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Why Sappers’ Bridge?

Until 1917, stepping stones were the only way to cross the Afon Conwy at this point. That year, a wooden footbridge was built on the site by the Royal Engineers to link the village with an army camp on the opposite (east) side of the river.
It was washed it away in a storm in 1930, but was subsequently rebuilt that year by Westminster-based engineers David Rowell & Co. who, some years earlier, had constructed Queen’s Park Suspension Bridge, a similar but rather grander version in Chester.
The original name of Sappers’ Bridge was retained as a mark of respect to the Royal Engineers’ war-time efforts.
For safety reasons the bridge was closed to the public at Christmas 2021.
The suspension bridge, renowned for its wobbly midpoint ,was a key shortcut across the Afon Conwy for locals and tourists. However, detailed structural reviews conducted in 2022 by specialists found that virtually the entire bridge would need to be refurbished, with the entire timber deck as well as other parts including the towers, which have rotated, replaced completely. The metalwork of this 93-year-old bridge has also reached the end of its life. It was anticipated the work could well take 12 months to complete. The costs are prohibitive. However, Conwy County Borough Council are, as at July 2023, currently exploring funding sources available from Welsh and UK Governments and plan possibly to replace this iconic bridge. Meanwhile the bridge remains closed.

Built in the 14th century, The Grade II* listed Link St Michael's Old Church is the oldest building in Betws-y-Coed, and is located on the banks of the River Conwy. Replaced by the parish church of St Mary's in 1873, St Michael's lay slumbering peacefully throughout the twentieth century. In 1994, the Friends of St Michael's Link was formed, to raise both awareness of the building, and money to preserve it. Declared redundant in 2000, the building is now leased from the Church in Wales by the St Michael's Betws-y-Coed Trust, a registered charity run by the Friends.