Distance from Bryn Bella: 12 miles / 20 minutes by car Nearest station: Llandudno Junction (half a mile from reserve) Admission: Free for RSPB members, otherwise entrance fee applies Parking: Free (car park locks at 5pm) Time needed: 1–3 hours Accessibility: Flat trails, wheelchair and mobility scooter hire available Dogs: Not permitted (except assistance dogs) Best for: Birdwatching, wildlife photography, families, rainy-day alternative to the mountains Don’t miss: Starling murmurations (autumn/winter evenings) RSPB Conwy is a 47-hectare wetland nature reserve on the east bank of the Conwy estuary, roughly 20 minutes north of Betws-y-Coed. It is one of the most accessible and rewarding wildlife sites in North Wales — a place where over 220 bird species have been recorded, otters breed in the reedbeds, and tens of thousands of starlings gather to roost on winter evenings. What makes RSPB Conwy unusual is its origin. The reserve did not exist before 1991. The land was created from dredging waste dumped during the construction of the A55 road tunnel under the Conwy estuary between 1986 and 1991. The RSPB landscaped the spoil into lagoons, reedbeds, grassland, scrubland, and salt marsh, opened it to the public on 14 April 1995, and it has been developing as a wildlife habitat ever since. It is a genuine story of environmental recovery — industrial waste transformed into one of the most biodiverse sites in the region within three decades. What You Will See The reserve’s habitats support different species through the seasons, so there is always something worth visiting for. Spring: Migrant birds arrive — sedge warblers, whitethroats, and sand martins. Breeding activity picks up on the lagoon islands, with lapwing, little ringed plover, oystercatcher, redshank, and coot all nesting. The reedbeds come alive with reed bunting, grasshopper warbler, and sedge warbler. Wildflowers begin to appear across the grassland — the reserve supports 273 recorded plant species. Summer: The lagoons fill with young ducks and waders. Little egrets arrive on the estuary. Dragonflies and damselflies (11 species recorded) patrol the ponds and ditches. Twenty-two butterfly species have been recorded on the reserve. The water level in the lagoons drops naturally through evaporation — by mid-July, the exposed mud attracts waders dropping in on their migration from northern Europe to Africa. Autumn: Migrant birds pass through on their way south. Grassland fungi appear across the reserve. The starling murmurations begin — the highlight of the year for many visitors. From late autumn into winter, up to 20,000 or more […]
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Explore a 19th century copper mine. February half term; 10-4. 1st Mar to 31 Oct; daily 9.30-5. 27 Dec to 2 Jan; 10-4. (2012) phone: 01766 890595 website: view website
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Living slate museum in buildings which once housed the workshops for the former Dinorwig Quarry. Easter to end of October: daily, 10-5. November to Easter: Sun-Fri 10-4. (2012) phone: 01286 870630 website: view website
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Hydro electric visitor centre with tour of undergound power station. Jan to May; 7 days a week 10-4.30. Main Children’s Holidays, Bank Holidays & Jun to Aug; 7 days a week 09.30-5.30. Sept to Dec: 7 days a week 10-4.30. (2012) phone: 01286 870636 website: view website
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Eco-fun and adventure for all the family. 10-19 Feb (11-5) 17 March to 2 Sept (10-5.30) 3 Sept to 4 Nov (11-5) (2012) phone: 01248 670076 website: view website
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