoon oneparticular verse catches my eye

It reads ldquoLet the eye pierce the mirror of

the past ndash historyrsquos shadow phantom inthe glassrdquo

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

D o l w y d d e

l a n C a s t l e

12 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1331

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1431

Mae yna lawer o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn Llandrillo-yn-Rhos Bae Colwyn Towyn a Bae Cinmel Beth am ddilyn Llwybr Treftadaeth

Llandrillo-yn-Rhos gwibio ar hyd y llwybr beicio neu fynd allan ar y mocircr i ddal eich swper Dewch i gwrdd ag anifeiliaid a chreaduriaid ySw Fynydd Gymreig ym Mae Colwyn neu brynu darn gwreiddiol o gelf yn Oriel Gymunedol y Bae Os nad ydi hynny at eich dant beth am

roi ceiniog neu ddwy ar geffyl yn Nhir Prince Towyn neu fynd i ffair Knightly yn Nhowyn i wylio sioe hud a chael gwers neu ddwy yn yrysgol syrcas

R H O S - O N - S E A C O L W Y N B A Y T O W Y N amp K I N M E L B A Y

Set off for no fewer than three hours of historic discovery from the tiny shoreside chapel

of 6th century Saint Trillo just one of 26 sites on the Rhos-on-Sea Heritage Trail Pack apicnic and have lunch on the beach Grab an ice cream Write a postcard Stroll around

the shops Bring a bike and cycle down the prom or hop aboard a charter boat for a spotof sea fishing and catch your supper Then watch a proper puppet show at the 55-year-

old Harlequin Puppet Theatre the UKrsquos very first permanent marionette theatre

from te coas

T O G E T T H E M O S T 3 D

A Y S

A roam around Rhos

14 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1531

Day 1RHOS-ON-SEA

Sea Fishing Trips

from Rhos-on-Sea

01492 541733 or

07721 532731wwwincentivefishingcouk

Harlequin Puppet Theatre

01492 548166wwwpuppetsukcom

Day 2COLWYN BAY

Welsh Mountain Zoo

01492 532938wwwwelshmountainzooorg

Bay Gallery

07909 893254

Parc Eirias01492 577900wwwconwygovuk

Theatr Colwyn

01492 577888wwwtheatrcolwyncouk

Day 3TOWYN amp KINMEL BAY

Adventure PaintballSt George Abergele

01745 361368wwwadventure-companycouk

Tir Prince Towyn

01745 345123wwwtirprincecouk

Knightlyrsquos Funfair Towyn

01745 351112 or 07836 787789

wwwfunfair-hirecom

These are just a fewthings you can get upto in Rhos-on-Sea

Colwyn Bay Towynand Kinmel Bay to

find out more grab a

copy of the EssentialPocket Guide (2013

edition availablefrom Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

See if you can tell a meerkat from a polecat at the Welsh Mountain

Zoo the National Zoo of Wales After meeting the residents have lunchon the grassy slopes and catch a show at Sealions Rock Do a spot of

art appreciation and bag yourself some original artwork at the award-winning community Bay Gallery Go shopping at the market ndash choose

from classic or local farmersrsquo ndash and grab a bargain or the ingredientsfor dinner Take a tour of the town and a trip down memory lane onthe Heritage Trail or spend the afternoon at Parc Eirias on the bowling

green in the park pool or tennis court Finish off the day with a movieor a stage show at Theatr Colwyn the UKrsquos oldest operating cinema

Kick off day 3 with a gentle bike ride and some knockout sea views onthe cycle path from Colwyn Bay Crank up the pace and battle it out

across 69 acres of open woodland at Adventure Paintball AbergeleTake a breather at Pensarnrsquos quiet beach and treat yourself to some

candy floss Then have a flutter and experience the excitement ofAmerican harness racing at Tir Prince Raceway Towyn Finish your

tour with some classic seaside fun at Knightlyrsquos Funfair where youcan watch a magic show take a lesson at the circus skills schoolhave a game of bingo or a round of crazy golf

15

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1631

Conwy is a great place to get back to nature Better still

therersquos always something to see and do whatever the

season - from wild flowers in spring to migrating birds

in autumn Time your visit well and you could be greeted

by the rasping call of Reed warblers or the song of theReed bunting

There are new developments at the Great Orme County Park

and at the RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve this year But away

from the main sites there is also a host of attractions and

back-to-nature experiences at some of the lesser-known

locations managed by Conwy Countryside Service

We highlight some of the best of Conwyrsquos naturalattractions by season

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

Sir Gonwy ydirsquor lle perffaith i ymgolli ym myd natur beth bynnag y tywydd Bydd datblygiadau newydd ym Mharc Gwledig y Gogarth aGwarchodfa Natur Conwy yn denu ymwelwyr irsquor ardal i fwynhau byd natur ar ei orau

Mae Arsyllfa Natur newydd y warchodfa yn agor yn y gwanwyn ac mae disgwyl irsquor gwelliannau i Ganolfan Ymwelwyr y Gogarth fod wedi

eu cwblhau erbyn hynny hefyd Bydd y Maes man ymgynnull yn y warchodfa yn agor yn barod ar gyfer yr hydref arsquor adar mudo

Mae yna hefyd ddigon o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn rhai o safleoedd llai adnabyddus Gwasanaeth Cefn Gwlad Conwy Er enghraifft

llwybr cerdded newydd yng Ngwarchodfa Natur Coed Pwllycrochan ym Mae Colwyn syrsquon eich tywys trwyrsquor coed collddail

Itrsquos in our nature

copyA n d y H a

y r s p b - i m a g e sc

o m

copy E l e

a n o r

B e n t a l l

r s p b

- i m a g e s c o m

copyEleanor Bentall rspb-imagescom

copyAnd y Ha y rsp b-imagescom

16 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1731

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

RSPB CONWY NATURE RESERVE

Among the UKrsquos most popularRSPB reserves with plenty to

see throughout the year fromshorebirds returning in the autumn

to dragonflies in summer plus an

exciting timetable of events whichincludes a New Yearrsquos Day Walk and

International Mud Day in June

01492 584091wwwrspborguk

GREAT ORME COUNTRY

PARK VISITOR CENTRE

Discover the Great Ormersquos history

geology and wildlife and take asneaky peak at the seabird colonies

using the lsquoseabird camerarsquo A rangeof leaflets produced by Conwyrsquos

Countryside Service is available atthe Centre

01492 874151wwwconwygovukgreatorme

PENSYCHNANT CONSERVATION

CENTRE AND NATURE RESERVE

The woodland and heathland of

this nature reserve at the top ofConwyrsquos Sychnant Pass is home

to diverse species of wildlife andis a perfect starting point for awalk to the Carneddau mountains

The Centre itself works withnaturalists and wildlife organisations

and hosts regular events

01492 592595wwwpensychnantcouk

NATURE RESERVES

Conwy Countryside Servicemanages a number of naturereserves with diverse habitats ndash

from woodland to sand dunesndash including the wild landscapes

of Conwy Mountain Bodlondeb

Woods with its many speciesof birds and butterflies andDolwyddelan picnic site wherevolunteers created award-winning

flower beds

wwwconwygovukcountryside

SPRING

The new Jubilee Nature Observatory at

RSPB Conwy opens this spring The straw-bale-built structure overlooks one of the

two lagoons and up the Conwy Valley toSnowdonia Use it to spot birds such as

Water rail (similar to moorhens) hidden in

the reeds plus spring butterflies egrets andGrey heron

ldquoI love walking round the reserve on a spring

dayrdquo says Julian Hughes Reserve ManagerldquoWith birds arriving from Africa wild flowersand insects emerging therersquos something new

every dayrdquo

Improvements to the Great Orme CountryPark Visitor Centre will also be completefor spring with a new weather station and

a digital information point The Great Orme

boasts some 400 species of wild flowersin spring with rock roses one of the mostprevalent on its limestone grassland You canalso spot seabirds on the cliffs and Kashmir

goat kids running wild Look out for thewild flower interpretation chart one of the

centrersquos latest publications

SUMMER

A new viewpoint from RSPB Conwyrsquos Ganol

Trail looking across to Conwy Castle willopen for summer to spot oystercatchersand curlews on the islands in the lagoons

You will also see native wild flowers suchas Birdrsquos foot trefoil a food source for the

Common blue butterfly The Great Ormeheathland meanwhile will be in full bloomwith heather and gorse showering purple

and yellow flowers across the landscape

A perfect walking spot for May or June isthe Mynydd Marian Local Nature Reservea small limestone ridge on the edge of

the village of Llysfaen located betweenColwyn Bay and Abergele The limestone

grassland site boasts stunning coastal views

and a rich patchwork of summer flora andfauna including rare species such as Hoary

rockrose Spring cinquefoil and the Silver-studded blue butterfly

AUTUMN

New developments to the nature reserve

with the next stage of the ConwyConnections project at RSPB Conwy will

be complete for autumn The centrepieceof this will be Y Maes (the village square)

which will offer a newly landscaped central

outdoor meeting place It will also providean elevated view across the reserve to the

Conwy Valley Look across the treetops ateye level with the Goldfinches at play

ldquoThe mix of habitats brings people closerto naturerdquo says Julian Hughes ldquoThe reserve

is alive at this time of year with autumncolours fungus frogs and birdlife on the

moverdquo

Also alive in early autumn is the circular

walk through the Penmaenmawr uplands

exploring ancient historical sites from theJubilee Path to the Druidrsquos Circle whilstwalking through a carpet of mixed pinks andpurples with splashes of yellow from heather

gorse and bilberry

WINTER

Enjoy a winter walk at the Pwllycrochan

Woods Local Nature Reserve a deciduouswoodland above Colwyn Bay where

improvements to the woodland pathand new themed information boards areavailable for walkers amongst the native

and exotic trees Listen out for buzzardsnuthatch great spotted woodpecker and

tawny owls while out rambling the fivecircular woodland trails

ldquoWith sweet chestnut sessile oak andsycamore itrsquos a brilliant place to trudge

through the thick carpet of leaves in theautumnrdquo says Countryside Warden LesleyLawson

Finally the four walks around Llanfairfechan

are also ideal for winter wildlife Route one

through the Glan y Mocircr Elias Local NatureReserve is graced with wigeons grazing the

saltmarsh and wading birds on the adjoiningTraeth Lafan mudflats

17

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1831

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1931

The Green Flag Award Scheme is a

national standard of excellence for parksand green spaces To qualify a greenspace must be a welcoming place which

involves the community The awardtakes into consideration such things as

sustainability conservation and heritage

and recognises the hard work of dedicatedparks staff and community groups This

year we are proudly flying no fewerthan nine prestigious Green Flags from

ornamental flowerbeds paths and seatingat Queenrsquos Gardens Colwyn Bay a relaxedenvironment in an otherwise busy area of

the town to Cae Derw Llandudno Junctionwhich has a sensory garden sculptures a

play area and a place to walk the dogSo far more than 50000 daffodil bulbs have been planted at Llandudnorsquos parksgardens and green bits in a bid to secure the title of Daffodil Capital of Wales

Throughout 2012 school youth and childrenrsquos groups the Councilrsquos parksdepartment and local businesses gathered for mass bulb-planting and fund-raising

events competitions and activities with a lsquodaffometerrsquo gauging planting progressThe first yearrsquos planting goal was met (and bettered) last November and all thehard work is due to pay off this year Visit Llandudno in late winter early spring

to be among the first to see the explosions of bright yellow when thousands uponthousands of daffodils burst into bloom throughout the town

wwwdaffodilcapitalofwalescouk

Wales in Bloom is a national campaign designed to embrace the beauty of

Wales Prizes are awarded annually for the best looking towns and take into

consideration environmentally friendly practices and community involvement aswell as horticultural achievement In 2012 Colwyn Bay took home 1st prize the

Gold Award in the Large Town category for a whopping 11th year running Visitand see whatrsquos growing this year

walesinbloomorguk

G A R D E N S A N D G R E E N S P A C E S

Our Green Flags are flying atWynn Garden Old ColwynQueens Garden Colwyn Bay

Bodlondeb Park ConwyHappy Valley Llandudno

Great Orme Country Park LlandudnoPentre Mawr Park Abergele

Cae Derw Llandudno JunctionLlanrhos Lawn Cemetery LlandudnoBryn Euryn Allotments and Local Nature

Reserve Rhos-on-Sea

wwwconwygovuk

19

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2031

Prsquoun ai a ydych chirsquon anturiwr o fri syrsquon hoffi gwthiorsquoch corff arsquoch calon irsquor eithaf neursquon hoffi ymlacio a chwarae golff gyda thyrsquor clwb gerllaw

i chi gael llymaid mae rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn Llandudno a Sir Gonwy O antur ar dir sych i antur ar y mocircr - beth am roi cynnig arrywbeth newydd Beth am fynd ar siglen pum sedd fwyaf Ewrop yn Treetops Adventure neu os ydych chirsquon ddigon dewr beth am feicio

ar hyd llwybr 28km y Marin yng Nghoed Gwydir Yng Nghonwy mae gan ddringo sgiumlo syrffio barcud a cherdded un peth yn gyffredin -golygfeydd godidog o bob cyfeiriad

A C T I V I T I E S

Whether yoursquore a fully fledged outdoor type who likes nothing betterthan a no-holds-barred adrenaline thrill or prefer to spend your

spare time on the golf course with a club house close at hand therersquossomething to please everyone in Llandudno and Conwy County

Wersquove adventures on dry land and on the water Colwyn Bayrsquos eagerly

awaited Watersports Centre is coming soon but in the meantime whynot try something new Whether itrsquos climbing skiing kitesurfing or just

good old fashioned walking they all have one thing in common here

amazing scenery in every direction

20 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 12: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1231

Elsewhere along the line other locationshelp bring the story of the Princes to lifeFor example St Michaelrsquos Church at Betws-

y-Coed features a 14th century limestoneeffigy of Gruffydd ap Dafydd Goch

while the stunning castle at Dolwyddelanwas first built by Llywelyn Fawr andsubsequently modified by Edward I Both

sites are open to visitors

For an overview a dedicated website withan interactive map and a new guidebook

to sites associated with the Princes will beavailable from Spring 2013 for visitors tofind out more

Back in Conwy I finish with a visit to the

World Heritage Site of Conwy Castle oneof the cornerstones of Edward Irsquos iron ringof castles A series of new artworks inside

the castle ruins symbolise fragments of thestory and add depth to the human story

behind the facts of the history books

Llywelynrsquos Coronet a crown atop a towerof shields and swords in the Prison Tower

by the artist Rubin Eynon symbolises the

burning spirit of the people while a rusted-iron sculpture of the head of King Edward Iby Gideon Petersen in the Kingrsquos Chamber

is a ghostly presence

Standing on the defensive parapets ofthe castle I look over the estuary towardsthe former castle site at Deganwy a

stronghold of the Princes ransacked andravaged by generations of invaders Below

is the busy harbour quayside ldquoConwy wasa bustling trading port in the late 13th

century with communities of EnglishWelsh and other nationalitiesrdquo says RoyWilliams Head Custodian at Conwy

