Deganwy (Wales)

jenwhelan234
Aug 5
3 min read

Updated: Aug 8

Following a 14-hour sail from Peel, we reached Deganwy anticipating a two-night stay. Due to Storm Floris, we ended up staying for six nights. This break meant that we had the chance to visit Jen's parents, who were vacationing in West Kirby. A visit to Liverpool was therefore a must. Jen reconnected with an old sailing friend in Llandudno and Pete visited a former work colleague who, at over 80 years old, was still moving pianos from his van and managing his business (Dean's Removals) from a pristine premises in Deganwy.

This unexpected pause also turned into a welcome chance to rest, explore, and enjoy one of North Wales’ most beautiful coastlines.

🌊 The Approach

Deganwy Marina sits just inside the mouth of the River Conwy, on the western shore opposite the town of Conwy. The approach is straightforward, but if the wind’s up (as it was for us!), be mindful of:

The Conwy Bar – check the tides and charts before approaching.
Crosswinds – they funnel down from the hills and can make berthing tricky.
Narrow pontoons – with a strong cross breeze, docking can be tight.

That said, the marina staff were excellent, and we were soon moored up and plugged in, with Svea stretching her legs along the quay.

⚓ Marina Notes

The marina is modern and secure, and the facilities are excellent, with showers, laundry, and power. Jen felt extremely lucky having the choice of three showers and two baths in the ladies powder room. The views across the estuary to Conwy Castle are stunning, especially at dusk.
Trains run from Deganwy Station (just behind the marina) to Conwy, Llandudno, or Chester.
There's a small Co-op in Llandudno Junction, about 10 minutes’ walk and a huge Lidl's about 15 min away for restocking.

🐾 Dog-Friendly Walks

Deganwy turned out to be an unexpected gem for dog walks — whether you want a quick loop or a full-day hike.

Deganwy Promenade – Just steps from the marina, this paved seafront path runs all the way to Llandudno. We walked it daily, with Svea off-lead in quiet sections and plenty of space to swim, sniff and stroll.
Conwy Castle & Walls – Turn the other way out of the marina and there is a track along the coast that takes you across the River Conwy, straight to the medieval castle. This is a tourist hot spot where we could walk the medieval town walls (dogs allowed!) and explore the riverbanks beneath the castle. We popped into the Liverpool pub and the Blue Bell, which both had plenty of outside seating and were dog-friendly. Local fishermen were repairing nets on the harbour quay, and gave us advice for sailing down the Menai Straight tomorrow.

The Vardre / Deganwy Castle Ruins – Above the town are the ruins of Deganwy Castle, with winding paths and panoramic views across the estuary to Snowdonia. A steep climb, but well worth it, and great for dogs with energy to burn.
West Shore Beach, Llandudno is a 30-minute walk and brings you to this dog-friendly beach, wide and sandy with no restrictions out of peak season.

🍰 Pubs and Cafés

Being landbound for a few days gave us a good excuse to explore Deganwy’s handful of cosy cafés and welcoming pubs.

Paysanne Restaurant – Lovely little French bistro. Dogs not allowed inside, but worth a takeaway treat or a fancy meal if you have a dog-sitter.
The Quay Hotel – Adjacent to the marina. Dogs allowed outside on the terrace, which overlooks the river and Conwy Castle. Perfect for a sunset drink in a nautically decorated bar. Additional bonus - the hotel spa is excellent boasting three saunas, a hydropool and swimming pool. Jen paid £25 for a relaxing couple of hours, thus avoiding the worst of the storm.
Môr a Mynydd – A charming local café just a few minutes from the marina with outdoor seating. Excellent coffee and cakes.
The Castle View (a short walk toward Llandudno Junction) A dog-friendly pub with food and big tables. Staff welcomed Svea with fuss and water. Excellent views of the castle, as the name states. (The co-op is right next door for provisioning).

🐶 Final Thoughts

Six days well spent — even if the wind wasn’t planned. We didn’t choose to stay in Deganwy for long, the weather made the decision for us, but in the end, we were glad of the pause. With easy walks, historic charm, and a peaceful marina to ride out the storm, it turned into an ideal place us to relax and catch up with friends and family. Svea enjoyed the break as she had castle walks, beach runs, and new smells every day. Sometimes, sailing teaches you that the best stops are the ones you never planned 🐾.