Conwy Falls

Conwy Falls after heavy rain

Conwy Falls (Welsh: Rhaeadr y Graig Lwyd) is a waterfall on the River Conwy at Bro Garmon in Conwy County Borough in Wales. The falls and surrounding area are a Site of Special Scientific Interest.^[1] The nearby cafe, adjacent to the A5, is an interesting example of the work of the Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis, of Portmeirion fame.

The falls, woodland and wildlife

The falls are accessible via natural paths through the preserved woodland of the SSSI. There are 32 species of birds, polecats and other wild animals in the woodlands, which extend to approximately 9.5 acres (38,000 m²). The River Conwy is a salmon river, and there are two salmon ladders at the falls. One is a disused Victorian ladder which was destroyed by a storm soon after being built. The second is a modern ladder built in 1993.

The cafe

Clough Williams-Ellis had been involved in proposed designs for a building at the cafe site as early as 1938. The original design was for a building perched on the rocks above the falls, but this was never built. The existing building dates from the 1950s and is an excellent example of the architect's style. The architect's drawings can be seen on display in the cafe's main room.

References

1. ^ Sayer, Zoe; Rebecca Terry (2006). All Terrain Pushchair Walks in Snowdonia. Sigma Press, p. 59.

External links

• Conwy Falls Cafe

Coordinates: 53°03′55″N 3°46′45″W / 53.0652°N 3.7791°W / 53.0652; -3.7791