My Welsh adventures

Seaside Pier-Conwy

Conwy Castle

"Croeso I conwy,” the bright blue board told us. And before we knew, we were scrambling for the dictionary. But thankfully, just next to it the English board said “Welcome to Conwy.”

Yes, Welcome to Conwy.

An ancient walled market town on the north coast of Wales, this quaint little town is famous for its medieval Edwardian castle, nostalgia tinged houses and a place where the old Welsh language is still spoken-- sometimes casually, sometimes officially but always with pride.

Conwy castle, takes a place of pride in the narrow cobbled pathways of the city. And it is easily the centre point of the town, everything else surrounds this giant of a castle. Home to King Edward 1 between 1283 and 1289, it was built during England’s second campaign in the North Wales.

Much of the castle is in ruins but as you walk around, you can still signs of the ancient times. The castle was designed to have inner and outer ward. Today, the inner ward is in shambles but even then it doesn’t stop you from travelling to a different era. A World heritage project, the castle’s massive defensive wall still stands tall and proud.

Conwy Castle

As you step out, this town comes tantalizingly alive. We walked its paths and discovered its many niche shops while the waves from the nearby coastal pier gave us company throughout.

Panoramic view--Snowdonia

From Conwy, we drove to the nearby Llandudno. Wales, is a city for drivers. As your vehicle whizzes, your eyes are treated to beautiful rugged mountains, almost whimsical houses and vast green plains with schools of sheep.

Just half-an-hour drive from Conwy, Llandudno is a seaside resort. Llandudno, is a place where fictional heroine Alice from Alice of Wonderland , holidayed during her summer vacations.  It is famous of its Pier, Bay and the Happy Valley.

Woodlands near Llandudno Pier

The Pier behind me

Our first stop was the Pier, a spectacle designed in Indian gothic style. It is made of cast iron, brackets of lacework in iron with a pretty balustrade and mouth extending to the beautiful blue waters of the sea, the Pier seduces your senses right away.

We take the much popular ropeway to explore the area. As the ropeway starts, at a breathtaking height, I cross my fingers and toes and open my eyes to the view of North Wales. The sea and the captivating Snowdon Mountains live me speechless.

Pretty Big thing

Bay From the Ropeway

And as the ropeway proceeds, the town of Llandudno becomes a mere dot in the vastness of the beautiful coastal ground of Wales. It’s an opportunity not to be missed. After stepping out, I go straight towards the pier to experience the blue waters of the sea up, close and personal.

Candid Camera

The village

The Village train

My reverie admiring the sea is broken, when husband announces that it’s time for the Bay--a gentle sweep between the sea made of rock and sand. The area of the Bay is the Marine Drive, a beautiful long road where the sea accompanies you on one side and the mountains accompanies you from the other side.

And here we are

Marine Drive

Llandudno, in a nutshell is this—a place where sea beautifully marries the mountains.

Llandudno, rydych yn wych.

Stumped?

Llandudno, you are marvellous