Castle ldquoThe castle had its own watergateentrance to allow access for people and

supplies directly from shipsrdquo

Roy and I climb the spiral stairs to the

castlersquos chapel the weight of historyaround us to be greeted with a new

installation of stained glass Garrison of

Flowers The three-pane window tells thestory of the bloody fight between the

Princes of Gwynedd and the English crown

ldquoBy presenting the story of

the princes to visitors to the

castle Irsquove learnt that like

much of history the story is

not black and whiterdquo adds

Roy Williams ldquoI hope these

artworks will make people

think again about Welsh

history ndash and maybe inspire

them to find out morerdquo

We sit for a moment in contemplation ona semi-circular pew carved with verses in

Welsh English and French the languagesspoken in the new borough of Conwy in

the 1280s after the Edwardian ConquestIn the fading light of late afternoon oneparticular verse catches my eye

It reads ldquoLet the eye pierce the mirror of

the past ndash historyrsquos shadow phantom inthe glassrdquo

C O N W Y A N D C O N W Y V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

D o l w y d d e

l a n C a s t l e

12 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1331

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1431

Mae yna lawer o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn Llandrillo-yn-Rhos Bae Colwyn Towyn a Bae Cinmel Beth am ddilyn Llwybr Treftadaeth

Llandrillo-yn-Rhos gwibio ar hyd y llwybr beicio neu fynd allan ar y mocircr i ddal eich swper Dewch i gwrdd ag anifeiliaid a chreaduriaid ySw Fynydd Gymreig ym Mae Colwyn neu brynu darn gwreiddiol o gelf yn Oriel Gymunedol y Bae Os nad ydi hynny at eich dant beth am

roi ceiniog neu ddwy ar geffyl yn Nhir Prince Towyn neu fynd i ffair Knightly yn Nhowyn i wylio sioe hud a chael gwers neu ddwy yn yrysgol syrcas

R H O S - O N - S E A C O L W Y N B A Y T O W Y N amp K I N M E L B A Y

Set off for no fewer than three hours of historic discovery from the tiny shoreside chapel

of 6th century Saint Trillo just one of 26 sites on the Rhos-on-Sea Heritage Trail Pack apicnic and have lunch on the beach Grab an ice cream Write a postcard Stroll around

the shops Bring a bike and cycle down the prom or hop aboard a charter boat for a spotof sea fishing and catch your supper Then watch a proper puppet show at the 55-year-

old Harlequin Puppet Theatre the UKrsquos very first permanent marionette theatre

from te coas

T O G E T T H E M O S T 3 D

A Y S

A roam around Rhos

14 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1531

Day 1RHOS-ON-SEA

Sea Fishing Trips

from Rhos-on-Sea

01492 541733 or

07721 532731wwwincentivefishingcouk

Harlequin Puppet Theatre

01492 548166wwwpuppetsukcom

Day 2COLWYN BAY

Welsh Mountain Zoo

01492 532938wwwwelshmountainzooorg

Bay Gallery

07909 893254

Parc Eirias01492 577900wwwconwygovuk

Theatr Colwyn

01492 577888wwwtheatrcolwyncouk

Day 3TOWYN amp KINMEL BAY

Adventure PaintballSt George Abergele

01745 361368wwwadventure-companycouk

Tir Prince Towyn

01745 345123wwwtirprincecouk

Knightlyrsquos Funfair Towyn

01745 351112 or 07836 787789

wwwfunfair-hirecom

These are just a fewthings you can get upto in Rhos-on-Sea

Colwyn Bay Towynand Kinmel Bay to

find out more grab a

copy of the EssentialPocket Guide (2013

edition availablefrom Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

See if you can tell a meerkat from a polecat at the Welsh Mountain

Zoo the National Zoo of Wales After meeting the residents have lunchon the grassy slopes and catch a show at Sealions Rock Do a spot of

art appreciation and bag yourself some original artwork at the award-winning community Bay Gallery Go shopping at the market ndash choose

from classic or local farmersrsquo ndash and grab a bargain or the ingredientsfor dinner Take a tour of the town and a trip down memory lane onthe Heritage Trail or spend the afternoon at Parc Eirias on the bowling

green in the park pool or tennis court Finish off the day with a movieor a stage show at Theatr Colwyn the UKrsquos oldest operating cinema

Kick off day 3 with a gentle bike ride and some knockout sea views onthe cycle path from Colwyn Bay Crank up the pace and battle it out

across 69 acres of open woodland at Adventure Paintball AbergeleTake a breather at Pensarnrsquos quiet beach and treat yourself to some

candy floss Then have a flutter and experience the excitement ofAmerican harness racing at Tir Prince Raceway Towyn Finish your

tour with some classic seaside fun at Knightlyrsquos Funfair where youcan watch a magic show take a lesson at the circus skills schoolhave a game of bingo or a round of crazy golf

15

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1631

Conwy is a great place to get back to nature Better still

therersquos always something to see and do whatever the

season - from wild flowers in spring to migrating birds

in autumn Time your visit well and you could be greeted

by the rasping call of Reed warblers or the song of theReed bunting

There are new developments at the Great Orme County Park

and at the RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve this year But away

from the main sites there is also a host of attractions and

back-to-nature experiences at some of the lesser-known

locations managed by Conwy Countryside Service

We highlight some of the best of Conwyrsquos naturalattractions by season

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

Sir Gonwy ydirsquor lle perffaith i ymgolli ym myd natur beth bynnag y tywydd Bydd datblygiadau newydd ym Mharc Gwledig y Gogarth aGwarchodfa Natur Conwy yn denu ymwelwyr irsquor ardal i fwynhau byd natur ar ei orau

Mae Arsyllfa Natur newydd y warchodfa yn agor yn y gwanwyn ac mae disgwyl irsquor gwelliannau i Ganolfan Ymwelwyr y Gogarth fod wedi

eu cwblhau erbyn hynny hefyd Bydd y Maes man ymgynnull yn y warchodfa yn agor yn barod ar gyfer yr hydref arsquor adar mudo

Mae yna hefyd ddigon o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn rhai o safleoedd llai adnabyddus Gwasanaeth Cefn Gwlad Conwy Er enghraifft

llwybr cerdded newydd yng Ngwarchodfa Natur Coed Pwllycrochan ym Mae Colwyn syrsquon eich tywys trwyrsquor coed collddail

Itrsquos in our nature

copyA n d y H a

y r s p b - i m a g e sc

o m

copy E l e

a n o r

B e n t a l l

r s p b

- i m a g e s c o m

copyEleanor Bentall rspb-imagescom

copyAnd y Ha y rsp b-imagescom

16 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1731

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

RSPB CONWY NATURE RESERVE

Among the UKrsquos most popularRSPB reserves with plenty to

see throughout the year fromshorebirds returning in the autumn

to dragonflies in summer plus an

exciting timetable of events whichincludes a New Yearrsquos Day Walk and

International Mud Day in June

01492 584091wwwrspborguk

GREAT ORME COUNTRY

PARK VISITOR CENTRE

Discover the Great Ormersquos history

geology and wildlife and take asneaky peak at the seabird colonies

using the lsquoseabird camerarsquo A rangeof leaflets produced by Conwyrsquos

Countryside Service is available atthe Centre

01492 874151wwwconwygovukgreatorme

PENSYCHNANT CONSERVATION

CENTRE AND NATURE RESERVE

The woodland and heathland of

this nature reserve at the top ofConwyrsquos Sychnant Pass is home

to diverse species of wildlife andis a perfect starting point for awalk to the Carneddau mountains

The Centre itself works withnaturalists and wildlife organisations

and hosts regular events

01492 592595wwwpensychnantcouk

NATURE RESERVES

Conwy Countryside Servicemanages a number of naturereserves with diverse habitats ndash

from woodland to sand dunesndash including the wild landscapes

of Conwy Mountain Bodlondeb

Woods with its many speciesof birds and butterflies andDolwyddelan picnic site wherevolunteers created award-winning

flower beds

wwwconwygovukcountryside

SPRING

The new Jubilee Nature Observatory at

RSPB Conwy opens this spring The straw-bale-built structure overlooks one of the

two lagoons and up the Conwy Valley toSnowdonia Use it to spot birds such as

Water rail (similar to moorhens) hidden in

the reeds plus spring butterflies egrets andGrey heron

ldquoI love walking round the reserve on a spring

dayrdquo says Julian Hughes Reserve ManagerldquoWith birds arriving from Africa wild flowersand insects emerging therersquos something new

every dayrdquo

Improvements to the Great Orme CountryPark Visitor Centre will also be completefor spring with a new weather station and

a digital information point The Great Orme

boasts some 400 species of wild flowersin spring with rock roses one of the mostprevalent on its limestone grassland You canalso spot seabirds on the cliffs and Kashmir

goat kids running wild Look out for thewild flower interpretation chart one of the

centrersquos latest publications

SUMMER

A new viewpoint from RSPB Conwyrsquos Ganol

Trail looking across to Conwy Castle willopen for summer to spot oystercatchersand curlews on the islands in the lagoons

You will also see native wild flowers suchas Birdrsquos foot trefoil a food source for the

Common blue butterfly The Great Ormeheathland meanwhile will be in full bloomwith heather and gorse showering purple

and yellow flowers across the landscape

A perfect walking spot for May or June isthe Mynydd Marian Local Nature Reservea small limestone ridge on the edge of

the village of Llysfaen located betweenColwyn Bay and Abergele The limestone

grassland site boasts stunning coastal views

and a rich patchwork of summer flora andfauna including rare species such as Hoary

rockrose Spring cinquefoil and the Silver-studded blue butterfly

AUTUMN

New developments to the nature reserve

with the next stage of the ConwyConnections project at RSPB Conwy will

be complete for autumn The centrepieceof this will be Y Maes (the village square)

which will offer a newly landscaped central

outdoor meeting place It will also providean elevated view across the reserve to the

Conwy Valley Look across the treetops ateye level with the Goldfinches at play

ldquoThe mix of habitats brings people closerto naturerdquo says Julian Hughes ldquoThe reserve

is alive at this time of year with autumncolours fungus frogs and birdlife on the

moverdquo

Also alive in early autumn is the circular

walk through the Penmaenmawr uplands

exploring ancient historical sites from theJubilee Path to the Druidrsquos Circle whilstwalking through a carpet of mixed pinks andpurples with splashes of yellow from heather

gorse and bilberry

WINTER

Enjoy a winter walk at the Pwllycrochan

Woods Local Nature Reserve a deciduouswoodland above Colwyn Bay where

improvements to the woodland pathand new themed information boards areavailable for walkers amongst the native

and exotic trees Listen out for buzzardsnuthatch great spotted woodpecker and

tawny owls while out rambling the fivecircular woodland trails

ldquoWith sweet chestnut sessile oak andsycamore itrsquos a brilliant place to trudge

through the thick carpet of leaves in theautumnrdquo says Countryside Warden LesleyLawson

Finally the four walks around Llanfairfechan

are also ideal for winter wildlife Route one

through the Glan y Mocircr Elias Local NatureReserve is graced with wigeons grazing the

saltmarsh and wading birds on the adjoiningTraeth Lafan mudflats

17

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1831

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1931

The Green Flag Award Scheme is a

national standard of excellence for parksand green spaces To qualify a greenspace must be a welcoming place which

involves the community The awardtakes into consideration such things as

sustainability conservation and heritage

and recognises the hard work of dedicatedparks staff and community groups This

year we are proudly flying no fewerthan nine prestigious Green Flags from

ornamental flowerbeds paths and seatingat Queenrsquos Gardens Colwyn Bay a relaxedenvironment in an otherwise busy area of

the town to Cae Derw Llandudno Junctionwhich has a sensory garden sculptures a

play area and a place to walk the dogSo far more than 50000 daffodil bulbs have been planted at Llandudnorsquos parksgardens and green bits in a bid to secure the title of Daffodil Capital of Wales

Throughout 2012 school youth and childrenrsquos groups the Councilrsquos parksdepartment and local businesses gathered for mass bulb-planting and fund-raising

events competitions and activities with a lsquodaffometerrsquo gauging planting progressThe first yearrsquos planting goal was met (and bettered) last November and all thehard work is due to pay off this year Visit Llandudno in late winter early spring

to be among the first to see the explosions of bright yellow when thousands uponthousands of daffodils burst into bloom throughout the town

wwwdaffodilcapitalofwalescouk

Wales in Bloom is a national campaign designed to embrace the beauty of

Wales Prizes are awarded annually for the best looking towns and take into

consideration environmentally friendly practices and community involvement aswell as horticultural achievement In 2012 Colwyn Bay took home 1st prize the

Gold Award in the Large Town category for a whopping 11th year running Visitand see whatrsquos growing this year

walesinbloomorguk

G A R D E N S A N D G R E E N S P A C E S

Our Green Flags are flying atWynn Garden Old ColwynQueens Garden Colwyn Bay

Bodlondeb Park ConwyHappy Valley Llandudno

Great Orme Country Park LlandudnoPentre Mawr Park Abergele

Cae Derw Llandudno JunctionLlanrhos Lawn Cemetery LlandudnoBryn Euryn Allotments and Local Nature

Reserve Rhos-on-Sea

wwwconwygovuk

19

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2031

Prsquoun ai a ydych chirsquon anturiwr o fri syrsquon hoffi gwthiorsquoch corff arsquoch calon irsquor eithaf neursquon hoffi ymlacio a chwarae golff gyda thyrsquor clwb gerllaw

i chi gael llymaid mae rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn Llandudno a Sir Gonwy O antur ar dir sych i antur ar y mocircr - beth am roi cynnig arrywbeth newydd Beth am fynd ar siglen pum sedd fwyaf Ewrop yn Treetops Adventure neu os ydych chirsquon ddigon dewr beth am feicio

ar hyd llwybr 28km y Marin yng Nghoed Gwydir Yng Nghonwy mae gan ddringo sgiumlo syrffio barcud a cherdded un peth yn gyffredin -golygfeydd godidog o bob cyfeiriad

A C T I V I T I E S

Whether yoursquore a fully fledged outdoor type who likes nothing betterthan a no-holds-barred adrenaline thrill or prefer to spend your

spare time on the golf course with a club house close at hand therersquossomething to please everyone in Llandudno and Conwy County

Wersquove adventures on dry land and on the water Colwyn Bayrsquos eagerly

awaited Watersports Centre is coming soon but in the meantime whynot try something new Whether itrsquos climbing skiing kitesurfing or just

good old fashioned walking they all have one thing in common here

amazing scenery in every direction

20 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 13: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1331

