Llanrwst is an ancient market town of 3,300 people (2011) in the county borough of Conwy in North Wales.

It is less than a mile from the edge of Snowdonia Park. its main industry is tourism. Notable buildings include almshouses, two 17th-century chapels, and the Parish Church of St Grwst, which holds a stone coffin of Llywelyn the Great.

Understand

Llanrwst centre

In 1276, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Wales, seized the town, declaring the Free Borough of Llanrwst independent from the diocese of Llanelwy. Although this was contested by the bishop, the borough retained its status through the lifetime of Llywelyn. On and off since the 13th century the town has claimed independence. Some claim that in 1947, Llanrwst town council made an unsuccessful submission to the United Nations for a seat on the security council, stating that Llanrwst was an independent state within Wales. This story is likely to be apocryphal.

Get in

By car

Llanrwst is on the A470 road north of Betws y Coed.

By train

It is served by two station on the Conwy Valley Line from Llandudno via Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog.

See

Gwydir Castle

• 1 Gwydir Castle. A 15th-century fortified manor house.  
• 2 St Grwsts Church, Church Street (Tan yr Eglwys) (head to the town square and look for the road behind the Eagles Hotel). The church was built in the late 15th century, possibly in the 1470s replacing the first church on this site which was erected about 1170 and partly destroyed by fire when Llanrwst was sacked by Owain Glyndwyr. The Gwydir Chapel was added in 1633–34 by Richard Wynn of Gwydir. The west tower was added in the early 19th century, replacing a bellcote. (updated Aug 2016)

Buy

Pont Fawr

There is a wide range of small independent shops in the town.

• 1 Bys a Bawd, Stryd Dinbych, Llanrwst (about 200 m on A548 (road to Denbigh and Abergele) from Llanrwst town square, on left hand side), ☏ +44 1492 641329. M-Sa 9AM-5PM. Siop Lyfrau Cymreg. Llyfrau Cymraeg a Saesneg am Gymru. Cardiau ac anrhegion. Welsh Book Shop. Welsh language and Welsh interest books. Greeting Cards and gifts. 
• 2 The Crafty Kitten, 15 Gate Mews, Ancaster Square, ☏ +44 1492 643454, nikki@the-crafty-kitten.co.uk. M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-4PM. Craft and gift shop selling a wide range of craft materials and hand made gifts. (updated Aug 2016)
• 3 Snowdonia Antiques, Station Road (on the bend in the road - short term parking in the town square or the public car parks), ☏ +44 1492 640789. North Wales fine antique furniture and clock specialists, specialising in locally made antiques. (updated Aug 2016)
• 4 Siop Sioned, Mervinian House, Ancaster Sq (main square), ☏ +44 7761330206, Siopsioned@gmail.com. M-Sa 10:30AM-5PM. Homewares and gift shop. (updated Aug 2022)

Eat

• 1 Ty Asha Balti House, Regent House, Denbigh Street (corner of Denbigh St and the town square), ☏ +44 1492 641910. M-Th 5-10:30PM, F-Su Bank Holiday 5-11PM. Bangladeshi restaurant and take-away. (updated Aug 2016)

Sleep

• 1 Meadowsweet Hotel, Heol Yr Orsaf Station Rd., ☏ +44 1492 642111, meadowsweethotel@gmail.com. (updated Jun 2016)
• 2 Firs Cottage B&B, A470, Maenan (head north out of Llanrwst on the A470; approx 4 mi (6.4 km) from the town square on a double bend), ☏ +44 1492 660244. In a comfortable and historic family home nestling on the edge of the Conwy Valley and The Snowdonia National Park in North Wales. (updated Aug 2016)
• The Eagles Hotel, Ancaster Square, LL26 0LG, ☏ +44 1492 640454. Great veggie breakfast, cosy warm rooms. From £65. (updated Nov 2022)

Go next

• Betws y Coed
• Conwy