Conwy CBC maintain three wonderful nature reserves in Llanfairfechan, showcasing the best the village has to offer in terms of landscape and wildlife.
Nant y Coed is a beautiful woodland at the back of Llanfairfechan. An attractive short walk follows the tumbling river. Birds such as the dipper, redstart and pied flycatcher can be seen here. Nant y Coed lies on the North Wales Path and on the Llanfairfechan Upland Walk. More information here and here.
Tyddyn Drycin is a small site at the bottom of the old quarry in Llanfairfechan and is a good example of nature restoring man's works. The old quarry spoil tips are now clothed in trees and the old buildings have been made safe. There is a network of waymarked paths around the site. More information here and here.
Morfa Madryn reserve is reached from Glan y Môr Elias and has been created as a disturbance-free area for birds to feed, rest and breed. The reserve is an important nesting site for lapwing and attracts a good variety of birds all year round, particularly wildfowl and waders, as does the adjoining Traeth Lafan mudflats, which is an area of European importance. In addition,Traeth Lafan, Glan y Môr Elias and Morfa Madryn, together, form a Local Nature Reserve. Near the entrance is a small picnic area and recently planted woodland. There are three bird hides on the reserve, one with excellent views of the high tide oystercatcher roost on the shingle spit at Glan y Môr Elias and the other two with close-up views of the birds on the reserve's pools.
Reserves warden: lesley.lawson@conwy.gov.uk
Llanfairfechan is host to 4 major walking routes:
Conwy CBC also suggests a few local walks, available here.
If you’re planning on getting out and about in Llanfairfechan, make sure you bring plenty of water. A number of businesses in the village are now offering free tap water to all who need it – look for a blue sticker in the window. Alternately, get the free Refill app to show these businesses on a map. The app also lets you log your water refills to show your positive environmental impact due to buying less plastic bottled water.
Anybody interested in doing their bit to keep the village looking stunning can find like-minded people at Keep Llan Tidy. To share or see great photographs of Llanfairfechan head to the photography challenge page.