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1431

Mae yna lawer o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn Llandrillo-yn-Rhos Bae Colwyn Towyn a Bae Cinmel Beth am ddilyn Llwybr Treftadaeth

Llandrillo-yn-Rhos gwibio ar hyd y llwybr beicio neu fynd allan ar y mocircr i ddal eich swper Dewch i gwrdd ag anifeiliaid a chreaduriaid ySw Fynydd Gymreig ym Mae Colwyn neu brynu darn gwreiddiol o gelf yn Oriel Gymunedol y Bae Os nad ydi hynny at eich dant beth am

roi ceiniog neu ddwy ar geffyl yn Nhir Prince Towyn neu fynd i ffair Knightly yn Nhowyn i wylio sioe hud a chael gwers neu ddwy yn yrysgol syrcas

R H O S - O N - S E A C O L W Y N B A Y T O W Y N amp K I N M E L B A Y

Set off for no fewer than three hours of historic discovery from the tiny shoreside chapel

of 6th century Saint Trillo just one of 26 sites on the Rhos-on-Sea Heritage Trail Pack apicnic and have lunch on the beach Grab an ice cream Write a postcard Stroll around

the shops Bring a bike and cycle down the prom or hop aboard a charter boat for a spotof sea fishing and catch your supper Then watch a proper puppet show at the 55-year-

old Harlequin Puppet Theatre the UKrsquos very first permanent marionette theatre

from te coas

T O G E T T H E M O S T 3 D

A Y S

A roam around Rhos

14 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1531

Day 1RHOS-ON-SEA

Sea Fishing Trips

from Rhos-on-Sea

01492 541733 or

07721 532731wwwincentivefishingcouk

Harlequin Puppet Theatre

01492 548166wwwpuppetsukcom

Day 2COLWYN BAY

Welsh Mountain Zoo

01492 532938wwwwelshmountainzooorg

Bay Gallery

07909 893254

Parc Eirias01492 577900wwwconwygovuk

Theatr Colwyn

01492 577888wwwtheatrcolwyncouk

Day 3TOWYN amp KINMEL BAY

Adventure PaintballSt George Abergele

01745 361368wwwadventure-companycouk

Tir Prince Towyn

01745 345123wwwtirprincecouk

Knightlyrsquos Funfair Towyn

01745 351112 or 07836 787789

wwwfunfair-hirecom

These are just a fewthings you can get upto in Rhos-on-Sea

Colwyn Bay Towynand Kinmel Bay to

find out more grab a

copy of the EssentialPocket Guide (2013

edition availablefrom Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

See if you can tell a meerkat from a polecat at the Welsh Mountain

Zoo the National Zoo of Wales After meeting the residents have lunchon the grassy slopes and catch a show at Sealions Rock Do a spot of

art appreciation and bag yourself some original artwork at the award-winning community Bay Gallery Go shopping at the market ndash choose

from classic or local farmersrsquo ndash and grab a bargain or the ingredientsfor dinner Take a tour of the town and a trip down memory lane onthe Heritage Trail or spend the afternoon at Parc Eirias on the bowling

green in the park pool or tennis court Finish off the day with a movieor a stage show at Theatr Colwyn the UKrsquos oldest operating cinema

Kick off day 3 with a gentle bike ride and some knockout sea views onthe cycle path from Colwyn Bay Crank up the pace and battle it out

across 69 acres of open woodland at Adventure Paintball AbergeleTake a breather at Pensarnrsquos quiet beach and treat yourself to some

candy floss Then have a flutter and experience the excitement ofAmerican harness racing at Tir Prince Raceway Towyn Finish your

tour with some classic seaside fun at Knightlyrsquos Funfair where youcan watch a magic show take a lesson at the circus skills schoolhave a game of bingo or a round of crazy golf

15

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1631

Conwy is a great place to get back to nature Better still

therersquos always something to see and do whatever the

season - from wild flowers in spring to migrating birds

in autumn Time your visit well and you could be greeted

by the rasping call of Reed warblers or the song of theReed bunting

There are new developments at the Great Orme County Park

and at the RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve this year But away

from the main sites there is also a host of attractions and

back-to-nature experiences at some of the lesser-known

locations managed by Conwy Countryside Service

We highlight some of the best of Conwyrsquos naturalattractions by season

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

Sir Gonwy ydirsquor lle perffaith i ymgolli ym myd natur beth bynnag y tywydd Bydd datblygiadau newydd ym Mharc Gwledig y Gogarth aGwarchodfa Natur Conwy yn denu ymwelwyr irsquor ardal i fwynhau byd natur ar ei orau

Mae Arsyllfa Natur newydd y warchodfa yn agor yn y gwanwyn ac mae disgwyl irsquor gwelliannau i Ganolfan Ymwelwyr y Gogarth fod wedi

eu cwblhau erbyn hynny hefyd Bydd y Maes man ymgynnull yn y warchodfa yn agor yn barod ar gyfer yr hydref arsquor adar mudo

Mae yna hefyd ddigon o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn rhai o safleoedd llai adnabyddus Gwasanaeth Cefn Gwlad Conwy Er enghraifft

llwybr cerdded newydd yng Ngwarchodfa Natur Coed Pwllycrochan ym Mae Colwyn syrsquon eich tywys trwyrsquor coed collddail

Itrsquos in our nature

copyA n d y H a

y r s p b - i m a g e sc

o m

copy E l e

a n o r

B e n t a l l

r s p b

- i m a g e s c o m

copyEleanor Bentall rspb-imagescom

copyAnd y Ha y rsp b-imagescom

16 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1731

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

RSPB CONWY NATURE RESERVE

Among the UKrsquos most popularRSPB reserves with plenty to

see throughout the year fromshorebirds returning in the autumn

to dragonflies in summer plus an

exciting timetable of events whichincludes a New Yearrsquos Day Walk and

International Mud Day in June

01492 584091wwwrspborguk

GREAT ORME COUNTRY

PARK VISITOR CENTRE

Discover the Great Ormersquos history

geology and wildlife and take asneaky peak at the seabird colonies

using the lsquoseabird camerarsquo A rangeof leaflets produced by Conwyrsquos

Countryside Service is available atthe Centre

01492 874151wwwconwygovukgreatorme

PENSYCHNANT CONSERVATION

CENTRE AND NATURE RESERVE

The woodland and heathland of

this nature reserve at the top ofConwyrsquos Sychnant Pass is home

to diverse species of wildlife andis a perfect starting point for awalk to the Carneddau mountains

The Centre itself works withnaturalists and wildlife organisations

and hosts regular events

01492 592595wwwpensychnantcouk

NATURE RESERVES

Conwy Countryside Servicemanages a number of naturereserves with diverse habitats ndash

from woodland to sand dunesndash including the wild landscapes

of Conwy Mountain Bodlondeb

Woods with its many speciesof birds and butterflies andDolwyddelan picnic site wherevolunteers created award-winning

flower beds

wwwconwygovukcountryside

SPRING

The new Jubilee Nature Observatory at

RSPB Conwy opens this spring The straw-bale-built structure overlooks one of the

two lagoons and up the Conwy Valley toSnowdonia Use it to spot birds such as

Water rail (similar to moorhens) hidden in

the reeds plus spring butterflies egrets andGrey heron

ldquoI love walking round the reserve on a spring

dayrdquo says Julian Hughes Reserve ManagerldquoWith birds arriving from Africa wild flowersand insects emerging therersquos something new

every dayrdquo

Improvements to the Great Orme CountryPark Visitor Centre will also be completefor spring with a new weather station and

a digital information point The Great Orme

boasts some 400 species of wild flowersin spring with rock roses one of the mostprevalent on its limestone grassland You canalso spot seabirds on the cliffs and Kashmir

goat kids running wild Look out for thewild flower interpretation chart one of the

centrersquos latest publications

SUMMER

A new viewpoint from RSPB Conwyrsquos Ganol

Trail looking across to Conwy Castle willopen for summer to spot oystercatchersand curlews on the islands in the lagoons

You will also see native wild flowers suchas Birdrsquos foot trefoil a food source for the

Common blue butterfly The Great Ormeheathland meanwhile will be in full bloomwith heather and gorse showering purple

and yellow flowers across the landscape

A perfect walking spot for May or June isthe Mynydd Marian Local Nature Reservea small limestone ridge on the edge of

the village of Llysfaen located betweenColwyn Bay and Abergele The limestone

grassland site boasts stunning coastal views

and a rich patchwork of summer flora andfauna including rare species such as Hoary

rockrose Spring cinquefoil and the Silver-studded blue butterfly

AUTUMN

New developments to the nature reserve

with the next stage of the ConwyConnections project at RSPB Conwy will

be complete for autumn The centrepieceof this will be Y Maes (the village square)

which will offer a newly landscaped central

outdoor meeting place It will also providean elevated view across the reserve to the

Conwy Valley Look across the treetops ateye level with the Goldfinches at play

ldquoThe mix of habitats brings people closerto naturerdquo says Julian Hughes ldquoThe reserve

is alive at this time of year with autumncolours fungus frogs and birdlife on the

moverdquo

Also alive in early autumn is the circular

walk through the Penmaenmawr uplands

exploring ancient historical sites from theJubilee Path to the Druidrsquos Circle whilstwalking through a carpet of mixed pinks andpurples with splashes of yellow from heather

gorse and bilberry

WINTER

Enjoy a winter walk at the Pwllycrochan

Woods Local Nature Reserve a deciduouswoodland above Colwyn Bay where

improvements to the woodland pathand new themed information boards areavailable for walkers amongst the native

and exotic trees Listen out for buzzardsnuthatch great spotted woodpecker and

tawny owls while out rambling the fivecircular woodland trails

ldquoWith sweet chestnut sessile oak andsycamore itrsquos a brilliant place to trudge

through the thick carpet of leaves in theautumnrdquo says Countryside Warden LesleyLawson

Finally the four walks around Llanfairfechan

are also ideal for winter wildlife Route one

through the Glan y Mocircr Elias Local NatureReserve is graced with wigeons grazing the

saltmarsh and wading birds on the adjoiningTraeth Lafan mudflats

17

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1831

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1931

The Green Flag Award Scheme is a

national standard of excellence for parksand green spaces To qualify a greenspace must be a welcoming place which

involves the community The awardtakes into consideration such things as

sustainability conservation and heritage

and recognises the hard work of dedicatedparks staff and community groups This

year we are proudly flying no fewerthan nine prestigious Green Flags from

ornamental flowerbeds paths and seatingat Queenrsquos Gardens Colwyn Bay a relaxedenvironment in an otherwise busy area of

the town to Cae Derw Llandudno Junctionwhich has a sensory garden sculptures a

play area and a place to walk the dogSo far more than 50000 daffodil bulbs have been planted at Llandudnorsquos parksgardens and green bits in a bid to secure the title of Daffodil Capital of Wales

Throughout 2012 school youth and childrenrsquos groups the Councilrsquos parksdepartment and local businesses gathered for mass bulb-planting and fund-raising

events competitions and activities with a lsquodaffometerrsquo gauging planting progressThe first yearrsquos planting goal was met (and bettered) last November and all thehard work is due to pay off this year Visit Llandudno in late winter early spring

to be among the first to see the explosions of bright yellow when thousands uponthousands of daffodils burst into bloom throughout the town

wwwdaffodilcapitalofwalescouk

Wales in Bloom is a national campaign designed to embrace the beauty of

Wales Prizes are awarded annually for the best looking towns and take into

consideration environmentally friendly practices and community involvement aswell as horticultural achievement In 2012 Colwyn Bay took home 1st prize the

Gold Award in the Large Town category for a whopping 11th year running Visitand see whatrsquos growing this year

walesinbloomorguk

G A R D E N S A N D G R E E N S P A C E S

Our Green Flags are flying atWynn Garden Old ColwynQueens Garden Colwyn Bay

Bodlondeb Park ConwyHappy Valley Llandudno

Great Orme Country Park LlandudnoPentre Mawr Park Abergele

Cae Derw Llandudno JunctionLlanrhos Lawn Cemetery LlandudnoBryn Euryn Allotments and Local Nature

Reserve Rhos-on-Sea

wwwconwygovuk

19

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2031

Prsquoun ai a ydych chirsquon anturiwr o fri syrsquon hoffi gwthiorsquoch corff arsquoch calon irsquor eithaf neursquon hoffi ymlacio a chwarae golff gyda thyrsquor clwb gerllaw

i chi gael llymaid mae rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn Llandudno a Sir Gonwy O antur ar dir sych i antur ar y mocircr - beth am roi cynnig arrywbeth newydd Beth am fynd ar siglen pum sedd fwyaf Ewrop yn Treetops Adventure neu os ydych chirsquon ddigon dewr beth am feicio

ar hyd llwybr 28km y Marin yng Nghoed Gwydir Yng Nghonwy mae gan ddringo sgiumlo syrffio barcud a cherdded un peth yn gyffredin -golygfeydd godidog o bob cyfeiriad

A C T I V I T I E S

Whether yoursquore a fully fledged outdoor type who likes nothing betterthan a no-holds-barred adrenaline thrill or prefer to spend your

spare time on the golf course with a club house close at hand therersquossomething to please everyone in Llandudno and Conwy County

Wersquove adventures on dry land and on the water Colwyn Bayrsquos eagerly

awaited Watersports Centre is coming soon but in the meantime whynot try something new Whether itrsquos climbing skiing kitesurfing or just

good old fashioned walking they all have one thing in common here

amazing scenery in every direction

20 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 14: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1431

Mae yna lawer o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn Llandrillo-yn-Rhos Bae Colwyn Towyn a Bae Cinmel Beth am ddilyn Llwybr Treftadaeth

Llandrillo-yn-Rhos gwibio ar hyd y llwybr beicio neu fynd allan ar y mocircr i ddal eich swper Dewch i gwrdd ag anifeiliaid a chreaduriaid ySw Fynydd Gymreig ym Mae Colwyn neu brynu darn gwreiddiol o gelf yn Oriel Gymunedol y Bae Os nad ydi hynny at eich dant beth am

roi ceiniog neu ddwy ar geffyl yn Nhir Prince Towyn neu fynd i ffair Knightly yn Nhowyn i wylio sioe hud a chael gwers neu ddwy yn yrysgol syrcas

