Things to Do in Colwyn Bay
© Geograph contributors / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Colwyn Bay offers a well-rounded range of activities for visitors — from one of the finest zoos in Wales to a Blue Flag beach, a Michelin-recognised restaurant, coastal walks, a Victorian pier and easy access to some of the great day-trip destinations of North Wales. The following covers the key options.
Top Attractions
Welsh Mountain Zoo — The headline attraction. Set in 37 acres of hillside gardens, it is home to snow leopards (including a recent cub), free-roaming chimpanzees, gorillas, a new Madagascar lemur zone, Margay twins and the Tropical Trail reptile house. Allow a full day; open from 09:30.
Beach & Promenade — A two-mile Blue Flag beach backed by a regenerated Victorian promenade. One million tonnes of sand imported, segregated cycle and pedestrian paths, kiosks and public facilities throughout. Fully flat and accessible.
Porth Eirias — The £6.5m seafront complex at the western end of the promenade, home to Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias — featured in the Michelin Guide and a Bib Gourmand holder in recent years — plus watersports, a children’s playground and events space.
Pier Bae Colwyn — The rebuilt Victoria Pier, reopened July 2021. The original 1900 pier was demolished after 2017 storm damage; the new 45m structure reuses 74 salvaged ironwork panels. Grade II listed and freely accessible from the promenade.
Eirias Park & Stadiwm Eirias — The main town park, with boating lake, gardens and Stadiwm Eirias (capacity 6,000) — home to RGC 1404 (Super Rygbi Cymru) and North Wales Crusaders (RFL Championship).
Walking & Nature
Bryn Euryn — 60-hectare Local Nature Reserve and SSSI above Rhos-on-Sea. Limestone grassland, ancient woodland, Iron Age hillfort, 15th-century Llys Euryn ruins and panoramic coastal views. Free, open year-round.
Little Orme & Angel Bay — The headland between Colwyn Bay and Llandudno, managed by the North Wales Wildlife Trust. Angel Bay is one of the most reliable Atlantic grey seal watching spots in North Wales (best September to April). A 4.3-mile circular walk, rated moderate.
Pwllycrochan Woods — Ancient deciduous woodland in the heart of town, with waymarked circular walks from ¾ to 1¼ miles. Good birdwatching (Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Tawny Owl). Free, open year-round.
Colwyn Bay to Llandudno Coastal Route — 6 miles (9km) along the Wales Coast Path / National Cycle Route 5 through Rhos-on-Sea, Penrhyn Bay and over the Little Orme to Llandudno. One of the finest coastal routes in North Wales.
Nearby
Rhos-on-Sea — St Trillo’s Chapel (the smallest church in Britain, seating 6, with a 1,500-year-old holy well), a quiet harbour, village cafes, and the start of the walk to the Little Orme. 25 min on foot along the promenade.
Old Colwyn and Llysfaen — the quieter original village at the eastern end of the bay, and the hilltop village above it with a medieval church and wide coastal views. Mochdre to the west has a curious pig-town name and a place in early railway history.
Day Trips — Conwy Castle (5 miles, 14 min by train — UNESCO World Heritage Site), Llandudno (7 miles), Snowdonia (30 miles, 38 min drive), Anglesey (45 min drive).
Explore Wales & the Borderlands