Campervan Travel and Adventures in Conwy, North Wales 🚐🏰🌅
There are few things better in life than pointing an old campervan towards the Welsh coast, filling the kettle for emergency tea stops, and seeing where the road takes you. This week, our trusty 1989 Talbot Express carried us into the heart of North Wales for a memorable escape to the beautiful medieval town of Conwy.
Think dramatic castle walls, estuary sunsets, cosy village pubs, seabirds putting on an airshow, and fish and chips that deserve a standing ovation. Add a touch of campervan chaos and a slightly overenthusiastic parking session, and you have the perfect Vineyards and Villages road trip. 😄
If you love UK campervan travel, historic towns, coastal walks, and hidden Welsh gems, Conwy should absolutely be on your travel list.
First Stop: Sunset Views Over the Conwy Estuary 🌅🦆
One of the great joys of campervan life is discovering those unexpected overnight spots that turn into magical memories.
We found a peaceful little place overlooking the Conwy Estuary and honestly, we could have stayed there for days.
The evening light slowly turned the water gold while flocks of birds drifted over the estuary. Curlews called in the distance. Gulls argued loudly about absolutely nothing. A few swans floated past looking far more elegant than we ever manage after a long campervan drive.
The Talbot Express settled in for the evening with its usual collection of creaks and rattles. At this point, those noises are basically part of the family.
With a hot drink in hand and the sunset reflecting off the water, North Wales delivered one of those simple travel moments that money cannot buy.
Exploring Llansanffraid Glan Conwy 🍺⛪
Before heading fully into Conwy itself, we spent time exploring the lovely village of Glan Conwy, officially known as Llansanffraid Glan Conwy.
This little Welsh village has the kind of peaceful charm that makes you immediately slow down your pace. Stone cottages, quiet lanes, and beautiful countryside surround the area.
Naturally, no village exploration is complete without “research purposes” in the local pub. 🍻
That led us directly to the cosy and welcoming Cross Keys, where we enjoyed a pint with the locals.
The atmosphere was wonderfully traditional. Friendly chatter filled the room. The pub had that comforting feeling that only old Welsh village pubs seem to master. Low beams, warm lighting, and proper pub conversation — not somebody shouting into a mobile phone speaker for once.
A good pint tastes even better after a campervan drive through Wales.
A Peaceful Churchyard and Welsh History ⛪🌿
A short walk from the pub brought us to a beautiful local church surrounded by an old churchyard filled with weathered gravestones and mature trees.
The architecture immediately caught our attention. Ancient stone walls. Traditional Welsh character. Quiet surroundings.
There is something wonderfully calming about old churchyards in Britain. They tell stories without saying a word.
Birdsong echoed through the grounds while evening light filtered through the trees. It felt miles away from modern life.
Places like this remind you why slower travel matters. Campervan journeys are not only about destinations. Sometimes the small unexpected stops become the highlights of the entire trip.
Arriving in Conwy 🚐🏰
The next morning, we made the short drive into Conwy itself and parked near the mighty Conwy Castle.
Parking was straightforward enough initially.
The return to the campervan later? Slightly more expensive than planned. 😅
Apparently, time passes very quickly when wandering around medieval castles. Who knew?
Still, the small parking penalty was entirely worth it for the experience.
Conwy instantly impressed us. The town feels like stepping into another century. Medieval walls surround much of the centre, while narrow streets lead towards the harbour and waterfront.
Unlike some tourist towns that feel overly polished, Conwy still has genuine character.
The Smallest House in Britain 🏠📏
One of Conwy’s most famous attractions is the delightfully tiny The Smallest House in Great Britain.
And when they say small, they really mean small.
This bright red little house squeezed along the quay measures only around 72 inches wide. Standing beside it immediately raises one important question:
“How did anybody actually live in there without permanently bumping their elbows?”
The last resident reportedly stood over six feet tall, which somehow makes the whole thing even more impressive.
Touristy? Absolutely. Worth seeing? Definitely.
It is quirky little attractions like this that give British seaside towns their charm.
Walking Along the Marine Walk 🌊🚶
After exploring the harbour area, we enjoyed a relaxing stroll along Conwy’s waterfront and Marine Walk.
Fresh sea air rolled in from the coast while boats bobbed gently in the harbour. Across the water, the surrounding hills created a dramatic backdrop.
The views from here are fantastic.
You can see the estuary, the castle walls, and the impressive engineering landmarks that make Conwy so unique.
The atmosphere felt wonderfully relaxed. Families wandered along the promenade. Cyclists cruised past. Seagulls continued their lifelong mission of looking suspiciously at everybody carrying chips.
The Conwy Tunnel and Suspension Bridge 🌉🚗
Modern engineering and medieval history sit side by side in Conwy.