R H O S - O N - S E A C O L W Y N B A Y T O W Y N amp K I N M E L B A Y

Set off for no fewer than three hours of historic discovery from the tiny shoreside chapel

of 6th century Saint Trillo just one of 26 sites on the Rhos-on-Sea Heritage Trail Pack apicnic and have lunch on the beach Grab an ice cream Write a postcard Stroll around

the shops Bring a bike and cycle down the prom or hop aboard a charter boat for a spotof sea fishing and catch your supper Then watch a proper puppet show at the 55-year-

old Harlequin Puppet Theatre the UKrsquos very first permanent marionette theatre

from te coas

T O G E T T H E M O S T 3 D

A Y S

A roam around Rhos

14 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1531

Day 1RHOS-ON-SEA

Sea Fishing Trips

from Rhos-on-Sea

01492 541733 or

07721 532731wwwincentivefishingcouk

Harlequin Puppet Theatre

01492 548166wwwpuppetsukcom

Day 2COLWYN BAY

Welsh Mountain Zoo

01492 532938wwwwelshmountainzooorg

Bay Gallery

07909 893254

Parc Eirias01492 577900wwwconwygovuk

Theatr Colwyn

01492 577888wwwtheatrcolwyncouk

Day 3TOWYN amp KINMEL BAY

Adventure PaintballSt George Abergele

01745 361368wwwadventure-companycouk

Tir Prince Towyn

01745 345123wwwtirprincecouk

Knightlyrsquos Funfair Towyn

01745 351112 or 07836 787789

wwwfunfair-hirecom

These are just a fewthings you can get upto in Rhos-on-Sea

Colwyn Bay Towynand Kinmel Bay to

find out more grab a

copy of the EssentialPocket Guide (2013

edition availablefrom Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

See if you can tell a meerkat from a polecat at the Welsh Mountain

Zoo the National Zoo of Wales After meeting the residents have lunchon the grassy slopes and catch a show at Sealions Rock Do a spot of

art appreciation and bag yourself some original artwork at the award-winning community Bay Gallery Go shopping at the market ndash choose

from classic or local farmersrsquo ndash and grab a bargain or the ingredientsfor dinner Take a tour of the town and a trip down memory lane onthe Heritage Trail or spend the afternoon at Parc Eirias on the bowling

green in the park pool or tennis court Finish off the day with a movieor a stage show at Theatr Colwyn the UKrsquos oldest operating cinema

Kick off day 3 with a gentle bike ride and some knockout sea views onthe cycle path from Colwyn Bay Crank up the pace and battle it out

across 69 acres of open woodland at Adventure Paintball AbergeleTake a breather at Pensarnrsquos quiet beach and treat yourself to some

candy floss Then have a flutter and experience the excitement ofAmerican harness racing at Tir Prince Raceway Towyn Finish your

tour with some classic seaside fun at Knightlyrsquos Funfair where youcan watch a magic show take a lesson at the circus skills schoolhave a game of bingo or a round of crazy golf

15

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1631

Conwy is a great place to get back to nature Better still

therersquos always something to see and do whatever the

season - from wild flowers in spring to migrating birds

in autumn Time your visit well and you could be greeted

by the rasping call of Reed warblers or the song of theReed bunting

There are new developments at the Great Orme County Park

and at the RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve this year But away

from the main sites there is also a host of attractions and

back-to-nature experiences at some of the lesser-known

locations managed by Conwy Countryside Service

We highlight some of the best of Conwyrsquos naturalattractions by season

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

Sir Gonwy ydirsquor lle perffaith i ymgolli ym myd natur beth bynnag y tywydd Bydd datblygiadau newydd ym Mharc Gwledig y Gogarth aGwarchodfa Natur Conwy yn denu ymwelwyr irsquor ardal i fwynhau byd natur ar ei orau

Mae Arsyllfa Natur newydd y warchodfa yn agor yn y gwanwyn ac mae disgwyl irsquor gwelliannau i Ganolfan Ymwelwyr y Gogarth fod wedi

eu cwblhau erbyn hynny hefyd Bydd y Maes man ymgynnull yn y warchodfa yn agor yn barod ar gyfer yr hydref arsquor adar mudo

Mae yna hefyd ddigon o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn rhai o safleoedd llai adnabyddus Gwasanaeth Cefn Gwlad Conwy Er enghraifft

llwybr cerdded newydd yng Ngwarchodfa Natur Coed Pwllycrochan ym Mae Colwyn syrsquon eich tywys trwyrsquor coed collddail

Itrsquos in our nature

copyA n d y H a

y r s p b - i m a g e sc

o m

copy E l e

a n o r

B e n t a l l

r s p b

- i m a g e s c o m

copyEleanor Bentall rspb-imagescom

copyAnd y Ha y rsp b-imagescom

16 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1731

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

RSPB CONWY NATURE RESERVE

Among the UKrsquos most popularRSPB reserves with plenty to

see throughout the year fromshorebirds returning in the autumn

to dragonflies in summer plus an

exciting timetable of events whichincludes a New Yearrsquos Day Walk and

International Mud Day in June

01492 584091wwwrspborguk

GREAT ORME COUNTRY

PARK VISITOR CENTRE

Discover the Great Ormersquos history

geology and wildlife and take asneaky peak at the seabird colonies

using the lsquoseabird camerarsquo A rangeof leaflets produced by Conwyrsquos

Countryside Service is available atthe Centre

01492 874151wwwconwygovukgreatorme

PENSYCHNANT CONSERVATION

CENTRE AND NATURE RESERVE

The woodland and heathland of

this nature reserve at the top ofConwyrsquos Sychnant Pass is home

to diverse species of wildlife andis a perfect starting point for awalk to the Carneddau mountains

The Centre itself works withnaturalists and wildlife organisations

and hosts regular events

01492 592595wwwpensychnantcouk

NATURE RESERVES

Conwy Countryside Servicemanages a number of naturereserves with diverse habitats ndash

from woodland to sand dunesndash including the wild landscapes

of Conwy Mountain Bodlondeb

Woods with its many speciesof birds and butterflies andDolwyddelan picnic site wherevolunteers created award-winning

flower beds

wwwconwygovukcountryside

SPRING

The new Jubilee Nature Observatory at

RSPB Conwy opens this spring The straw-bale-built structure overlooks one of the

two lagoons and up the Conwy Valley toSnowdonia Use it to spot birds such as

Water rail (similar to moorhens) hidden in

the reeds plus spring butterflies egrets andGrey heron

ldquoI love walking round the reserve on a spring

dayrdquo says Julian Hughes Reserve ManagerldquoWith birds arriving from Africa wild flowersand insects emerging therersquos something new

every dayrdquo

Improvements to the Great Orme CountryPark Visitor Centre will also be completefor spring with a new weather station and

a digital information point The Great Orme

boasts some 400 species of wild flowersin spring with rock roses one of the mostprevalent on its limestone grassland You canalso spot seabirds on the cliffs and Kashmir

goat kids running wild Look out for thewild flower interpretation chart one of the

centrersquos latest publications

SUMMER

A new viewpoint from RSPB Conwyrsquos Ganol

Trail looking across to Conwy Castle willopen for summer to spot oystercatchersand curlews on the islands in the lagoons

You will also see native wild flowers suchas Birdrsquos foot trefoil a food source for the

Common blue butterfly The Great Ormeheathland meanwhile will be in full bloomwith heather and gorse showering purple

and yellow flowers across the landscape

A perfect walking spot for May or June isthe Mynydd Marian Local Nature Reservea small limestone ridge on the edge of

the village of Llysfaen located betweenColwyn Bay and Abergele The limestone

grassland site boasts stunning coastal views

and a rich patchwork of summer flora andfauna including rare species such as Hoary

rockrose Spring cinquefoil and the Silver-studded blue butterfly

AUTUMN

New developments to the nature reserve

with the next stage of the ConwyConnections project at RSPB Conwy will

be complete for autumn The centrepieceof this will be Y Maes (the village square)

which will offer a newly landscaped central

outdoor meeting place It will also providean elevated view across the reserve to the

Conwy Valley Look across the treetops ateye level with the Goldfinches at play

ldquoThe mix of habitats brings people closerto naturerdquo says Julian Hughes ldquoThe reserve

is alive at this time of year with autumncolours fungus frogs and birdlife on the

moverdquo

Also alive in early autumn is the circular

walk through the Penmaenmawr uplands

exploring ancient historical sites from theJubilee Path to the Druidrsquos Circle whilstwalking through a carpet of mixed pinks andpurples with splashes of yellow from heather

gorse and bilberry

WINTER

Enjoy a winter walk at the Pwllycrochan

Woods Local Nature Reserve a deciduouswoodland above Colwyn Bay where

improvements to the woodland pathand new themed information boards areavailable for walkers amongst the native

and exotic trees Listen out for buzzardsnuthatch great spotted woodpecker and

tawny owls while out rambling the fivecircular woodland trails

ldquoWith sweet chestnut sessile oak andsycamore itrsquos a brilliant place to trudge

through the thick carpet of leaves in theautumnrdquo says Countryside Warden LesleyLawson

Finally the four walks around Llanfairfechan

are also ideal for winter wildlife Route one

through the Glan y Mocircr Elias Local NatureReserve is graced with wigeons grazing the

saltmarsh and wading birds on the adjoiningTraeth Lafan mudflats

17

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1831

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1931

The Green Flag Award Scheme is a

national standard of excellence for parksand green spaces To qualify a greenspace must be a welcoming place which

involves the community The awardtakes into consideration such things as

sustainability conservation and heritage

and recognises the hard work of dedicatedparks staff and community groups This

year we are proudly flying no fewerthan nine prestigious Green Flags from

ornamental flowerbeds paths and seatingat Queenrsquos Gardens Colwyn Bay a relaxedenvironment in an otherwise busy area of

the town to Cae Derw Llandudno Junctionwhich has a sensory garden sculptures a

play area and a place to walk the dogSo far more than 50000 daffodil bulbs have been planted at Llandudnorsquos parksgardens and green bits in a bid to secure the title of Daffodil Capital of Wales

Throughout 2012 school youth and childrenrsquos groups the Councilrsquos parksdepartment and local businesses gathered for mass bulb-planting and fund-raising

events competitions and activities with a lsquodaffometerrsquo gauging planting progressThe first yearrsquos planting goal was met (and bettered) last November and all thehard work is due to pay off this year Visit Llandudno in late winter early spring

to be among the first to see the explosions of bright yellow when thousands uponthousands of daffodils burst into bloom throughout the town

wwwdaffodilcapitalofwalescouk

Wales in Bloom is a national campaign designed to embrace the beauty of

Wales Prizes are awarded annually for the best looking towns and take into

consideration environmentally friendly practices and community involvement aswell as horticultural achievement In 2012 Colwyn Bay took home 1st prize the

Gold Award in the Large Town category for a whopping 11th year running Visitand see whatrsquos growing this year

walesinbloomorguk

G A R D E N S A N D G R E E N S P A C E S

Our Green Flags are flying atWynn Garden Old ColwynQueens Garden Colwyn Bay

Bodlondeb Park ConwyHappy Valley Llandudno

Great Orme Country Park LlandudnoPentre Mawr Park Abergele

Cae Derw Llandudno JunctionLlanrhos Lawn Cemetery LlandudnoBryn Euryn Allotments and Local Nature

Reserve Rhos-on-Sea

wwwconwygovuk

19

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2031

Prsquoun ai a ydych chirsquon anturiwr o fri syrsquon hoffi gwthiorsquoch corff arsquoch calon irsquor eithaf neursquon hoffi ymlacio a chwarae golff gyda thyrsquor clwb gerllaw

i chi gael llymaid mae rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn Llandudno a Sir Gonwy O antur ar dir sych i antur ar y mocircr - beth am roi cynnig arrywbeth newydd Beth am fynd ar siglen pum sedd fwyaf Ewrop yn Treetops Adventure neu os ydych chirsquon ddigon dewr beth am feicio

ar hyd llwybr 28km y Marin yng Nghoed Gwydir Yng Nghonwy mae gan ddringo sgiumlo syrffio barcud a cherdded un peth yn gyffredin -golygfeydd godidog o bob cyfeiriad

A C T I V I T I E S

Whether yoursquore a fully fledged outdoor type who likes nothing betterthan a no-holds-barred adrenaline thrill or prefer to spend your

spare time on the golf course with a club house close at hand therersquossomething to please everyone in Llandudno and Conwy County

Wersquove adventures on dry land and on the water Colwyn Bayrsquos eagerly

awaited Watersports Centre is coming soon but in the meantime whynot try something new Whether itrsquos climbing skiing kitesurfing or just

good old fashioned walking they all have one thing in common here

amazing scenery in every direction

20 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 15: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1531

Day 1RHOS-ON-SEA

Sea Fishing Trips

from Rhos-on-Sea

01492 541733 or

07721 532731wwwincentivefishingcouk

Harlequin Puppet Theatre

01492 548166wwwpuppetsukcom

Day 2COLWYN BAY

Welsh Mountain Zoo

01492 532938wwwwelshmountainzooorg

Bay Gallery

07909 893254

Parc Eirias01492 577900wwwconwygovuk

Theatr Colwyn

01492 577888wwwtheatrcolwyncouk

Day 3TOWYN amp KINMEL BAY

Adventure PaintballSt George Abergele

01745 361368wwwadventure-companycouk

Tir Prince Towyn

01745 345123wwwtirprincecouk

Knightlyrsquos Funfair Towyn

01745 351112 or 07836 787789

wwwfunfair-hirecom

These are just a fewthings you can get upto in Rhos-on-Sea

Colwyn Bay Towynand Kinmel Bay to

find out more grab a

copy of the EssentialPocket Guide (2013

edition availablefrom Easter) or visit

wwwvisitllandudnoorguk

See if you can tell a meerkat from a polecat at the Welsh Mountain

Zoo the National Zoo of Wales After meeting the residents have lunchon the grassy slopes and catch a show at Sealions Rock Do a spot of

art appreciation and bag yourself some original artwork at the award-winning community Bay Gallery Go shopping at the market ndash choose

from classic or local farmersrsquo ndash and grab a bargain or the ingredientsfor dinner Take a tour of the town and a trip down memory lane onthe Heritage Trail or spend the afternoon at Parc Eirias on the bowling

green in the park pool or tennis court Finish off the day with a movieor a stage show at Theatr Colwyn the UKrsquos oldest operating cinema

Kick off day 3 with a gentle bike ride and some knockout sea views onthe cycle path from Colwyn Bay Crank up the pace and battle it out

across 69 acres of open woodland at Adventure Paintball AbergeleTake a breather at Pensarnrsquos quiet beach and treat yourself to some

candy floss Then have a flutter and experience the excitement ofAmerican harness racing at Tir Prince Raceway Towyn Finish your

tour with some classic seaside fun at Knightlyrsquos Funfair where youcan watch a magic show take a lesson at the circus skills schoolhave a game of bingo or a round of crazy golf

