The Groes Country Inn

A Historic Country Inn in the Conwy Valley

The Groes Inn is one of the most famous old inns in Wales, reputedly the first licensed house in the country, set in the beautiful Conwy Valley a short way from the walled town of Conwy. Dating back to the 16th century and brimming with character, it combines a renowned bar and restaurant with comfortable rooms — a wonderful base from which to explore the coast, the valley and the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia). With crackling fires, good food and a warm welcome that extends to dogs, it is the very picture of a traditional Welsh country inn.

The rooms

The Groes offers comfortable en-suite bedrooms, thoughtfully designed with home comforts and the character you would hope for in a historic inn. The signature terrace rooms are especially lovely, opening onto views over the surrounding countryside. After a day out walking or sightseeing, there is real pleasure in returning to a characterful room above one of Wales’s most storied pubs, with the bar and restaurant waiting downstairs.

Food, drink and the welcome

Food is central to the Groes experience. The kitchen serves traditional pub dishes using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, from a three-cheese and onion pie to battered cod and generous Sunday roasts with bottomless gravy and unlimited Yorkshire puddings. There is a good-value set menu on weekdays, and the bar pours JW Lees bitter alongside locally brewed cask ales. Crackling fireplaces, snug corners and a dog-friendly welcome complete the picture, and there is ample parking on site.

At a glance

• Historic country inn, reputedly the first licensed house in Wales
• Comfortable en-suite rooms, including terrace rooms with countryside views
• Renowned bar and restaurant; JW Lees and local cask ales
• Crackling fires, snug corners and ample parking
• Dog-friendly, in the beautiful Conwy Valley

The Conwy Valley

The inn sits in the green and peaceful Conwy Valley, close to the medieval walled town of Conwy with its mighty UNESCO World Heritage castle, the quay and the smallest house in Britain. The world-famous Bodnant Garden lies a short drive up the valley, and the foothills of Snowdonia rise temptingly to the south. For more on the area and other places to stay, see our guide to Conwy accommodation.

Exploring the area

From the Groes Inn the best of North Wales is within easy reach. The grand Victorian resort of Llandudno, with its promenade and the Great Orme, is a short drive along the coast, while inland the mountains, lakes and waterfalls of Eryri begin only a few miles away — Betws-y-Coed, Swallow Falls and the high passes all make for memorable days out. Whether you want a beach, a garden, a castle or a mountain walk, the inn is perfectly placed.

Good to know

There is something special about staying at an inn with this much history — the sense that travellers have been welcomed here for centuries adds a real flavour to a stay, and the combination of a renowned kitchen, well-kept ales and characterful rooms makes for a properly indulgent country break. The dog-friendly welcome and ample parking make it an easy choice for those touring with a four-legged friend, and the Conwy Valley setting means you can pair quiet rural days with the coast, the gardens and the mountains all close at hand. It works equally well as a romantic bolthole, a walkers’ base or a comfortable stop on a wider tour of North Wales — and the food alone is reason enough to linger.

Frequently Asked Questions

How historic is it? It is reputedly the first licensed house in Wales, dating back to the 16th century.

Are dogs welcome? Yes, the inn is dog-friendly.

Is there food? Yes — a renowned bar and restaurant serving traditional pub food and Sunday roasts.

What’s nearby? Conwy, Bodnant Garden, Llandudno and Snowdonia.

Plan your North Wales stay

For a characterful, dog-friendly country inn full of history and good food in the lovely Conwy Valley, The Groes Inn is a wonderful choice. To check dates and availability, use the booking options on this page.