Craiglands House

Deganwy Castle

by lomi

If you travel by road you will pass Deganwy Castle on the way to Llandudno. It's high up on the hill overlooking Conwy, Deganwy Marina and West Shore beach.

Documents show that Robert of Rhuddlan built a castle here in 1080. The ruins visible today belong mainly to Henry III's castle. The defences of the bailey - earth banks and ditches on the north side, the base of two D-shaped gatehouse towers, and the curtain wall built by Edward I on the south - can still be recognized. The mass of fallen masonry near the base of the gatehouse is a relic of the demolition of 1263.

Great site for a summer picnic as the views are terrific.

Great Orme

by antistar

A hugely important region long before Llandudno became a famous tourist resort, the Great Orme has been active in human history for thousands of years. From early neolithic copper miners, through 13th century Bishoprics, the Great Orme has been making its mark. The town of Llandudno is a late comer and young ursurper.

The Great Orme is a spit of rock shot through with valuable minerals that juts out into the Irish sea north of Llandudno. It's high enough to offer views all the way to Anglesea and the Menai Straits. Even in not so perfect weather you can make out such landmarks as Puffin Island. The rock is a nature reserve topped by a small observation area, and encircled by the Marine Drive.

If you have time you should go both up and around the rock, but you should do at least one.

Great Orme Copper Mines

by munki

Copper deposits were found at nearly surface level two centuries ago.
Miners were quick to act and dug the mountain surface in search of the ore.
The area soon became an important copper mine and more excavations took place to dig the precious copper.
Great Orme Copper Mine is a self-tour that will take you down to some of the old tunnels.

Colwyn Bay Zoo

by RobMorgan

Colwyn Bay Zoo is not very big, as Zoo's go, but do excellent conservation work.It's only 5mins drive from the town centre & is well signposted. As it's perched on a hill top, it has beautiful views & a perfect place for taking a picnic.

Chimp & baby come to inspect us through the glass screen.

Can't remember if this is a Croc or Alligator !!!
All I know is, they both bite!!!

Camels.

Log Cabin Souvenir Shop. They have a great selection, from cuddly toy animals, calenders, books, mugs, etc.

There's a great children's adventure playground, but Liz couldn't resist having a go !!!

Sea-Lion pool. The Zoo is collecting money to make a bigger pool for the sea-lions.

This is Rodney (the Eagle, not the girl !!).

This is a bear that was rescued & given a new home here at the zoo. In its former life it was made to dance on hot coals, amongst other cruel things. The zoo does a lot of things that people don't know about. Visit theit website -- www.welshmountainzoo.org

There is a corner set aside as a Children's Zoo, where there are goats, rabbits, chickens, etc & the children canwalk around & stroke them.