Penmaenmawr combines a long promenade and a wide sandy beach on Conwy Bay with a steep hill walk and archaeological traces. This offers different options for planning your trip: time on the coast, a walk into the hills or insights into the history of the town.

Coast, Beach and Getting There

Penmaenmawr Beach stretches for more than half a mile. At low tide, the beach is sandy; stones and pebbles lie in the upper part of the bay. The long promenade and wide beach define this stretch of coast. The coastal waters at Penmaenmawr Beach are part of the Menai Strait and Conwy Bay Special Area of Conservation.

Windsurfing, sailing and canoeing are possible at the beach. Penmaenmawr Beach is also easily accessible for wheelchair users. Practical facilities include an e-bike charging and maintenance station. These beach features offer various ways to enjoy a stay on the coast, from water sports to a visit to the seaside.

By car, you can reach the beach via the A55; there is a large pay-and-display car park next to the promenade. Penmaenmawr railway station is close to the beach and is a request stop for all train services on the North Wales Coast. Check the timetable before travelling so you can take the request stop into account when planning your journey.

The Penmaenmawr Paddling Pool is a separate leisure attraction. The pool measures 11 metres by 8 metres and has a waterfall. It can be reached on foot from the main road via an underpass.

Hill Walks and History

The Penmaenmawr Upland Walk offers a different focus from the coast: the ascent and descent are steep, and the route runs mainly along tracks, paths and grassy trails. It starts and ends at the Library car park in Penmaenmawr. The landscape along the walk is rich in birdlife and wildlife. If you plan to take this route, its steep profile is an important difference from a day devoted mainly to the beach.

In addition, walking routes from Penmaenmawr lead into the surrounding hills and along old Roman roads. Another historical site lies near the Wales Coast Path above Penmaenmawr: the remains of a Stone Age axe factory. This site can be considered as a heritage attraction in its own right, without associating it with the Penmaenmawr Upland Walk.

At Druids' Circle, ten stones are still standing; the raised stone circle is about 35 metres in diameter. Penmaenmawr Museum covers the Neolithic and Bronze Age history of the uplands, as well as the history of the Victorian seaside resort and the quarry workers. The local story therefore spans early history in the hills, the development of the seaside resort and work in the quarries.

These differences can help guide your choice of accommodation: the beach, water sports and promenade offer a different focus from hill walks and heritage. For getting there, you can choose either the road via the A55 or the nearby railway station; if travelling by train, remember that it is a request stop.

Discover more destinations: Betws-Y-Coed, Conwy, Llanbedr-Y-Cennin, Llandudno Junction, Corwen, Llanrwst, Deganwy, Towyn.

Return to the main travel overview: Conwy.