Old Colwyn: Fairy Glen, Promenade and St Catherine

Old Colwyn brings together several distinct travel interests: Fairy Glen, with its ancient woodland and paths along the River Colwyn; an easy inland walk; the promenade to Penrhyn Bay; and the history of St Catherine's Church. Nature trails, a footpath and cycle path, and a dated reference to church history offer different focuses for planning. If you are looking for a hotel in Old Colwyn, you can consider which of these aspects of the area best suits your stay.

Walking in Fairy Glen

Fairy Glen is a designated local nature reserve and ancient woodland. The wooded paths follow the River Colwyn to the heart of Old Colwyn. This gives the natural area a clear connection to the place: the woodland character and the course of the river together shape the route description. The Old Colwyn and Llanddulas walking route is an easy inland walk through Fairy Glen Local Nature Reserve. This links a specific type of route with a named landscape. If you are planning an inland walk, this route offers a clear point of reference; Fairy Glen is explicitly part of its course.

Promenade for walking and cycling

The promenade associated with Colwyn Bay/Rhos on Sea Beach extends from Old Colwyn to Penrhyn Bay. It is a footpath and cycle path and forms part of National Cycle Route 5. The stated endpoints make the route easy to identify; its inclusion in National Cycle Route 5 is a specific point of reference for cyclists. Unlike the route through Fairy Glen, which is described as an easy inland walk, the promenade is explicitly suitable for cycling too. This means you can take both the landscape and the intended mode of travel into account when planning.

The history of St Catherine's

St Catherine's is a Grade II listed church. Richard Butler Clough laid the foundation stone on 14 July 1837; the church was consecrated on 7 August 1838. These dates mark two distinct stages: the consecration followed the laying of the foundation stone just over a year later. Together with its Grade II status, they provide a specific historical reference that complements the area's nature and walking routes with a theme from local history. For those interested in cultural history, this sequence precisely identifies the period of the church's history.

Getting there and planning your day

Daily bus services to Old Colwyn and Llanddulas run from Colwyn Bay, Llandudno and Rhyl. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current timetable before setting off, as schedules may change. These three departure points offer specific starting points for planning your journey. When comparing them with your day's itinerary, consider which of the two destinations you want to reach.

For planning your day, the key distinction is between the inland walk and the promenade: Fairy Glen offers an easy walk through a nature reserve, while the promenade is also designated for cycling. St Catherine's offers a different focus, with dated historical significance. This distinction can help you tailor your plans to the activity you want before looking for a hotel for your stay in Old Colwyn.

Discover more destinations:

Llandudno Junction, Penmaenmawr, Llanrwst, Llandudno, Capel Garmon, Pentrefoelas, Llansannan, Llanbedr-Y-Cennin

For the main travel overview: Conwy.