Fairy Glen Betws-y-Coed

Where Conwy dreams in secret nook.

Fairy Glen One of the principal natural attractions of the village, and where Wuhelmina Stitch, "waits and waits, to see the fairy men.
Located only a short distance from Beaver bridge, a combination of rapids and cascades on the Conwy river are chanelled into a narrow ravine presenting an impressive and dramatic scene. Wooded banks and rock walls clothed with vegetation add to the charm. Fairy Glen is reached by a path from Fairy Glen Hotel beside the A470.

Tripadvisor Review

Fairy Glen is a secluded gorge and beauty spot on the Conwy River.

It's just off the A470, near the intersection with the A5 - there is a small car park nearby - turn left just after the Fairy Glen Hotel (but not into the hotel car park!), and it's reached down a small track. You then have to walk for about 15 minutes to get to Fairy Glen itself.

There is a small admission fee of 50p per person to cover maintenance of the footpaths.

After around 10 minutes on the footpath, the glen is reached by descending some stairs. Be warned that they are steep in places (and slippy in the wet), and therefore not suitable for everyone - good hiking boots are recommended. We visited on New Years Eve and only saw 2 other people there, which added to the experience.

The view is amazing and you can get some great photos and videos here. It's well worth a visit.

On mossy mound where toadstools grow,
They dance in moonlight, row on row,
To music from the purling brook
Where Conwy dreams in secret nook.

Strange moonlight whisperings thru the wood
Where ancient golden beech have stood
And drowsed, thru drifting times of yore,
Steeped deep in mystic myth and lore.

Their bark with lichen garlands hung,
'Neath cobweb skiens with dew-pearls strung,
While knurled and knotted roots surround
To shield, from man, the hallowed ground.

That mist-clad land of whims and spells,
Floating music and tinkling bells;
A door lies hid beyond night's pale,
Wrapped in a glimm'ring, shifting veil.

But if that spell-bound caul you'll pierce,
Then drink the mead from faerie tierce;
The shade will fall away, and lo,
Into the elven realm you'll go!

Where pwca, sylph and woodland sprite
Trip light and skip in pure delight,
While imp and hob kick up their heels
And spin and whirl thru faerie reels.

A faerie woodwind's eerie lilt,
From fife that's hewn of wood and gilt,
With pulsing throb of faerie drums,
Through the glen at midnight comes.

Leila Sen (C)
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