15

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1631

Conwy is a great place to get back to nature Better still

therersquos always something to see and do whatever the

season - from wild flowers in spring to migrating birds

in autumn Time your visit well and you could be greeted

by the rasping call of Reed warblers or the song of theReed bunting

There are new developments at the Great Orme County Park

and at the RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve this year But away

from the main sites there is also a host of attractions and

back-to-nature experiences at some of the lesser-known

locations managed by Conwy Countryside Service

We highlight some of the best of Conwyrsquos naturalattractions by season

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

Sir Gonwy ydirsquor lle perffaith i ymgolli ym myd natur beth bynnag y tywydd Bydd datblygiadau newydd ym Mharc Gwledig y Gogarth aGwarchodfa Natur Conwy yn denu ymwelwyr irsquor ardal i fwynhau byd natur ar ei orau

Mae Arsyllfa Natur newydd y warchodfa yn agor yn y gwanwyn ac mae disgwyl irsquor gwelliannau i Ganolfan Ymwelwyr y Gogarth fod wedi

eu cwblhau erbyn hynny hefyd Bydd y Maes man ymgynnull yn y warchodfa yn agor yn barod ar gyfer yr hydref arsquor adar mudo

Mae yna hefyd ddigon o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn rhai o safleoedd llai adnabyddus Gwasanaeth Cefn Gwlad Conwy Er enghraifft

llwybr cerdded newydd yng Ngwarchodfa Natur Coed Pwllycrochan ym Mae Colwyn syrsquon eich tywys trwyrsquor coed collddail

Itrsquos in our nature

copyA n d y H a

y r s p b - i m a g e sc

o m

copy E l e

a n o r

B e n t a l l

r s p b

- i m a g e s c o m

copyEleanor Bentall rspb-imagescom

copyAnd y Ha y rsp b-imagescom

16 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1731

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

RSPB CONWY NATURE RESERVE

Among the UKrsquos most popularRSPB reserves with plenty to

see throughout the year fromshorebirds returning in the autumn

to dragonflies in summer plus an

exciting timetable of events whichincludes a New Yearrsquos Day Walk and

International Mud Day in June

01492 584091wwwrspborguk

GREAT ORME COUNTRY

PARK VISITOR CENTRE

Discover the Great Ormersquos history

geology and wildlife and take asneaky peak at the seabird colonies

using the lsquoseabird camerarsquo A rangeof leaflets produced by Conwyrsquos

Countryside Service is available atthe Centre

01492 874151wwwconwygovukgreatorme

PENSYCHNANT CONSERVATION

CENTRE AND NATURE RESERVE

The woodland and heathland of

this nature reserve at the top ofConwyrsquos Sychnant Pass is home

to diverse species of wildlife andis a perfect starting point for awalk to the Carneddau mountains

The Centre itself works withnaturalists and wildlife organisations

and hosts regular events

01492 592595wwwpensychnantcouk

NATURE RESERVES

Conwy Countryside Servicemanages a number of naturereserves with diverse habitats ndash

from woodland to sand dunesndash including the wild landscapes

of Conwy Mountain Bodlondeb

Woods with its many speciesof birds and butterflies andDolwyddelan picnic site wherevolunteers created award-winning

flower beds

wwwconwygovukcountryside

SPRING

The new Jubilee Nature Observatory at

RSPB Conwy opens this spring The straw-bale-built structure overlooks one of the

two lagoons and up the Conwy Valley toSnowdonia Use it to spot birds such as

Water rail (similar to moorhens) hidden in

the reeds plus spring butterflies egrets andGrey heron

ldquoI love walking round the reserve on a spring

dayrdquo says Julian Hughes Reserve ManagerldquoWith birds arriving from Africa wild flowersand insects emerging therersquos something new

every dayrdquo

Improvements to the Great Orme CountryPark Visitor Centre will also be completefor spring with a new weather station and

a digital information point The Great Orme

boasts some 400 species of wild flowersin spring with rock roses one of the mostprevalent on its limestone grassland You canalso spot seabirds on the cliffs and Kashmir

goat kids running wild Look out for thewild flower interpretation chart one of the

centrersquos latest publications

SUMMER

A new viewpoint from RSPB Conwyrsquos Ganol

Trail looking across to Conwy Castle willopen for summer to spot oystercatchersand curlews on the islands in the lagoons

You will also see native wild flowers suchas Birdrsquos foot trefoil a food source for the

Common blue butterfly The Great Ormeheathland meanwhile will be in full bloomwith heather and gorse showering purple

and yellow flowers across the landscape

A perfect walking spot for May or June isthe Mynydd Marian Local Nature Reservea small limestone ridge on the edge of

the village of Llysfaen located betweenColwyn Bay and Abergele The limestone

grassland site boasts stunning coastal views

and a rich patchwork of summer flora andfauna including rare species such as Hoary

rockrose Spring cinquefoil and the Silver-studded blue butterfly

AUTUMN

New developments to the nature reserve

with the next stage of the ConwyConnections project at RSPB Conwy will

be complete for autumn The centrepieceof this will be Y Maes (the village square)

which will offer a newly landscaped central

outdoor meeting place It will also providean elevated view across the reserve to the

Conwy Valley Look across the treetops ateye level with the Goldfinches at play

ldquoThe mix of habitats brings people closerto naturerdquo says Julian Hughes ldquoThe reserve

is alive at this time of year with autumncolours fungus frogs and birdlife on the

moverdquo

Also alive in early autumn is the circular

walk through the Penmaenmawr uplands

exploring ancient historical sites from theJubilee Path to the Druidrsquos Circle whilstwalking through a carpet of mixed pinks andpurples with splashes of yellow from heather

gorse and bilberry

WINTER

Enjoy a winter walk at the Pwllycrochan

Woods Local Nature Reserve a deciduouswoodland above Colwyn Bay where

improvements to the woodland pathand new themed information boards areavailable for walkers amongst the native

and exotic trees Listen out for buzzardsnuthatch great spotted woodpecker and

tawny owls while out rambling the fivecircular woodland trails

ldquoWith sweet chestnut sessile oak andsycamore itrsquos a brilliant place to trudge

through the thick carpet of leaves in theautumnrdquo says Countryside Warden LesleyLawson

Finally the four walks around Llanfairfechan

are also ideal for winter wildlife Route one

through the Glan y Mocircr Elias Local NatureReserve is graced with wigeons grazing the

saltmarsh and wading birds on the adjoiningTraeth Lafan mudflats

17

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1831

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1931

The Green Flag Award Scheme is a

national standard of excellence for parksand green spaces To qualify a greenspace must be a welcoming place which

involves the community The awardtakes into consideration such things as

sustainability conservation and heritage

and recognises the hard work of dedicatedparks staff and community groups This

year we are proudly flying no fewerthan nine prestigious Green Flags from

ornamental flowerbeds paths and seatingat Queenrsquos Gardens Colwyn Bay a relaxedenvironment in an otherwise busy area of

the town to Cae Derw Llandudno Junctionwhich has a sensory garden sculptures a

play area and a place to walk the dogSo far more than 50000 daffodil bulbs have been planted at Llandudnorsquos parksgardens and green bits in a bid to secure the title of Daffodil Capital of Wales

Throughout 2012 school youth and childrenrsquos groups the Councilrsquos parksdepartment and local businesses gathered for mass bulb-planting and fund-raising

events competitions and activities with a lsquodaffometerrsquo gauging planting progressThe first yearrsquos planting goal was met (and bettered) last November and all thehard work is due to pay off this year Visit Llandudno in late winter early spring

to be among the first to see the explosions of bright yellow when thousands uponthousands of daffodils burst into bloom throughout the town

wwwdaffodilcapitalofwalescouk

Wales in Bloom is a national campaign designed to embrace the beauty of

Wales Prizes are awarded annually for the best looking towns and take into

consideration environmentally friendly practices and community involvement aswell as horticultural achievement In 2012 Colwyn Bay took home 1st prize the

Gold Award in the Large Town category for a whopping 11th year running Visitand see whatrsquos growing this year

walesinbloomorguk

G A R D E N S A N D G R E E N S P A C E S

Our Green Flags are flying atWynn Garden Old ColwynQueens Garden Colwyn Bay

Bodlondeb Park ConwyHappy Valley Llandudno

Great Orme Country Park LlandudnoPentre Mawr Park Abergele

Cae Derw Llandudno JunctionLlanrhos Lawn Cemetery LlandudnoBryn Euryn Allotments and Local Nature

Reserve Rhos-on-Sea

wwwconwygovuk

19

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2031

Prsquoun ai a ydych chirsquon anturiwr o fri syrsquon hoffi gwthiorsquoch corff arsquoch calon irsquor eithaf neursquon hoffi ymlacio a chwarae golff gyda thyrsquor clwb gerllaw

i chi gael llymaid mae rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn Llandudno a Sir Gonwy O antur ar dir sych i antur ar y mocircr - beth am roi cynnig arrywbeth newydd Beth am fynd ar siglen pum sedd fwyaf Ewrop yn Treetops Adventure neu os ydych chirsquon ddigon dewr beth am feicio

ar hyd llwybr 28km y Marin yng Nghoed Gwydir Yng Nghonwy mae gan ddringo sgiumlo syrffio barcud a cherdded un peth yn gyffredin -golygfeydd godidog o bob cyfeiriad

A C T I V I T I E S

Whether yoursquore a fully fledged outdoor type who likes nothing betterthan a no-holds-barred adrenaline thrill or prefer to spend your

spare time on the golf course with a club house close at hand therersquossomething to please everyone in Llandudno and Conwy County

Wersquove adventures on dry land and on the water Colwyn Bayrsquos eagerly

awaited Watersports Centre is coming soon but in the meantime whynot try something new Whether itrsquos climbing skiing kitesurfing or just

good old fashioned walking they all have one thing in common here

amazing scenery in every direction

20 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 16: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1631

Conwy is a great place to get back to nature Better still

therersquos always something to see and do whatever the

season - from wild flowers in spring to migrating birds

in autumn Time your visit well and you could be greeted

by the rasping call of Reed warblers or the song of theReed bunting

There are new developments at the Great Orme County Park

and at the RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve this year But away

from the main sites there is also a host of attractions and

back-to-nature experiences at some of the lesser-known

locations managed by Conwy Countryside Service

We highlight some of the best of Conwyrsquos naturalattractions by season

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

Sir Gonwy ydirsquor lle perffaith i ymgolli ym myd natur beth bynnag y tywydd Bydd datblygiadau newydd ym Mharc Gwledig y Gogarth aGwarchodfa Natur Conwy yn denu ymwelwyr irsquor ardal i fwynhau byd natur ar ei orau

Mae Arsyllfa Natur newydd y warchodfa yn agor yn y gwanwyn ac mae disgwyl irsquor gwelliannau i Ganolfan Ymwelwyr y Gogarth fod wedi

eu cwblhau erbyn hynny hefyd Bydd y Maes man ymgynnull yn y warchodfa yn agor yn barod ar gyfer yr hydref arsquor adar mudo

Mae yna hefyd ddigon o bethau y gallwch chi eu gwneud yn rhai o safleoedd llai adnabyddus Gwasanaeth Cefn Gwlad Conwy Er enghraifft

llwybr cerdded newydd yng Ngwarchodfa Natur Coed Pwllycrochan ym Mae Colwyn syrsquon eich tywys trwyrsquor coed collddail

Itrsquos in our nature

copyA n d y H a

y r s p b - i m a g e sc

o m

copy E l e

a n o r

B e n t a l l

r s p b

- i m a g e s c o m

copyEleanor Bentall rspb-imagescom

copyAnd y Ha y rsp b-imagescom

16 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1731

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

RSPB CONWY NATURE RESERVE

Among the UKrsquos most popularRSPB reserves with plenty to

see throughout the year fromshorebirds returning in the autumn

to dragonflies in summer plus an

exciting timetable of events whichincludes a New Yearrsquos Day Walk and

International Mud Day in June

01492 584091wwwrspborguk

GREAT ORME COUNTRY

PARK VISITOR CENTRE

Discover the Great Ormersquos history

geology and wildlife and take asneaky peak at the seabird colonies

using the lsquoseabird camerarsquo A rangeof leaflets produced by Conwyrsquos

Countryside Service is available atthe Centre

01492 874151wwwconwygovukgreatorme

PENSYCHNANT CONSERVATION

CENTRE AND NATURE RESERVE

The woodland and heathland of

this nature reserve at the top ofConwyrsquos Sychnant Pass is home

to diverse species of wildlife andis a perfect starting point for awalk to the Carneddau mountains

The Centre itself works withnaturalists and wildlife organisations

and hosts regular events

01492 592595wwwpensychnantcouk

NATURE RESERVES

Conwy Countryside Servicemanages a number of naturereserves with diverse habitats ndash

from woodland to sand dunesndash including the wild landscapes

of Conwy Mountain Bodlondeb

Woods with its many speciesof birds and butterflies andDolwyddelan picnic site wherevolunteers created award-winning

flower beds

wwwconwygovukcountryside

SPRING

The new Jubilee Nature Observatory at

RSPB Conwy opens this spring The straw-bale-built structure overlooks one of the

two lagoons and up the Conwy Valley toSnowdonia Use it to spot birds such as

Water rail (similar to moorhens) hidden in

the reeds plus spring butterflies egrets andGrey heron

ldquoI love walking round the reserve on a spring

dayrdquo says Julian Hughes Reserve ManagerldquoWith birds arriving from Africa wild flowersand insects emerging therersquos something new

every dayrdquo

Improvements to the Great Orme CountryPark Visitor Centre will also be completefor spring with a new weather station and

a digital information point The Great Orme

boasts some 400 species of wild flowersin spring with rock roses one of the mostprevalent on its limestone grassland You canalso spot seabirds on the cliffs and Kashmir

goat kids running wild Look out for thewild flower interpretation chart one of the

centrersquos latest publications

SUMMER

A new viewpoint from RSPB Conwyrsquos Ganol

Trail looking across to Conwy Castle willopen for summer to spot oystercatchersand curlews on the islands in the lagoons

You will also see native wild flowers suchas Birdrsquos foot trefoil a food source for the

Common blue butterfly The Great Ormeheathland meanwhile will be in full bloomwith heather and gorse showering purple

and yellow flowers across the landscape

A perfect walking spot for May or June isthe Mynydd Marian Local Nature Reservea small limestone ridge on the edge of

the village of Llysfaen located betweenColwyn Bay and Abergele The limestone

grassland site boasts stunning coastal views

and a rich patchwork of summer flora andfauna including rare species such as Hoary

rockrose Spring cinquefoil and the Silver-studded blue butterfly

AUTUMN

New developments to the nature reserve

with the next stage of the ConwyConnections project at RSPB Conwy will

be complete for autumn The centrepieceof this will be Y Maes (the village square)

which will offer a newly landscaped central

outdoor meeting place It will also providean elevated view across the reserve to the

