| Product: |
Conwy |
| Date: |
01/08/03 (111 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Lots of different attractions, Easy to get to, Great views
Disadvantages: None really
Having lived in north Wales for 10 years now, I thought it was about time I started writing opinions about the area. I wrote an opinion about North Wales in general many months ago but haven’t written one since. As its now Summer I thought now was as good a time as any!
So, here I am. Why did I decide to write about Conwy? Do I live there? Well, nope, I live in Rhos on Sea which is about 5 miles away from Conwy. The reason why I’ve decided to write an opinion about Conwy is because its been cropping up in my life quite a bit recently.
As many of you know, I’m into the paranormal. Conwy, being an old walled town has its fair share of ghost stories. Its even said to be cursed. More on this later….
Anyway, like I said, its been cropping up in my life quite a bit recently. It was only a few days ago when a paranormal researcher from Ireland contacted me about a case he’s researching in Conwy. He contacted me for help on a certain aspect. I helped him all I could. He’s coming over to see the people affected by this case in a few weeks time and we’re hoping to meet up then. He’d been enquiring about ley lines in and around Conwy. I knew there were some and it would be logical to assume they run by, if not through the impressive Castle. I didn’t know for sure though. I looked on a map and tried figuring out where they may lie. I was going to go and dowse for them too and intend on doing this sometime soon. That was until last night (Thursday) when I went for my weekly class in paranormal investigator training. Guess what topic we studied? Yup, that’s right, ley line mapping! Needless to say, I’ve got the maps out right this second along with pieces of string, compasses, protractors, etc, etc! Hence I decided to start my “plug North Wales widely” series of opinions by an opinion about Conwy!
= = = Background = = =
Con
wy, being an historic, walled town complete with its most famous land mark, Castell Conwy, or, in English, Conwy Castle. You can’t fail to miss the Castle. The main route into Conwy (from the A55) takes you over a bridge directly next to the Castle!
= = = History = = =
Conwy Castle was constructed by the English monarch Edward I between 1283 and 1289 as one of the key fortresses in his 'iron ring' of castles to contain the Welsh.
A distinguished historian wrote of Conwy, 'Taken as a whole, Conwy's incomparably the most magnificent of Edward I's Welsh fortresses'.
In comparison to other great Edwardian castles it is also relatively straightforward in design, a reflection of the inherent strength of its siting. It is because of this that there are no concentric 'walls within walls' here. They simply were not needed. Conwy Castle is a World Heritage Inscribed site.
The views from the battlements are breathtaking looking out across mountains and sea and down to the roofless shell of the castles 125ft Great Hall. It is from these battlements that visitors can best appreciate Conwy's other great glory, its ring of town walls.
Conwy is the classic walled town. Its circuit of walls, over three quarters of a mile long and guarded by no less than 22 towers, is one of the finest in the World. (For a tour of these please see the Links section at the end of this opinion).
I’ll be writing an opinion specifically about the Castle within the next couple of weeks so I wont bother listing much more information about it or any admission fees or anything. Keep your eyes peeled for the follow-up op!
= = = Other attractions = = =
~ The marina ~
If you’re into boats you could always take a stroll alongside the marina. Its not hugely impressive and you can’t walk amongst the boats unless you’ve got a key/perm
issio
n to go down amongst them but it’s a nice walk regardless.
~ Butterfly Garden ~
Having never been to this location myself I’m afraid I can’t write a vast deal about it. I can pretty much only relay what is on the website about it so if you’re interested please see:
http://www.conwy-butterfly.co.uk/more.htm
Admission Rates
Adults £3.50
Children £2.00
(16 years and under) 3 years of age and under are free
Seniors £3.00
Students £2.00
Opening Times Daily
April to September 10.00am - 5.30pm
October 10.00am - 4.00pm
A friend of mine has been here though and she assures me it’s a good place to visit so you’ll have to take her word for it, not mine!
~ Smallest house in Britain ~
When you think about it, it’s a bit of a con this is. You have to pay to get into something that is clearly labelled “smallest”! Don’t be disappointed when it only takes you 5 minutes maximum to look around!
It is a Victorian House measuring just 122” in height and 72” in width. Being a one up, one down system you’d think you’d find a flight of stairs wouldn’t you? I’m afraid not. There’s not enough room! You’re greeted with a ladder!
There’s always someone dressed up in the traditional Welsh dress (hat ‘n’ all) outside the door hoping to take your money!
You don’t get much for your money but its only 50p so I guess its not too bad!
