St Michael's Old Church

A pity the church was closed when we tried to visit but the graveyard was so interesting it was still worth the time to look around. Some disruptive construction right next to church where a pedestrian bridge across the river is being replaced.

Want a gate to Otherworld? Want to commune with the Fae? Long to be shrouded in peace and the contemplative? St. Michael's Old Church is all the above and more. There's a reason I've posted only photos of the ancient cemetery—THIS is the real sacred space that you'll want to stroll and rest in for the whole day.

Picturesque & ancient old church, beautiful surroundings and key is available over the road at the Railway Museum.

Lovely little church. Worth a visit when in betsy. Open during the day with quite a large church yard.

Beautiful! Very historic & simply stunning.

St Michael's Old Church is the oldest building in Betws y Coed. The church was built in the 14th century on the banks of the River Conwy. It is thought to have replaced an older medieval prayer house, betws in Welsh. The church contains a collection of fine medieval features. A life-size stone effigy of Gruffydd ap Dafydd Goch lies near the chancel. A relative of Prince of Wales Llewelyn ap Gruffydd, Gruffydd ap Dafydd Goch died in battle between 1370 and 1380. Fragments of medieval stained glass can be found at the top of the east and west windows. The medieval font is small and square, featuring a simple carving of leaves and an arch of chevrons. A restoration took place in 1843 when the north aisle was added but Betws y Coed soon outgrew St Michael's with the arrival of the London-Holyhead road and the railway. In 1873, St Mary's Church opened and St Michael's was left to decay. A significant restoration took place in 1994 to save the building. It was declared redundant in the year 2000.

Lovely old church full with green view.

Beautiful and peaceful. If it's locked, you can get the key from the Railway Museum close by.