Pont Fawr in Llanrwst dates from 1636, providing a tangible architectural anchor for the town’s history. Other topics range from sacred interior furnishings and historic domestic architecture to gardens and woodland trails. When planning, it helps to consider whether you would prefer to focus on architectural forms and history or on nature. This lets you shape your stay around a clear interest instead of giving equal weight to the different themes.

Pont Fawr: Construction and significance

Pont Fawr consists of three segmental arches; the springing piers extend upwards to form triangular refuges. So it is not only the year of construction that is known: the structure also offers a tangible introduction to bridge architecture. The date 1636 places the structure in time, while the arches and piers describe its construction. Pont Fawr is of national importance because it can add to our knowledge of transport and bridge-building.

Gwydir Chapel: Furnishings and history

Gwydir Chapel in St Grwst’s Church preserves furnishings and fittings from the 17th century in the “Artful Renaissance” style. Alongside this stylistic view of the interior is a single object: an ornate 13th-century coffin attributed to Llewelyn the Great. The furnishings thus offer a perspective on the design of the space, while the coffin draws attention to an individual object and its attributed connection to a historical figure.

Gwydir Castle and its garden

Gwydir Castle was built around 1500 by the Wynn family and is a Tudor courtyard house. The approximate date and the description as a courtyard house answer two different questions: when was it built, and what type of building is it? Unlike Pont Fawr, where the segmental arches and piers are the focus, this classification leads to a different architectural perspective. The castle stands in a 10-acre garden, which is Grade I listed.

Tu Hwnt i’r Bont

Tu Hwnt i’r Bont is a Grade II-listed 15th-century tearoom; it was built in 1480 as a dwelling. Its former residential use and its description as a tearoom highlight different aspects of the building’s history. The building is surrounded by gardens offering views of the Conwy Valley. As operating arrangements may change, check current opening arrangements before visiting.

Woodland trails in Gwydir Forest

Llanrwst is on the edge of Gwydir Forest, a network of scenic woodland trails. This nature-focused theme differs from looking at a single building: the focus is on a trail network. If you would like to give more weight to the nature side of your stay, you can make the woodland trails your own planning focus. Conditions on individual trails may change, so check the relevant trail before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Dolwyddelan, Dolgarrog, Conwy, Pentrefoelas, Old Colwyn, Llandudno Junction, Llanbedr-Y-Cennin, Gwytherin

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