Conwy Valley Look across the treetops ateye level with the Goldfinches at play

ldquoThe mix of habitats brings people closerto naturerdquo says Julian Hughes ldquoThe reserve

is alive at this time of year with autumncolours fungus frogs and birdlife on the

moverdquo

Also alive in early autumn is the circular

walk through the Penmaenmawr uplands

exploring ancient historical sites from theJubilee Path to the Druidrsquos Circle whilstwalking through a carpet of mixed pinks andpurples with splashes of yellow from heather

gorse and bilberry

WINTER

Enjoy a winter walk at the Pwllycrochan

Woods Local Nature Reserve a deciduouswoodland above Colwyn Bay where

improvements to the woodland pathand new themed information boards areavailable for walkers amongst the native

and exotic trees Listen out for buzzardsnuthatch great spotted woodpecker and

tawny owls while out rambling the fivecircular woodland trails

ldquoWith sweet chestnut sessile oak andsycamore itrsquos a brilliant place to trudge

through the thick carpet of leaves in theautumnrdquo says Countryside Warden LesleyLawson

Finally the four walks around Llanfairfechan

are also ideal for winter wildlife Route one

through the Glan y Mocircr Elias Local NatureReserve is graced with wigeons grazing the

saltmarsh and wading birds on the adjoiningTraeth Lafan mudflats

17

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1831

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1931

The Green Flag Award Scheme is a

national standard of excellence for parksand green spaces To qualify a greenspace must be a welcoming place which

involves the community The awardtakes into consideration such things as

sustainability conservation and heritage

and recognises the hard work of dedicatedparks staff and community groups This

year we are proudly flying no fewerthan nine prestigious Green Flags from

ornamental flowerbeds paths and seatingat Queenrsquos Gardens Colwyn Bay a relaxedenvironment in an otherwise busy area of

the town to Cae Derw Llandudno Junctionwhich has a sensory garden sculptures a

play area and a place to walk the dogSo far more than 50000 daffodil bulbs have been planted at Llandudnorsquos parksgardens and green bits in a bid to secure the title of Daffodil Capital of Wales

Throughout 2012 school youth and childrenrsquos groups the Councilrsquos parksdepartment and local businesses gathered for mass bulb-planting and fund-raising

events competitions and activities with a lsquodaffometerrsquo gauging planting progressThe first yearrsquos planting goal was met (and bettered) last November and all thehard work is due to pay off this year Visit Llandudno in late winter early spring

to be among the first to see the explosions of bright yellow when thousands uponthousands of daffodils burst into bloom throughout the town

wwwdaffodilcapitalofwalescouk

Wales in Bloom is a national campaign designed to embrace the beauty of

Wales Prizes are awarded annually for the best looking towns and take into

consideration environmentally friendly practices and community involvement aswell as horticultural achievement In 2012 Colwyn Bay took home 1st prize the

Gold Award in the Large Town category for a whopping 11th year running Visitand see whatrsquos growing this year

walesinbloomorguk

G A R D E N S A N D G R E E N S P A C E S

Our Green Flags are flying atWynn Garden Old ColwynQueens Garden Colwyn Bay

Bodlondeb Park ConwyHappy Valley Llandudno

Great Orme Country Park LlandudnoPentre Mawr Park Abergele

Cae Derw Llandudno JunctionLlanrhos Lawn Cemetery LlandudnoBryn Euryn Allotments and Local Nature

Reserve Rhos-on-Sea

wwwconwygovuk

19

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2031

Prsquoun ai a ydych chirsquon anturiwr o fri syrsquon hoffi gwthiorsquoch corff arsquoch calon irsquor eithaf neursquon hoffi ymlacio a chwarae golff gyda thyrsquor clwb gerllaw

i chi gael llymaid mae rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn Llandudno a Sir Gonwy O antur ar dir sych i antur ar y mocircr - beth am roi cynnig arrywbeth newydd Beth am fynd ar siglen pum sedd fwyaf Ewrop yn Treetops Adventure neu os ydych chirsquon ddigon dewr beth am feicio

ar hyd llwybr 28km y Marin yng Nghoed Gwydir Yng Nghonwy mae gan ddringo sgiumlo syrffio barcud a cherdded un peth yn gyffredin -golygfeydd godidog o bob cyfeiriad

A C T I V I T I E S

Whether yoursquore a fully fledged outdoor type who likes nothing betterthan a no-holds-barred adrenaline thrill or prefer to spend your

spare time on the golf course with a club house close at hand therersquossomething to please everyone in Llandudno and Conwy County

Wersquove adventures on dry land and on the water Colwyn Bayrsquos eagerly

awaited Watersports Centre is coming soon but in the meantime whynot try something new Whether itrsquos climbing skiing kitesurfing or just

good old fashioned walking they all have one thing in common here

amazing scenery in every direction

20 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 17: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1731

N A T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T

RSPB CONWY NATURE RESERVE

Among the UKrsquos most popularRSPB reserves with plenty to

see throughout the year fromshorebirds returning in the autumn

to dragonflies in summer plus an

exciting timetable of events whichincludes a New Yearrsquos Day Walk and

International Mud Day in June

01492 584091wwwrspborguk

GREAT ORME COUNTRY

PARK VISITOR CENTRE

Discover the Great Ormersquos history

geology and wildlife and take asneaky peak at the seabird colonies

using the lsquoseabird camerarsquo A rangeof leaflets produced by Conwyrsquos

Countryside Service is available atthe Centre

01492 874151wwwconwygovukgreatorme

PENSYCHNANT CONSERVATION

CENTRE AND NATURE RESERVE

The woodland and heathland of

this nature reserve at the top ofConwyrsquos Sychnant Pass is home

to diverse species of wildlife andis a perfect starting point for awalk to the Carneddau mountains

The Centre itself works withnaturalists and wildlife organisations

and hosts regular events

01492 592595wwwpensychnantcouk

NATURE RESERVES

Conwy Countryside Servicemanages a number of naturereserves with diverse habitats ndash

from woodland to sand dunesndash including the wild landscapes

of Conwy Mountain Bodlondeb

Woods with its many speciesof birds and butterflies andDolwyddelan picnic site wherevolunteers created award-winning

flower beds

wwwconwygovukcountryside

SPRING

The new Jubilee Nature Observatory at

RSPB Conwy opens this spring The straw-bale-built structure overlooks one of the

two lagoons and up the Conwy Valley toSnowdonia Use it to spot birds such as

Water rail (similar to moorhens) hidden in

the reeds plus spring butterflies egrets andGrey heron

ldquoI love walking round the reserve on a spring

dayrdquo says Julian Hughes Reserve ManagerldquoWith birds arriving from Africa wild flowersand insects emerging therersquos something new

every dayrdquo

Improvements to the Great Orme CountryPark Visitor Centre will also be completefor spring with a new weather station and

a digital information point The Great Orme

boasts some 400 species of wild flowersin spring with rock roses one of the mostprevalent on its limestone grassland You canalso spot seabirds on the cliffs and Kashmir

goat kids running wild Look out for thewild flower interpretation chart one of the

centrersquos latest publications

SUMMER

A new viewpoint from RSPB Conwyrsquos Ganol

Trail looking across to Conwy Castle willopen for summer to spot oystercatchersand curlews on the islands in the lagoons

You will also see native wild flowers suchas Birdrsquos foot trefoil a food source for the

Common blue butterfly The Great Ormeheathland meanwhile will be in full bloomwith heather and gorse showering purple

and yellow flowers across the landscape

A perfect walking spot for May or June isthe Mynydd Marian Local Nature Reservea small limestone ridge on the edge of

the village of Llysfaen located betweenColwyn Bay and Abergele The limestone

grassland site boasts stunning coastal views

and a rich patchwork of summer flora andfauna including rare species such as Hoary

rockrose Spring cinquefoil and the Silver-studded blue butterfly

AUTUMN

New developments to the nature reserve

with the next stage of the ConwyConnections project at RSPB Conwy will

be complete for autumn The centrepieceof this will be Y Maes (the village square)

which will offer a newly landscaped central

outdoor meeting place It will also providean elevated view across the reserve to the

Conwy Valley Look across the treetops ateye level with the Goldfinches at play

ldquoThe mix of habitats brings people closerto naturerdquo says Julian Hughes ldquoThe reserve

is alive at this time of year with autumncolours fungus frogs and birdlife on the

moverdquo

Also alive in early autumn is the circular

walk through the Penmaenmawr uplands

exploring ancient historical sites from theJubilee Path to the Druidrsquos Circle whilstwalking through a carpet of mixed pinks andpurples with splashes of yellow from heather

gorse and bilberry

WINTER

Enjoy a winter walk at the Pwllycrochan

Woods Local Nature Reserve a deciduouswoodland above Colwyn Bay where

improvements to the woodland pathand new themed information boards areavailable for walkers amongst the native

and exotic trees Listen out for buzzardsnuthatch great spotted woodpecker and

tawny owls while out rambling the fivecircular woodland trails

ldquoWith sweet chestnut sessile oak andsycamore itrsquos a brilliant place to trudge

through the thick carpet of leaves in theautumnrdquo says Countryside Warden LesleyLawson

Finally the four walks around Llanfairfechan

are also ideal for winter wildlife Route one

through the Glan y Mocircr Elias Local NatureReserve is graced with wigeons grazing the

saltmarsh and wading birds on the adjoiningTraeth Lafan mudflats

17

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1831

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1931

The Green Flag Award Scheme is a

national standard of excellence for parksand green spaces To qualify a greenspace must be a welcoming place which

involves the community The awardtakes into consideration such things as

sustainability conservation and heritage

and recognises the hard work of dedicatedparks staff and community groups This

year we are proudly flying no fewerthan nine prestigious Green Flags from

ornamental flowerbeds paths and seatingat Queenrsquos Gardens Colwyn Bay a relaxedenvironment in an otherwise busy area of

the town to Cae Derw Llandudno Junctionwhich has a sensory garden sculptures a

play area and a place to walk the dogSo far more than 50000 daffodil bulbs have been planted at Llandudnorsquos parksgardens and green bits in a bid to secure the title of Daffodil Capital of Wales

Throughout 2012 school youth and childrenrsquos groups the Councilrsquos parksdepartment and local businesses gathered for mass bulb-planting and fund-raising

events competitions and activities with a lsquodaffometerrsquo gauging planting progressThe first yearrsquos planting goal was met (and bettered) last November and all thehard work is due to pay off this year Visit Llandudno in late winter early spring

to be among the first to see the explosions of bright yellow when thousands uponthousands of daffodils burst into bloom throughout the town

wwwdaffodilcapitalofwalescouk

Wales in Bloom is a national campaign designed to embrace the beauty of

Wales Prizes are awarded annually for the best looking towns and take into

consideration environmentally friendly practices and community involvement aswell as horticultural achievement In 2012 Colwyn Bay took home 1st prize the

Gold Award in the Large Town category for a whopping 11th year running Visitand see whatrsquos growing this year

walesinbloomorguk

G A R D E N S A N D G R E E N S P A C E S

Our Green Flags are flying atWynn Garden Old ColwynQueens Garden Colwyn Bay

Bodlondeb Park ConwyHappy Valley Llandudno

Great Orme Country Park LlandudnoPentre Mawr Park Abergele

Cae Derw Llandudno JunctionLlanrhos Lawn Cemetery LlandudnoBryn Euryn Allotments and Local Nature

Reserve Rhos-on-Sea

wwwconwygovuk

19

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2031

Prsquoun ai a ydych chirsquon anturiwr o fri syrsquon hoffi gwthiorsquoch corff arsquoch calon irsquor eithaf neursquon hoffi ymlacio a chwarae golff gyda thyrsquor clwb gerllaw

i chi gael llymaid mae rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn Llandudno a Sir Gonwy O antur ar dir sych i antur ar y mocircr - beth am roi cynnig arrywbeth newydd Beth am fynd ar siglen pum sedd fwyaf Ewrop yn Treetops Adventure neu os ydych chirsquon ddigon dewr beth am feicio

ar hyd llwybr 28km y Marin yng Nghoed Gwydir Yng Nghonwy mae gan ddringo sgiumlo syrffio barcud a cherdded un peth yn gyffredin -golygfeydd godidog o bob cyfeiriad

A C T I V I T I E S

Whether yoursquore a fully fledged outdoor type who likes nothing betterthan a no-holds-barred adrenaline thrill or prefer to spend your

spare time on the golf course with a club house close at hand therersquossomething to please everyone in Llandudno and Conwy County

Wersquove adventures on dry land and on the water Colwyn Bayrsquos eagerly

awaited Watersports Centre is coming soon but in the meantime whynot try something new Whether itrsquos climbing skiing kitesurfing or just

good old fashioned walking they all have one thing in common here

amazing scenery in every direction

20 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 18: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1831

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1931

The Green Flag Award Scheme is a

national standard of excellence for parksand green spaces To qualify a greenspace must be a welcoming place which

involves the community The awardtakes into consideration such things as

sustainability conservation and heritage

and recognises the hard work of dedicatedparks staff and community groups This

year we are proudly flying no fewerthan nine prestigious Green Flags from

ornamental flowerbeds paths and seatingat Queenrsquos Gardens Colwyn Bay a relaxedenvironment in an otherwise busy area of

the town to Cae Derw Llandudno Junctionwhich has a sensory garden sculptures a

play area and a place to walk the dogSo far more than 50000 daffodil bulbs have been planted at Llandudnorsquos parksgardens and green bits in a bid to secure the title of Daffodil Capital of Wales

Throughout 2012 school youth and childrenrsquos groups the Councilrsquos parksdepartment and local businesses gathered for mass bulb-planting and fund-raising

events competitions and activities with a lsquodaffometerrsquo gauging planting progressThe first yearrsquos planting goal was met (and bettered) last November and all thehard work is due to pay off this year Visit Llandudno in late winter early spring

to be among the first to see the explosions of bright yellow when thousands uponthousands of daffodils burst into bloom throughout the town

wwwdaffodilcapitalofwalescouk

Wales in Bloom is a national campaign designed to embrace the beauty of

Wales Prizes are awarded annually for the best looking towns and take into

consideration environmentally friendly practices and community involvement aswell as horticultural achievement In 2012 Colwyn Bay took home 1st prize the

Gold Award in the Large Town category for a whopping 11th year running Visitand see whatrsquos growing this year

walesinbloomorguk

G A R D E N S A N D G R E E N S P A C E S

Our Green Flags are flying atWynn Garden Old ColwynQueens Garden Colwyn Bay

Bodlondeb Park ConwyHappy Valley Llandudno

Great Orme Country Park LlandudnoPentre Mawr Park Abergele

Cae Derw Llandudno JunctionLlanrhos Lawn Cemetery LlandudnoBryn Euryn Allotments and Local Nature

