Deganwy

Enjoying a fortunate position, Deganwy delivers stunning views across the water to the Isle of Anglesey and Castell Conwy (Conwy Castle). The town’s beach is a south-facing sun magnet that’s complemented by a contemporary marina and quayside development. There’s also the Quay Hotel - a four-star spa hotel for those who fancy a sea view with added indulgences – us, please!

If you’re a golfer, you’ll want to pack your clubs, as there are two courses between Llandudno and Deganwy - Maesdu and North Wales Golf Clubs.  Conwy Golf Club is just over the estuary as well. Walkers also get the goods, with routes across the Vardre hillside, along the coast to the Great Orme, and of course along the Wales Coast Path.

South of Deganwy on the banks of the River Conwy is RSPB Conwy nature reserve with masses of wildlife from black-tailed godwits to lapwings, and superb views of the upper Conwy Valley.

The site of Castell Deganwy (Deganwy Castle) sits behind the town, and has a turbulent history dating to at least the 6th century when it was the seat of King Maelgwn Gwynedd. In the centuries since, a string of powers occupied, fortified and then demolished the castle. Henry III rebuilt the castle for the last time between 1245 and 1250 before its final destruction in 1263. If you walk to the castle today, you’ll see the remains of Henry's fort.

In the spirit of Henry III’s preservation efforts, a present day rebuild has recently been completed in Deganwy. When the town’s beach shelter was severely damaged during the winter storms of 2013/14, Conwy County Borough Council put a plan into action to raise funds and assemble a specialised team for its restoration.

One of the project’s main aims was to preserve the shelter's heritage. Built in Victorian/Edwardian times, it’s on Deganwy promenade, which is part of the Wales Coastal Path and National Cycle Network. Thousands of tourists, cyclists and residents pass the shelter each year. The shelter has also become an important part of the town’s local history with its links to the early days of the development of Deganwy as a tourist destination. 

Conwy Council applied for grant funding and handed over to the Deganwy and District Residents' Association who formed a Beach Shelter Restoration Project Team. They received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Conwy Town and County Councils, the Residents' Association and HAFOD, a local fundraising group. Restoration started in March 2017 and finished at the end of August 2017. 

Three story-boards are located along the promenade, with one adjacent to the shelter, so visitors to the beach can learn about the history of Deganwy and the shelter. Each board displays a QR Code linked to the 'History Points' website which includes heritage information relevant to each board location.