St. Mary's Church

The grey stone walls of St. Mary's Church rise up from Conwy's high street like they've been there since time forgot - and they pretty much have. This is a proper medieval church, the sort that rewards a slow wander around because the details matter: carved roof beams, odd bits of stained glass, monuments to long-dead local worthies. The church sits right in the middle of town, which means you can duck in between browsing the antique shops or grabbing a coffee.

History types will spend a decent hour here poking about, reading plaques, admiring the woodwork. Families won't get much from lingering, though kids might be momentarily interested in the tombs. It's free to visit, and the kind of place you appreciate more if you've got even a passing interest in medieval Wales.

The real appeal is how it anchors Conwy as a proper market town rather than just another tourist trap. If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Maenan Abbey is barely a mile away, Erw Glas glamping just beyond that - it's worth an hour's exploration on a wet afternoon. The surrounding Conwy Valley is worth proper time though: rolling hills, decent walks, the river itself. St. Mary's is the kind of stop that makes sense when you're already here, not the reason to come.

Go on a quiet morning if you can. Midday gets a bit chaotic with tour groups.