Location
Plas Maenan overlooks the Snowdonia National Park and the river Conwy which winds its way through the Conwy Valley. Directly behind and above is Cadair Ifan Goch, a National Trust vantage point with fantastic views. Trail maps are provided for guests and the walk is a good hour and a half.
Nature, Woodlands & Bats
Plas Maenan is host to a large colony of Lesser Horseshoe bats, roosting in a network of passages in the rock beneath the hotel and emerging at dusk from a ruined folly on the lower terrace. The grounds, which include woodland walks, are designated as a site of special scientific interest.
Read more about our bat colonies.
Places to See
A few miles down the road are the world-famous 80 acre gardens of Bodnant, famed for azaleas, rhododendrons and the magnificent laburnum arch. Further on is the wonderfully preserved walled town and castle of Conwy with its harbour and interesting shops.
Many romantic castles are nearby, including majestic Caernarfon, and the area is a mecca for the mountain railway enthusiast with the Snowdonia railway and the Ffestiniog line within easy reach. You can hop onto the Conwy Valley train at the end of the drive and take the Orient Express route (at a fraction of the price) to the climbing centre of Betws-y-Coed, over Gethin's Bridge to Ffestiniog and through the Snowdonia National Park to the busy harbour town of Porthmadog a good way to spend a car-free day.
Nearby, the popular resort of Llandudno has fine beaches, excellent shopping, a museum and the Great Orme Tramway. The amazing fantasy village of Portmeirion is within easy reach and the Llechwedd Slate Caverns and the Isle of Anglesey should not be missed.
Things to Do
Local activities include golf, sailing, fishing, riding, climbing, walking and white water rafting. There are mountain zoos, marine parks, butterfly farms, tweed mills, water mills, copper and slate mines and many sites of historic interest in the area.
Or perhaps you could just enjoy the wonderful Welsh mountain scenery...