Route 1 M62/56 to Llandudno / Conwy
This route started many years ago to break up the journey, but as we find more places you have to pick and choose what to see or it would take ages.
Let’s start with Llandudno.
Landudno is a spectacular seaside resort that has been a settlement since before the Iron Age. The Victorians expanded it over 150 years ago; the railway station prompted its growth. It has two Blue Flag beaches both with spectacular views, a pier, Punch and Judy, donkey rides etc. with plenty to see and do but the journey on the way can be just as good.
The start of the route
Take the M56 towards North Wales
Head for the A55 Conwy
Next target place Dyserth
Leave the A55 at junction 31 signposts for Dyserth A5151
It’s handy for a toilet stop as there is a large garage with a Greggs and McDonalds
It’s a short drive to Dyserth through some spectacular views, as its part of the Clewydian hills range and an area of outstanding natural beauty
https://www.dyserth.com/Dyserth-Guide-Web.pdf
https://www.dyserth.com/history.html
As you go through the village turn right following the sign for the waterfall.
There is a small carpark and it’s 50p to go to the waterfall. You can take a small circular walk through the woods and across a stream with some very nice views.
In 1973 a film was made Holiday on The Buses which was a spin off from a TV series On the Buses.
It was filmed in the area outside the waterfall and Rhuddlan Castle amongst other places. The Fan Club still run an annual trip to Pontins each September.
Club http://www.onthebusesfanclub.com/index.html
Trip http://www.onthebusesfanclub.com/id195.html
Next place Prestatyn
As it’s so close you might aswell see the Roman Bath House at Prestatyn and it’s free!
As you leave Dyserth on the A5119 passing the New Inn on the left to come to a crossroads
Turn right towards Prestatyn A547
Head for the Roman Bath House Melyd Ave, Prestatyn LL19 8R. It is signposted but easy to miss, if you get to Aldi you have missed it.
Prestatyn town is a nice place for a wander around with plenty of independent eating places.
If you fancy fish and chips
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g551989-d1319163-Reviews-Karls_Fish_Chips-Prestatyn_Denbighshire_North_Wales_Wales.html
8 Station Road, Prestatyn LL19 7HF
Next place Rhuddlan
Leave Prestatyn the way you came in on the A547 heading to Rhuddlan use the Castle Post code for a route
Castle St, Rhuddlan LL18 5AD
Rhuddlan Castle is a castle located in Rhuddlan, Denbighshire, Wales. It was erected by Edward I in 1277.
We just drive past as the entrance fee is a bit steep at £4 each unless there is a special event
https://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/rhuddlancastle/?lang=en
Pass the castle over the bridge ( featured in the 60s film Holiday on the buses.) If you are a fan click here http://www.onthebusesfanclub.com
Next target place Rhos On Sea
At the roundabout go straight across A547 Ffordd Abergele. This is an original Roman road and at the end you will come to a McDonalds (Handy toilet stop) and there’s a large pet shop.
Re join the A55 heading to Conwy.
Leave the A55 at junction 22 follow the promenade signs which will take you to Colwyn Bay along blue flag beach, excellent for bike rides, kite flying etc…
A very handy site for checking out beaches.
Continue along the Promenade until you reach Rhos on Sea, a small seasside town with a few shops and nice eating places.
Marmalade is a good place for food, they also allow dogs in
https://marmaladekitchen.co.uk/index.html
The beach is also nice and there is a very good free kids playground and paddling pool just out of the centre on the promenade road.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1918560-d7720746-Reviews-Rhos_on_Sea_Paddling_Pool-Rhos_on_Sea_Conwy_County_North_Wales_Wales.html
Abbey Road, Rhos-on-Sea LL28 4NG
Rhos has a few nice shops selling the essentials and a few pubs, cafes etc.
If you like ice cream this place is good but not cheap:
St Trillo’s Chapel, Marine Drive, Rhos-on-Sea
This tiny building is thought to be the smallest church in the British Isles. It has enough seats for just six people. The chapel is named after St Trillo, a 6th-century saint who built his cell here. Communion services are still held in the church.
The building has been heavily repaired over the centuries, and its age is unknown. St Trillo’s cell was probably made of wood and wattle, although he may have built a wall of stones gathered from the beach to protect the structure from winds.
The spring inside the chapel provided St Trillo with drinking water. You can still see the well in front of the altar, if the chapel is unlocked. This water source would have influenced his decision to build his cell at this spot. For centuries, this well supplied the water for baptisms across the extensive medieval parish of Llandrillo. It also had a long tradition of being a healing well.
If you fancy something totally different try this Bryn Euryn
Bryn Euryn is a prominent limestone hill overlooking Rhos on Sea, with fine views from the summit. It is a rich mixture of grassland and woodland, part of it being a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It also has great historical interest with Llys Euryn – a house dating from the 15th century – and a hilltop fort from the 6th century. It is well served by a network of paths, including the Summit Trail, which links Llys Euryn and the fort at the summit
Next target place Angel Bay to see the seals.
Lots of good info here
https://theresagreen.me/little-orme-rhiwledyn-nature-reserve/grey-seal-halichoerus-grypus/
Angel Bay is an inlet on the Little Orme’s Headland on the North Wales Coast. Known locally as Angel Bay it has been given the Welsh title of Porth Dyniewaid on the Ordnance Survey maps. Dolphins porpoises, seals and a wide variety of birds from kittiwakes, gulls, razorbills, fulmars and cormorants visit Angel Bay.
Disables access has now been added if you have a Radar key
Care has to be taken to avoid disturbing the seals, especially at seal pupping time, which is normally late August through until November (but seals will also ‘haul-out’ on to the shore for moulting in January through to April). At Angel Bay however it is easy to avoid disturbing the seals – just stay on top of the bank, surrounding the bay – it’s a great viewpoint. Keep dogs quiet and on a lead.
This link shows some of the walks around the area:
Head to Penrhyn Bay, the best landmark is the Co-op supermarket post code LL30 3NL
https://finder.coop.co.uk/food/store/LL30-3NL/glan-y-mor-road
Angel Bay is a short walk through the housing estate behind the Co-op, about 10 – 20 minutes flat easy walk depending on where you can park.
Next over the Little Orm to Llandudno
The Little Orme is a limestone headland east of Llandudno
It is less developed than its bigger and more famous neighbour, the Great Orme, which makes it great for exploring and a haven for wildlife.
It is readily accessible on foot from Llandudno promenade or by bike (NCN route 5).
The North Wales Wildlife Trust manages 5 hectares of the Little Orme, Rhiwledyn nature reserve. Distinctive plants of limestone grassland can be found here, such as Hoary rockrose and Dropwort, and the areas of scrub are ideal for many nesting bird species.
Next stop Llandudno / Conwy.
Llandudno
Lots to do but I would start by looking at this video to give you some ideas.
Or Conwy
These will give you a taster as they are very different. I will add a separate page for each place.
Home the way you came or A55