Our fun times in North Wales

My blog is primarily my diary, a place for me to record our trips, adventures and wine discoveries. It's lovely that others enjoy reading it too and maybe try a few locations, activities or drinks themselves. 

That said this post is my general round up about our fabulous week in North Wales at Deganwy. A place we had never heard of that nestles on the east side of the Conwy Estuary behind Llandudno, opposite Conwy and overlooking Angelsey.

Our apartment was super; one bedroom, bathroom, kitchen/diner and lounge. Being on the second floor we were grateful for the lift and with private parking it made a very comfy home from home.

But our main reason for choosing this apartment were the views, absolutely stunning, the patio doors with a glass balcony meant we could let the warm Welsh air in whilst enjoying the sights and sounds of the sea.

And there were sights and sounds a plenty, looking left we had a super view of Conwy Castle across the estuary. The trains ran every 20 minutes but were never intrusive, it was quite nice to hear them go past. We could also see the yachts sailing in and out of the marina, especially in the evenings as the sun went down.

Looking right we overlooked the Conwy coastline line and Angelsey. There was always something to see or hear.

The down side of Deganwy was it's lack of pubs or restaurants. There was a Chinese restaurant and expensive French restaurant in the small row of shops (beauticians and estate agents) but disappointingly no bar or pub to sit outside enjoying the views; if we win the lottery there's a business opportunity awaiting.

Our first night we walked along the estuary about a mile to the chip shop which was also eat in. It was certainly worth the stroll as the fish was delicious, too many chips but so so tasty. We did find the Castle View pub just around the corner and enjoyed a drink before the walk back. A shame really it wasn't nearer to our apartment but after long days out exploring the walk was a bit too far.

Unbeknown to us when we booked our first weekend coincided with Llanduduno's Vintage transport weekend. Deganwy is just one train stop from Llandudno which saved on parking, of course the trains were packed as it was a very busy weekend. 

Llandudno's town centre was closed to traffic with fairground rides set all along the high street, what a great atmosphere. The main showground was just out of town, we didn't go but really enjoyed seeing the few traction engines and other vehicles in the town.

Llandudno is a traditional sea side town that we had visited years ago when our son was small. It was nice to see some traditional entertainment still attracting the crowds and the pier open; very busy and quite a walk to the end. All the fun of the sea side was on offer from candy floss stalls, ice cream sellers, live music at the end of the pier and of course the amusement arcades with their tipping point machines.

It was also the Victorian Festival with many people dressed in Victorian clothing. Earlier in the day a steam train had pulled into the station and the 'Victorians'enjoyed an Afternoon Tea  on board. 

We were back in our apartment when the steam train departed but a bonus of staying above the railway line is we had a birds eye view as it steamed past.

I always holidayed in North Wales in the 1970s with my Dad and the scouts, it was a treat when Dad drove to Angelsey crossing the Menai Suspension Bridge. So lovely to do this again and visit Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrynrobwllllantysiliogogogoch which I can say but you'll have to take my word on that!

We had an amazing week, out everyday visiting all the National Trust and Cadw properties in the area. We really enjoy being NT members and as we are co tuning English Heritage members we now enjoy free admission to Cadw properties.

These are the places we visited, as well as a local vineyard, with links to each dedicated post: 

Chirk Castle        Conwy Castle        Beaumaris Castle   

Penrhyn Castle       Plas Mawr          Plas Newydd   

Gwinllan Conwy Vineyard       Bodnant Gardens 

Needless to say we walked miles doing so many steps everyday. It was interesting to see our fit tracker, Monday was our drive around Angelsey and Thursday our vine tasting followed by a chilled last afternoon enjoying the views.

As you can see we had a superb time in North Wales and hopefully won't leave it so long until we visit again. Maybe in Conwy itself next time as it had so many lovely shops, bars and restaurants, although I don't think we'd manage in The Smallest House in Great Britain, it was cute but so so small!

Plas Mawr

Hidden away behind a substantial gatehouse in the centre of Conwy is Plas Mawr a fine Elizabethan townhouse. The gatehouse in the High Street sits alongside many independent shops and it isn't until you step inside into the courtyard you begin to discover this amazing house.

The house was built by Robert Wynn who amassed his fortune through many business dealing throughout Europe in Tudor times. He purchased the land in 1570 and commissioned specialist plasterers to produce the heraldic emblems of his and his wife Dorothy's families.

Sadly Dorothy died in 1586, Robert remarried, his second wife also being called Dorothy, they had seven children. 

Plas Mawr is a Cadw property and has been extensively restored with the rooms furnished as they would have been in the mid 1660s. The audio guide provided on admission was superb with Robert Wynn narrating and his wife adding her thoughts and opinions, it certainly bought the building to life. 

The kitchen played a very important part in the Elizabethan household with grand meals. Plas Mawr's owner enjoyed entertaining in the style of high Society and court, as such the house would have had as many as twenty servants.

An important room was the brewhouse, the room used to brew small ale which was drunk by most people as water was not as clean as it is today. It was also used to heat large quantities of water used for laundry.

Robert certainly put his mark on the house with many dated plasterwork in the rooms, particularly above fireplaces. 

The attic rooms had quite low ceilings as originally the floor below was designed to ha e high ceilings to the roof, displaying the well structured roof beams. A second floor was fitted and so only these attic rooms show the timbers with their original pegs. In subsequent years these rooms were let to tenants as after Robert's death in 1665 his daughter Elin marries and no longer lives in the house.

The history of the house, it's owner Robert Wynn, his family and the story of the house since the 1600s is amazing. It is such a surprise nestling in the middle of a bustling town. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit especially with the audio guide.

Conwy Castle

Our holiday stay in North Wales looked across the Conwy Estuary to Conwy castle, what a view, and so of course a visit was a must. As members for over two years of English Heritage we can also visit Cadw properties which opens up so many exciting places, Conwy Castle being just one. 

It is another of Edward I's fortress ring, this time he also built walls around the town. Using his architect Master James of St George Edward's castle and walled town was completed in just 4 years, 1283 - 1287.

Today there are three bridges crossing the estuary to give access to the town and it's Castle, however when built Edward I defended the water access with outer battlements. 

The road bridge was built in the late 1950s and was the main road through Conwy until a tunnel was built under the estuary in 1991 for the A55 tunk road to Angelsey.

The beautiful suspension bridge is one of Thomas Telford's finest and is the same design as his bridge to Angelsey, the Menai Bridge. It was built in 1826 and is now looked after by National Trust.

The third bridge is for rail, built by Robert Stephenson in 1849. It is the only example remaining of his tubular bridge made of wrought iron. All three bridges run parallel to each other, quite a feat of engineering spanning the Conwy river. 

Despite building this magnificent eight towered fortress with the high outer walls built to provide defence and safety Edward I only stayed once at the castle and his wife Eleanor of Castile died before it was completed. Maybe this accounts for the glum looking welcomer.

Edward II did however spend a number of months here in 1301. Richard II was also at the castle in 1399, unsuccessfully negotiating before being captured. The castle was used over time as intended with the royal apartments changed into one large chamber. As with many properties across England and Wales the castle was heavily damaged during the Civil War and never used as a residence again. 

There is so much to explore, many of the spiral staircases are still complete a d once climbed the views are amazing. The remaining walls give a good insight into how life was intended to be, if only for a few years by successive royals and not its builder Edward I.

It was another superb visit, you can easily let your imagination flow picturing the castle draped in royal banners with knights on horseback. It was certainly an imposing place in a stunning location, one of Wales' best, if built by an English King.