Reserve Rhos-on-Sea

wwwconwygovuk

19

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2031

Prsquoun ai a ydych chirsquon anturiwr o fri syrsquon hoffi gwthiorsquoch corff arsquoch calon irsquor eithaf neursquon hoffi ymlacio a chwarae golff gyda thyrsquor clwb gerllaw

i chi gael llymaid mae rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn Llandudno a Sir Gonwy O antur ar dir sych i antur ar y mocircr - beth am roi cynnig arrywbeth newydd Beth am fynd ar siglen pum sedd fwyaf Ewrop yn Treetops Adventure neu os ydych chirsquon ddigon dewr beth am feicio

ar hyd llwybr 28km y Marin yng Nghoed Gwydir Yng Nghonwy mae gan ddringo sgiumlo syrffio barcud a cherdded un peth yn gyffredin -golygfeydd godidog o bob cyfeiriad

A C T I V I T I E S

Whether yoursquore a fully fledged outdoor type who likes nothing betterthan a no-holds-barred adrenaline thrill or prefer to spend your

spare time on the golf course with a club house close at hand therersquossomething to please everyone in Llandudno and Conwy County

Wersquove adventures on dry land and on the water Colwyn Bayrsquos eagerly

awaited Watersports Centre is coming soon but in the meantime whynot try something new Whether itrsquos climbing skiing kitesurfing or just

good old fashioned walking they all have one thing in common here

amazing scenery in every direction

20 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 19: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 1931

The Green Flag Award Scheme is a

national standard of excellence for parksand green spaces To qualify a greenspace must be a welcoming place which

involves the community The awardtakes into consideration such things as

sustainability conservation and heritage

and recognises the hard work of dedicatedparks staff and community groups This

year we are proudly flying no fewerthan nine prestigious Green Flags from

ornamental flowerbeds paths and seatingat Queenrsquos Gardens Colwyn Bay a relaxedenvironment in an otherwise busy area of

the town to Cae Derw Llandudno Junctionwhich has a sensory garden sculptures a

play area and a place to walk the dogSo far more than 50000 daffodil bulbs have been planted at Llandudnorsquos parksgardens and green bits in a bid to secure the title of Daffodil Capital of Wales

Throughout 2012 school youth and childrenrsquos groups the Councilrsquos parksdepartment and local businesses gathered for mass bulb-planting and fund-raising

events competitions and activities with a lsquodaffometerrsquo gauging planting progressThe first yearrsquos planting goal was met (and bettered) last November and all thehard work is due to pay off this year Visit Llandudno in late winter early spring

to be among the first to see the explosions of bright yellow when thousands uponthousands of daffodils burst into bloom throughout the town

wwwdaffodilcapitalofwalescouk

Wales in Bloom is a national campaign designed to embrace the beauty of

Wales Prizes are awarded annually for the best looking towns and take into

consideration environmentally friendly practices and community involvement aswell as horticultural achievement In 2012 Colwyn Bay took home 1st prize the

Gold Award in the Large Town category for a whopping 11th year running Visitand see whatrsquos growing this year

walesinbloomorguk

G A R D E N S A N D G R E E N S P A C E S

Our Green Flags are flying atWynn Garden Old ColwynQueens Garden Colwyn Bay

Bodlondeb Park ConwyHappy Valley Llandudno

Great Orme Country Park LlandudnoPentre Mawr Park Abergele

Cae Derw Llandudno JunctionLlanrhos Lawn Cemetery LlandudnoBryn Euryn Allotments and Local Nature

Reserve Rhos-on-Sea

wwwconwygovuk

19

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2031

Prsquoun ai a ydych chirsquon anturiwr o fri syrsquon hoffi gwthiorsquoch corff arsquoch calon irsquor eithaf neursquon hoffi ymlacio a chwarae golff gyda thyrsquor clwb gerllaw

i chi gael llymaid mae rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn Llandudno a Sir Gonwy O antur ar dir sych i antur ar y mocircr - beth am roi cynnig arrywbeth newydd Beth am fynd ar siglen pum sedd fwyaf Ewrop yn Treetops Adventure neu os ydych chirsquon ddigon dewr beth am feicio

ar hyd llwybr 28km y Marin yng Nghoed Gwydir Yng Nghonwy mae gan ddringo sgiumlo syrffio barcud a cherdded un peth yn gyffredin -golygfeydd godidog o bob cyfeiriad

A C T I V I T I E S

Whether yoursquore a fully fledged outdoor type who likes nothing betterthan a no-holds-barred adrenaline thrill or prefer to spend your

spare time on the golf course with a club house close at hand therersquossomething to please everyone in Llandudno and Conwy County

Wersquove adventures on dry land and on the water Colwyn Bayrsquos eagerly

awaited Watersports Centre is coming soon but in the meantime whynot try something new Whether itrsquos climbing skiing kitesurfing or just

good old fashioned walking they all have one thing in common here

amazing scenery in every direction

20 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 20: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2031

Prsquoun ai a ydych chirsquon anturiwr o fri syrsquon hoffi gwthiorsquoch corff arsquoch calon irsquor eithaf neursquon hoffi ymlacio a chwarae golff gyda thyrsquor clwb gerllaw

i chi gael llymaid mae rhywbeth at ddant pawb yn Llandudno a Sir Gonwy O antur ar dir sych i antur ar y mocircr - beth am roi cynnig arrywbeth newydd Beth am fynd ar siglen pum sedd fwyaf Ewrop yn Treetops Adventure neu os ydych chirsquon ddigon dewr beth am feicio

ar hyd llwybr 28km y Marin yng Nghoed Gwydir Yng Nghonwy mae gan ddringo sgiumlo syrffio barcud a cherdded un peth yn gyffredin -golygfeydd godidog o bob cyfeiriad

A C T I V I T I E S

Whether yoursquore a fully fledged outdoor type who likes nothing betterthan a no-holds-barred adrenaline thrill or prefer to spend your

spare time on the golf course with a club house close at hand therersquossomething to please everyone in Llandudno and Conwy County

Wersquove adventures on dry land and on the water Colwyn Bayrsquos eagerly

awaited Watersports Centre is coming soon but in the meantime whynot try something new Whether itrsquos climbing skiing kitesurfing or just

good old fashioned walking they all have one thing in common here

amazing scenery in every direction

20 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 21: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2131

A C T I V I T I E S

To book your next big golf adventure call 0845 450 5885or visit wwwgolfcoastnorthwalescom

PenmaenmawrMaesdu Abergele Conwy

Planning a golf break on the North Wales coast

can be tricky Do you choose parkland links or a

bit of both Golfer-friendly hotel or self-catering

Mountain castle or sea view

With 9 challenging holes at Penmaenmawr USGA standard greens at

Abergele championship courses at North Wales and Maesdu Llandudno

and Walesrsquo only Open Qualifying course at Conwy yoursquove quite a choice

to make We find decisions like these are best left for the 19th holeNorth Wales

Golf Coast

North Wales

10 d i s c o u nt f o r g r o u p s o f 12 o r mo r e

21

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 22: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2231

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 23: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2331

A C T I V I T I E S

W A L K S W H E E L S A N D W A T E R

T H E W A L E S C O A S T P A T H

Officially opened in May 2012 the Wales Coast Path is a longdistance walking route which follows the entire coast of Wales

from Chester to Chepstow The route clocks up a grand total of870 miles but the section of the path which runs through Conwy

stretches a more manageable 345 miles from Kinmel Bay toLlanfairfechan It can be divided into three shorter bite-sized chunksfor a perfect dayrsquos walking Kinmel Bay to Rhos-on-Sea which takes

in Persarn Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and Llanddulasbeachrsquos interesting array of wildlife Rhos-on-Sea to Conwy which

takes in the summit of the Great Orme RSPB Conwy nature reserveand finishes at Conwy Castle and Conwy to Llanfairfechan whereyou can choose from a lowland and a more challenging rural upland

route where the extra leg work is rewarded with stunning sea views

wwwwalescoastpathgovuk

1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F

C O N W Y W A L K I N G W E E K

3 1 0 J U L Y

Strictly speaking Conwy Walking Week shouldbe renamed wersquove so much going on this year

we needed an extra day Have your walkingboots at the ready for no fewer than 8 daysof exploring Conwy county from coast to

mountain With walks of all levels from easy to

challenging for adults and families alike all ledby local professionals This year Conwy WalkingWeek turns 10 join us to celebrate

wwwconwygovuk

C O N W Y C Y C L E R O U T E

If you prefer your bike rides with a sea view try the ConwyCycle Route part of North Wales Coast Route (National

Route 5) from Anglesey to Chester For a shorter ride youcan cycle along the mainly traffic-free sea-fronts betweenLlanfairfechan and Kinmel Bay which include the lsquoConwy

Estuary Trailrsquo and a link to the RSPB Reserve at Conwy Much

of the route is perfect for walkers wheelchairs and pushchairstoo and is a great way to enjoy our coast leaving just tracksbehind you rather than a carbon footprint

wwwconwygovuk

I N D O O R A N D O U T D O O R L E I S U R E C E N T R E S

Letrsquos face it sometimes the weather gets the better of even the most intrepid

adventurer In times of inclement weather however we have many great indoor leisurefacilities so you can still set the pulse racing But you donrsquot have to wait for a rainy dayto enjoy our leisure centres theyrsquore open all year round whatever the weather is doing

outside Swim a few lengths at Llandudno Swimming Centre hire a squash court or have

a go on a climbing wall at Llandudno Junction Leisure Centre or challenge your friendsto a match at Craig y Donrsquos purpose build tennis centre

wwwconwygovukleisure

23

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 24: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2431

A C T I V I T I E S

24 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 25: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2531

Mae Neil Sowerby yn mynychu dosbarth pobi bara gydarsquor pobydd organig o fri Alex Gooch yng Nghanolfan Fwyd Bodnant Maersquor Ganolfan

Fwyd newydd a gostiodd pound65 miliwn irsquow chwblhau wedi ei sefydlu ar hen fferm ger yr afon Conwy syrsquon dyddiorsquon ocircl irsquor ddeunawfed ganrifMae Neil yn edrych ymlaen at ddegfed pen-blwydd Gwledd Conwy lle bydd cynhyrchwyr lleol yn cael eu gwobrwyo Ymysg y stondinwyr

bydd cwmniumlau hufen ia Fortes a Parisella selsig Ieuan Edwards o Gonwy cynnyrch Blas ar Fwyd ac olew recircp Blodyn Aur

Mae Canolfan Bodnant hefyd yn gartref i Ganolfan Wenyna Cymru ndash adnodd hanfodol gyda bod y wenynen fecircl yn prinhau Mae croeso i

chi weld cychod arddangos a thrin y gwenyn hyd yn oed Oes mae yna fwrlwm mawr am ein diwylliant bwyd fel mae Neil yn ei ddarganfod

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Neil Sowerby makes a lot of dough discoverswhy therersquos a buzz about bees and savours

a precious Diamond pie on a food safari

around Conwy

ldquoYOUR baps are better than minerdquo is not

a phrase I use lightly Any kind of coursebrings out my competitive edge But this

time in a rather superior breadmaking

tutorial I was suffering from a helping ofself-knowledge Unlike the attentive lass to

my right I had failed to master the hand-never-leaving-the-surface nudge that gives

dough the correct tensile shape Oh andperhaps Irsquod overfloured the worktop

Out of my oven came some delightfullysavoury potato baps to be enhanced by a

garlicorganic olive oil glaze but mine hadspread slightly into flab ndash a bit like their

baker in fact

Itrsquos not going to help my personal tensile

shape that I carted home two BodnantWelsh Food bags packed with a glorious

Perl Las cheese and garlic bread a chunky

spelt loaf rocket oil coated focacciaand wicked cinnamon twists ndash all from

one productive day under Alex GoochFermentation was never such fun

Still just 31 Alex is symptomatic of theculinary revolution raging in Wales In

2010 he won lsquoBest Producerrsquo at Radio 4rsquosFood and Farming Awards Down in

Hay-on-Wye this yeastmeister worksthrough the night at his organic bakery

to supply top restaurants delis andfarmerrsquos markets His spelts sourdoughsand ryes are hot properties

25

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 26: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2631

lsquolegendr983161rsquo Itrsquos mirrored 10 miles south in Llanrwstat Blas ar Fwyd a restaurantcafewine operation run by the intensely

knowledgeable Deiniol ap Dafydd Hiscoleslaw is legendary but it was his Celtic

Pork in Cider (Porc Celtaidd mewn Seidr)that triumphed in The Great Taste Awardsand Walesrsquos True Taste

Winning prizes is becoming a habit for

local food producers Edwards Butchersof Conwy scooped five 2012 Great TasteAwards and capped it with a top Diamond

Award for their Pork and Black Pudding Piewith Free Range Eggs at butchersrsquo Oscars

the Smithfield Awards

ldquoI an vuc fr it

rumptiunesrdquo

Purchasing the last pie left one lunchtime

in their bustling High Street shop I scoffedit on the quayside fighting off a gull who

fancied a piece of the pie action

Local ice cream scoops lots of awards too

Take friendly rivals Fortes of Llandudnoand Conwy-based Parisellarsquos Fortes

scooped five 2012 Great Taste Awardsand two from True Taste ndash Raspberry

Sorbet (gold) and Classic Vanilla Ice Cream(bronze) Parisellarsquos earned two True Tastesilvers for their Walnut and Maple Ice

Cream and Passion Fruit Sorbet Go forthat last one Tangy

F O O D A N D D R I N K

Both firms were founded by Italian

immigrants Young Domenico Parisellainitially came down from Scotland to work

for Fortes in 1943 Ten years later he wasrunning his own shop and selling from a

motorised tricycle

The Fortesrsquos ice cream parlour in Mostyn

Street Llandudno all red-leather

banquettes and gleaming fittings harksback to those times It was here in thebasement that current owner David Fortersquosgrandfather Onorio used to churn ice

cream using recipes from the old country

Parisellarsquos relaunched in 2006 opening anartisan ice cream factory ldquoWe use Welshwhole milk double cream and finest Italian

flavours to create a rich smooth gelatostyle ice creamrdquo says Tony ldquoGelato has

very little air added making it extremelydense and creamyrsquorsquo

Itrsquos significant that another culinary hot

property the new Bodnant Welsh Foodcan lure him north on his Sundays off

to run their breadmaking classes Thereciprocal enthusiasm of my eight fellowbaking apprentices is as palpable as the

live dough pliant to our fingertips ldquoMakingbread at home allows you to control what

you put in Use the finest ingredients andyou will see the differencerdquo Alex tells us

ldquotheir 983123helverefle the wealth

f fantai prue

in the Cnw983161 anLlanun areardquo

That quality concern could well be themantra of the pound65m food complexconceived by the owners of the Bodnant

Estate on their old home farm andopened by Prince Charles in July 2012

Spectacularly overlooking the RiverConwy the restored 18th century FurnaceFarm houses a farm shop tea-room on-

site bakery butchery dairy restaurantcookery school and a beekeeping centre

Itrsquos a showcase for Welsh produce ldquoHerewe measure in food feet not food milesrdquothey say Hence their shelves reflect the

wealth of fantastic produce in the Conwyand Llandudno area

26 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 27: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2731