For a photograph and contact details please see:
http://www.northwales4all.co.uk/Attractions/Br itains%20Smallest%20House.htm
~ Shops ~
Don’t get overly excited. Its not a huge town and hence there aren’t many shops. The largest store in town would probably be that of a Woolworths and even then, its pretty small!
There are quite a few touri
sty type s
hops selling the normal tourist attraction type things. There are also quite a few shops selling crystals and other ‘new age’ type things. Other shops tend to be your normal newsagents, food shops, book shops, etc. But there again, there aren’t many so you couldn’t spend a whole day just shopping. You’ll need to either go to another town or visit other attractions in Conwy. Which leads me nicely onto….
= = = Historical attractions = = =
Obviously the Castle is the main one but like I said, I’ll be writing about the Castle separately soon so I won’t say too much about that just yet.
Other attractions mainly consist of other historical sites.
~ Plas Mawr ~
This is the finest surviving Elizabethan town house in Britain. As with the Castle, I shall be writing an opinion about this place in itself within the next few weeks so I don’t want to write too much about it in this opinion. I’ll give you a brief background but leave all the finer details until the more specific opinion.
Owned and run by CADW, this building is open to the public and, like many similar locations, you can pick up leaflets/booklets about the place, take guided tours around the house, go on audio tours and buy souvenirs from the shop.
Keep your eyes peeled over the coming week for a more detailed opinion about this place.
~ Aberconwy House ~
As there currently is no category for this on dooyoo just yet I’ll write all the details in this opinion rather than having you sit on the edge of your seats waiting for dooyoo to add the category!
Aberconwy House, owned and run by the National Trust, dates back to the 14th century. It is one of the oldest houses in Wales. Despite this though, over the six centuries it has remained remarkably unchanged. It has been restored and each room shows a differen
t moment in tim
e, reflecting the taste and character of some of the families who once lived there.
The National Trust shop is open daily all year (minus December 25th and 26th)
Admission fee’s are as follows:
Adult: £2.20
Child: £1.10
Family: £5.50
Group: £1.80
National Trust members: free
Opening times:
Open from March 29th – November 2nd from 11-5pm (closed on Tuesdays)
You can contact them directly here:
Aberconwy House,
Castle Street,
Conwy,
LL32 8AY
(01492) 592246
Below Aberconwy House is the National Trust shop. You can get in here from the street and hence not have to pay. Sadly, you’ll have to pay to look around the house itself. (Well, unless you’re a National Trust member of course!)
More information:
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scripts/nthand book.dll?ACTION=PROPERTY&PROPERT YID=136
= = = Food & drink = = =
There's plenty of places to eat in Conwy from the oh-so-traditional chippies to pubs. You're bound to find somewhere in Conwy.
= = = Getting to Conwy = = =
As mentioned earlier, the easiest route into Conwy is that of the A55 over the suspension bridge right passed the Castle.
There's a train station in Conwy but its not dead central. Buses are all pretty regular and are normally (but not always....) on time!
= = = Conwy’s Curse = = =
Stand on Telford`s suspension bridge at Conwy, look down into the river, and you will see how treacherous it can be. Conwy after all, is a town under a curse.
It is said that, before the building of Conwy Castle, a group of fishermen were casting their nets in the river, when they saw a remarkable sight. There in the net was a creature with long black hair and a fishlike tail. The fishermen had heard of such creatures and great danger was associated with them. They then s
aw the look of fear
in her eyes, and decided there was no danger. They hauled her into the boat, and took her into the town. Many people came to see her, as she begged and begged to be returned to the sea, but the men decided they were going to keep her. But keeping her out of water was to her, a long lingering death. As she died she cursed the people of Conwy, and vowed that there would be many drowning in the river, diseases and disasters in the town. No one knows what became of the fishermen, but in 1806 the ferry from the east bank of the river capsized drowning everyone. Of course the mermaids curse was blamed. On the spot where the mermaid died the old town hall was built, it burned down in 1966. It was then developed into a library and civic centre but within two months had burned down again, and the mermaid's laughter was said to be heard. Rebuilding was undertaken again, and so far the building seems unaffected by the curse.
= = = Interesting point = = =
Whilst in Conwy take a trip to the graveyard. I know, I'm morbid! *But* in there you'll find a strange looking grave (by the Church itself) with the words "We are Seven" on it. I had to research this for my paranormal investigation training a few weeks back. Its quite interesting, let me tell you! ;o)
= = = Links = = =
Tour the town of Conwy: http://www.conwy-wales.com/towntour/townwalk1.htm
Walk the walls of Conwy: http://www.conwy-wales.com/walltour/walk1.htm
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aefra - 11/08/03 Congrats on your crown. I did like the sad story of the mermaid and her curse. |
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