About Eirias Park
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Eirias Park is Colwyn Bay’s principal public park — around 50 acres of managed green space in the northern part of the town, close to the town centre and easily accessible on foot or by car. The name eirias is Welsh for “blazing” or “glowing”. The council bought the first 27 acres in April 1921 and the remainder in 1929, with the playing fields formally opened on 27 September 1923 — the park has been at the centre of Colwyn Bay’s public life for over a century. By 1933 it already had an 18-hole miniature golf course, eight shale tennis courts, two bowling greens, a model yacht lake, a café and a rock garden — several of these traditions (the lake, the bowling greens) survive in some form today.
The park covers a substantial area and includes the boating lake, formal garden areas, children’s play facilities, sports pitches, an athletics arena with grandstand, Colwyn Leisure Centre, and the Stadiwm Eirias professional rugby and events stadium. It is one of the more well-maintained public parks on the North Wales coast, benefiting from Conwy County Borough Council investment over recent years.
The Park’s Facilities
Eirias Park has a lake at its centre, used for model boating and as a wildlife feature. A children’s adventure play area within the park provides a good option for families visiting the town. The park has cafe facilities open in season, public toilets, and generous open grassland for picnics and informal recreation.
Colwyn Leisure Centre, within the park, was opened by Princess Margaret in 1981 and remains one of the town’s main indoor sports facilities — a six-lane 25m swimming pool with a water slide, plus a fitness suite. Outdoors, the park has a floodlit synthetic hockey and football pitch and an athletics arena with its own grandstand, used by local clubs and schools year-round. Combined with the lake, stadium and play area, it's one of the few parks in North Wales that genuinely caters to all ages in a single visit.
Events at Eirias Park
Since Stadiwm Eirias was redeveloped in 2011, Eirias Park has become one of the primary outdoor concert venues in North Wales, with capacity for around 15,000 for major shows. Acts to have played here include Elton John (2014), Tom Jones and Jessie J (2014), Lionel Richie, Bryan Adams, Little Mix, Olly Murs, Corinne Bailey Rae, The Vamps and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds (2022). The park also hosts the annual Access All Eirias festival, alongside food and drink festivals, community fairs and seasonal events. The open grass areas adjacent to the stadium give space for audiences significantly larger than the stadium’s seated capacity.
Check Conwy County Borough Council’s events pages and local North Wales news sites for upcoming events at Eirias Park. Large events sell out in advance — booking early is necessary for the most popular concerts and festivals.
Getting to Eirias Park
Eirias Park is around 15 minutes on foot from Colwyn Bay station and 10 minutes from the town centre. By car, the park has its own car park off Abergele Road and Princes Drive. The park is freely open to the public at all times. Parking charges may apply during major stadium events — check ahead for event days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Eirias Park?
Around 50 acres. The council bought the first 27 acres in April 1921 and the remainder in 1929, with the playing fields formally opened on 27 September 1923.
What can you do at Eirias Park?
The park combines a boating lake, gardens, children's play areas, sports pitches, an athletics arena, Colwyn Leisure Centre (with a 25m swimming pool) and Stadiwm Eirias, which hosts major outdoor concerts, rugby and athletics.
Has Eirias Park hosted big concerts?
Yes. Acts to have played here include Elton John, Tom Jones, Jessie J, Lionel Richie, Bryan Adams, Little Mix, Olly Murs and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, alongside the annual Access All Eirias festival.
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