F O O D A N D D R I N K

lsquoopyse dizl cakrsquo Another serial award-winner for the

sweet-toothed is Siwgr a Sbeis (Sugarand Spice) in Llanrwst whose Bara Brith

cakes and quiches are widely availableRecommended ndash their lemon andpoppyseed drizzle cake

All these products and many more come

together in that great celebration of NorthWelsh food the Gwledd Conwy Feast Ithas been the catalyst for the food tourism

that makes a hugely attractive destinationeven more attractive

This year the Feast celebrates its 10thanniversary Organiser Jane Hughes

promises lots of ldquospecial surprisesrdquoHer enthusiasm is undimmed ldquoPeople

are as enthusiastic as ever about smallproducersrdquo she says ldquoBuying food is likebuying art ndash therersquos a difference between

buying an original painting and a mass-produced print With small scale quality

production you know there are going tobe no chemicals in the preparation or

packaging Itrsquos just going to be betterrdquo

lsquofoie heavenrsquo The Feast even takes place in October fora special reason Thatrsquos when the famousConwy estuary mussels are at their best

Wash them down with beer from one ofthe three local breweries ndash Great Orme

Conwy and Nant ndash and itrsquos foodie heaven

Perhaps accompany it with a salad

dressed in the buttery nutty Blodyn Aur

rapeseed oil cold-pressed on a farm near

Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr The oilrsquos namemeans Golden Flower and it contains half

the saturated fat of olive oil and 11 timesmore Omega 3

Honeyrsquos another great healthy option ndashthe Feastrsquos originator was Peter McFadden

who produces award-winning heatherhoney from the hills above town But

these are difficult times for bees In theUK honeybee numbers have halved overthe past 25 years The disappearance

of wild flower meadows and in 2012 awet summer that stopped honeybees

collecting nectar contributed to the crisisHence the importance of the NationalBeekeeping Centre of Wales ndash another

key element back at Bodnant Welsh Foodwhere nearby Bodnant Garden provide

wonderful source material for honeybeesVisitors are able to visit demonstration

hives watch the keepers at work andhandle the bees You can even rent a hiveFor the less hands-on there is a bee cam

and a chance to buy hive produce

Yes therersquos a real buzz about foodculture in these parts

27

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 28: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2831

Whatrsquos On

in 2013

Spring summer autumn and

winter therersquos always a feast

of fun wherever you go in thispart of North Wales Wersquove got

concerts and competitions

festivals and fairs races and

rallies So come and join the

celebrations This is just a taste

of whatrsquos going on in 2013

for more details of events in

Conwy County check out

visitllandudnoorguk

and to find out about eventsin North Wales as a whole

please visit

eventsnorthwalescoukevents

RAISE THE GAME

Some of the best young rugby talent

in the northern hemisphere will be ondisplay at Eirias Colwyn Bay this yearwhen Wales take on Ireland and England

in the Under 20 Six Nations Wales areon a high after finishing third at last

yearrsquos Junior World Championship andbecoming the first team to beat NewZealand at Under 20 level They will be

keen to build on that form starting withthe clash against Ireland in February

while the Championship ends with acrunch match against old rivals England

in March

1 FebruaryWALES V IRELAND

15 MarchWALES V ENGLAND

To book your tickets for the gamesWRU wrucouk ticketsVenue Cymru venuecymrucouk

01492 872000Colwyn Leisure Centre 01492 577900

1940rsquos Festival Colwyn Bay

Three Castles Welsh Classic Trialand Heritage Tour

Access all Eirias 2012

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

28 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 29: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 2931

1 MarchST DAVIDrsquoS DAY

P A RA D E C O L W Y N BA Y

The first modern day St DavidrsquosDay parade in Wales with

a street parade led by localschoolchildren ending witha St Davidrsquos Day concert at

St Paulrsquos Church

t 01492 577600

26 MarchC O NW Y S E E D FA IR

One of Conwyrsquos 700 year old

Charter Fairs with stalls sellingplants seeds crafts home

produce and more plus ConwyFarmersrsquo Market on the Quay

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

31 MarchE A S T E R E GG H U NT

Hop along to Conwy Castlethis Easter Sunday and

participate in an Easter EggHunt Receive a free Easter egg

for taking part Egg-citing stuff

cadwwalesgovuk

14 AprilLLANDUDNO 10

This 10Km road race starts andfinishes on the promenade inLlandudno and includes a runaround the scenic Great Orme

20 amp 21 AprilCONWY JESTERrsquoS

W E E KE ND

Join our jesters for a weekendof medieval mayhem andguaranteed fun for the whole

family with the thoroughly

authentic backdrop of Conwyrsquoscastle and town walls

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

20 amp 21 April1940rsquoS FESTIVAL

C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos successthis year once again

experience the sights soundsand tastes of Britain duringWWII from ration book

cookery to vintage clothesand vehicles

t 01492 577600colwynbayheritageorguk

1-4 MayGLAMORGAN V

L A NC A S H IRE

Kick off the British summerat the ever-popular festivalweek when Glamorgan ndash

who this year celebratetheir 125th anniversary ndash

take on Lancashire in theirchampionship encounter atColwyn Bay Cricket Club

Rhos-on-Sea

t 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

VICTORIAN

E X T RA V A GA NZ A

Among Llandudnorsquos favourite

events with marching bandsstreet entertainers jugglers

fire eaters vintage fairgroundvehicles and many other

attractions all with aVictorian flavour

t 07828 108999

4-6 MayLLANDUDNO

T RA NS P O RT FE S T IV A L

The largest transport festival

in Wales this event featuresvintage vehicles of all kinds

from cars motorbikes andbuses to farm and militaryvehicles

llantransfestcouk

5 MayWELSH DRAGONS

(GLAMORGAN) V

Y O RKS H IRE

A great day out and theperfect start to the ClydesdaleBank 40 season with the visit

of Yorkshire Carnegie and theWelsh Dragons to Colwyn

Bayrsquos ground in Rhos-on-Seat 01492 544103colwynbaycricketclubcouk

11 amp 12 MayCONWY PIRATE

W E E KE ND

Grab your shipmates and join

the fun and games at ConwyPirate Weekend where you

can roll a barrel join a tug ofwar place a bid in the slaveauction sing a sea shanty and

more besidesconwypiratescouk

18 amp 19 MayBAY OF COLWYN

PROMENADE DAY

COLWYN BAY

Timed to coincide with the

opening of Porth Eirias thisevent has been extended toa whole weekend with a new

location on the promenade

closer to townt 01492 575948

5-8 JuneTHREE CASTLES

W E L S H C L A S S IC T RA IL

AND HERITAGE TOUR

BA S E D A T L L A ND U D NO

See 125 classic cars ndash from

vintage Bentleys to 70s sportscars ndash cover around 450 milesin three days of competitiverallying across the regionrsquos

most beautiful locations

t 020 8255 4860three-castlescouk

23 amp 23 JuneFE S T IV A L O F D A NC E

Get your dancing shoes onfor a whole weekend of toe

tapping dance from Bollywoodand Morris dancing to streetdancing and more

conwytowneventscouk

25-27 JuneWELSH OPEN SENIORSrsquo

C H A M P IO NS H IP

See veteran players do battleat this open contest set in

Abergele Golf Clubrsquos 18 holeseaview parkland course

abergelegolfclubcouk

29 JuneLLANDUDNO SEA

T RIA T H L O N

Voted 2010 Race of the Yearin the 220 Triathlon Awardsthis standard sprint triathlon

incorporates a sea swim anda challenging cycle section

around the Great Orme

t 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

L landudno Sea Tria t h lon

Conwy Pirate Weekend

S t D a v i d rsquo s D a y P a r a d e C o l w y n B a y

29

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 30: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3031

3-10 JulyCONWY WALKING

W E E K

Join the 10th year celebrationswith eight days of walks

around Conwy County fromcoast to mountain Walks of alllevels for adults and families

all led by local professionals

t 01492 575290conwygovukwalkingweek

4-7 JulyNORTH WA LES

BL U E GRA S S FE S T IV A L

This the 25th North WalesBluegrass Festival will see thecream of British bluegrass join

bands from all over the worldfor this four day music event

Pitch a tent and stay for the

whole festivalt 01492 580454northwalesbluegrasscouk

20 amp 21 JulyCONWY LIVING

H IS T O RY W E E KE ND

See early medieval historycome to life at the Norman

camp on the quayside withre-enactors going about their

daily lives cooking on open

fires and settling scores bythe sword

t 07703 105177conwytowneventscouk

21-27 JulyCONWY CLASSICAL

M U S IC FE S T IV A L

Choral evensong male voice

choir and early music vocalperformances are amongthe highlights of this annual

festival which is centredaround historic St Maryrsquos

Church in the heart of Conwytown

t 01492 592166conwyclassicalmusiccouk

21-28 JulyCONWY RIVER

FE S T IV A L

This well-established annual

festival celebrates the historictown of Conwy and hermajestic river estuary with

a full week of water-basedactivities and land-based

entertainment for thewhole family

t 01492 596253conwyriverfestivalorg

24-28 JulyNORTH WALES

BOATSHOW DEGANWY

Q U A Y S M A RINA

Running alongside Conwy

River Festival the Boatshowoffers plenty of exciting

entertainment whether youlove to get on the wateryourself or prefer to watch

the action from the shore

t 0845 123 5438northwalesboatshowcom

25 JulyFESTIVAL OF HERITAGE

A RT S A ND C RA FT S

Come and visit the Festival of

British Archaeology an annualextravaganza of hands-onhistorical workshops and

demonstrations at

Plas Mawr Conwycadwwalesgovuk

27-28 JulyACCESS ALL EIRIAS

E IRIA S C O L W Y N BA Y

Following last yearrsquos success

this two-day concert eventis once again set to featuretop performances by some

of the countryrsquos biggestartists playing to a huge

excited crowd

t 01492 872000

accessalleiriascom

28 July -

2 AugustCOLWYN BOWLING

FESTIVAL

One of the UKrsquos largest bowlingfestivals with seven majortournaments across Conwy

County and a prizein excess of pound5000

t 01492 575563

colwynbowlingfestivalcouk

3 AugustTHE EIRIAS

TRIATHLON COLWYN

BA Y

This sea-based middle

distance triathlon includes a1900m swim from Porth Eirias

Watersports Centre an 83kmcycle and ends with a runninglap of honour in front of Eirias

grandstandt 0161 9286795xtramileeventscom

10 AugustE GL W Y S BA C H S H O W

A great day out for all thefamily with classes for cattle

sheep light and heavyhorses plus horticulture andphotographic classes vintage

tractors a fairground and anart exhibition

t 01492 650529eglwysbachshowcouk

17 AugustSIOE WLEDIG

L L A NRW S T

A rural one day event withclasses for all agriculturalanimals from Welsh Black

cattle to sheepdogs pluslocal produce crafts vintage

vehicles and a gymkhana

t 01492 650847 after 6pmsioe-llanrwst-showcom

30 amp 31 AugustA S Y O U L IKE IT

This summer The Lord

Chamberlainrsquos Men returnto Conwy Castle with theirall male production of

Shakespearersquos mysteriousand romantic comedy

As You Like It

cadwwalesgovuk

Con w y Ri ver Fes ti val

Pixie Lott at Access all Eirias 2012

T he L or d C hambe r l ainrsquos Me n As Y ou L ik e I t

30 W W W V I S I T L L A N D U D N O O R G U K

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g

Page 31: Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

8132019 Visit Llandudno Editorial Section 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullvisit-llandudno-editorial-section-2013 3131

31 AugustGOLDWING LIGHT

P A RA D E

Join the crowds on LlandudnoPromenade to admire the

static display of GoldWingmotorcycles Then cheer

as around 100 brightly litbikes parade through thetown before returning to the

promenade for the spectacularevening display

goldwingsorguk

13 SeptemberC O NW Y H O NE Y FA IR

Showcasing the work of

Conwyrsquos busy bees for over700 years this fair is still thebest place to pick up a jar or

two of delicious local honeyhoney-based soap candles

and more

t 01492 650851conwybeekeepersorguk

1-3 OctoberLGU SENIORSrsquo HOME

INTERNATIONAL

MATCHES

The Ladiesrsquo Golf Union is nowin its 120th year and this

season the Seniorsrsquo HomeInternational comes

to Maesdu Llandudno

maesdugolfclubcouk

6 October SNOWMAN TRIATHLON

C A P E L C U RIG

Choose from lsquoFull Snowmanrsquo

(750m swim 69km cycle 9kmmountain run) or lsquoSnowman

Sprintrsquo (400m swim 31kmcycle 5km mountain run) One

of the UKrsquos toughest triathlonsnow in its 2nd year

19 OctoberC A M BRIA N RA L L Y

L L A ND U D NO

Regarded as one of the UKrsquosbest rallies and now in its 58th

year see 150 crews gather fora day of fierce competition in

the forests of Clocaenog andPenmachno

cambrianrallycouk

26 amp 27

October GWLEDD CONWY

FE A S T Celebrating its 10th year

the Feast has over 150 foodand drink stalls cookery

demonstrations local ale

marquee and stunning Blincdigital arts projections at

locations throughout thewalled town

t 01492 593874conwyfeastcouk

8-10 NovemberNORTH WALES CHORAL

FESTIVAL VENUE

C Y M RU L L A ND U D NO

Each year choirs from acrossthe UK and Europe come to

this one of Walesrsquo largest

choral competitions to heareverything from Gospel and

Male Voice to Barbershop andA Cappella

t 01492 575943northwaleschoralfestivalcom

14-17

NovemberW A L E S RA L L Y GB

Returning to Wales for a 14th

consecutive year this rally is

the British round of the FIAWorld Rally Championship

it kicks off from Llandudnoseafront

walesrallygbcom

21-24

NovemberLLANDUDNO

C H RIS T M A S FA Y RE

A great way to kick off the

festive season this Walesrsquo

largest Christmas fayrehas scores of craft giftand produce stalls sellingeverything you need for a

merry little Christmas

t 01492 574504llandudnochristmasfayrecouk

30 November -

1 DecemberNA D O L IG BE T W S -Y -

C O E D C H RIS T M A S

Events for the whole familyincluding a candlelit lanternprocession seasonal music

fireworks Santa Dash lateopening of independent shops

and galleries Plus a visit fromthe man himself

betws-y-coed-christmascouk

7 DecemberMEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS

A ND T O RC H L IT P A RA D E

A day of medieval fun

including street entertainersminstrels hobby horse joustingand a torch lit parade in the

evening

conwytowneventscouk

North Wales Choral Festival Llandudno Blinc digital projection Gwledd Conwy Feast 2012

S n o w m a n T r i a

t h l o n

C a

p e l C u r i g