The impressive Conwy Suspension Bridge remains one of the town’s standout landmarks. Designed by the legendary engineer Thomas Telford and completed in 1826, the bridge was built to connect the road route along the North Wales coast.
Standing beside it today, it still looks magnificent.
Nearby sits the modern Conwy Tunnel, carrying traffic beneath the estuary and surrounding landscape.
The contrast between old and new infrastructure makes Conwy fascinating. Medieval battlements overlook modern transport links while fishing boats drift below ancient walls.
Britain does this blend of history and modern life remarkably well.
Galleon Fish and Chips — A Proper Coastal Feast 🐟🍟
At some point during any seaside road trip, fish and chips become unavoidable.
Not that we were resisting very hard.
We stopped at The Galleon Fish & Chips and were rewarded with excellent fish and chips.
Crispy batter. Flaky fish. Proper chunky chips.
No fancy reinventions. No unnecessary foam or “deconstructed tartare experience.”
Just proper fish and chips done properly.
Exactly as it should be.
Naturally, a few seagulls watched us with intense professional interest.
Exploring the Mighty Conwy Castle 🏰⚔️
The absolute highlight of the trip was undoubtedly Conwy Castle.
Even from a distance, the castle dominates the skyline with its enormous towers and imposing stone walls.
Built between 1283 and 1287 by King Edward I during his conquest of Wales, Conwy Castle formed part of a powerful chain of fortresses designed to control the region. The architect behind the project was James of Saint George, one of medieval Europe’s greatest military designers.
The castle remains one of the finest preserved medieval fortresses in Europe today.
Walking through the entrance genuinely feels like travelling back in time.
We spent hours exploring tower after tower, staircase after staircase, and room after room. Every section sparked the imagination.
You can almost picture medieval soldiers patrolling the walls. Fires burning in the great hall. Horses in the courtyards. Merchants arriving through the town gates.
The views from the battlements are spectacular. From above, you can see the estuary, harbour, suspension bridge, town walls, and surrounding mountains.
It is impossible not to stop every few minutes for photographs.
The castle’s design was incredibly advanced for its time. Massive defensive walls, narrow staircases, strategic towers, and protected gateways all demonstrate how seriously medieval warfare was taken.
Some areas feel surprisingly intimate despite the scale of the fortress. Others feel cold, vast, and intimidating.
As we wandered through the old stone corridors, we kept imagining the lives lived there centuries ago.
And yes… this is probably where we accidentally exceeded the parking meter limit. 😄
Worth every penny.
Campervan Life in North Wales 🚐❤️
Trips like this perfectly capture why we love campervan travel in the UK.
You can chase sunsets beside estuaries. Discover hidden villages. Enjoy a spontaneous pub stop. Wake up beside incredible scenery. Explore castles at your own pace.
North Wales is ideal for slow travel.
The roads are scenic. Distances between destinations are manageable. Historic towns blend beautifully with coastline and mountains.
Even our elderly Talbot Express seemed especially happy rolling through Wales.
Well… apart from uphill sections.
Accommodation in Conwy 🏨
Although campervan travel is our favourite way to explore, Conwy also offers plenty of accommodation options for travellers.
Visitors will find a wide range of hotels, cosy guesthouses, traditional B&Bs, self-catering cottages, and holiday apartments throughout Conwy and the surrounding North Wales area.
Whether you prefer luxury stays, historic inns, budget accommodation, or campervan-friendly sites, there is something available for every style of traveller.
How to Get to Conwy 🚗🚆
From London
Conwy is approximately 260 miles from London. By car, the journey usually takes around 4.5 to 5.5 hours via the M6 and A55. Direct trains from London Euston to nearby Llandudno Junction are also available, with onward connections into Conwy.
From Cardiff
The drive from Cardiff takes roughly 4 to 5 hours depending on traffic, mainly via the A470 and A55 routes. Rail connections are also available but usually involve changes along the way.
From Manchester
Conwy is an easy road trip from Manchester and takes around 1.5 to 2 hours via the M56 and A55. Train services are frequent and convenient.
From Liverpool
Liverpool to Conwy takes approximately 1.5 hours by car along the North Wales Expressway. Rail routes are also straightforward and popular with weekend visitors.
Final Thoughts on Conwy 🌅🏰🚐
Conwy completely stole our hearts.
It combines medieval history, coastal scenery, welcoming pubs, fantastic food, and proper Welsh charm in one compact little town.
For campervan travellers, it is close to perfect. Scenic parking spots. Walkable attractions. Historic streets. Memorable sunsets.
And, of course, one very distracting castle capable of making you forget your parking meter expiry time entirely.
From Conwy, we continued our North Wales adventure onwards to the legendary seaside resort of Llandudno.
But that is a story for the next post… 🚐
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