Conwy Castle

Conwy Castle and its associated town walls represent the most complete example of Edwardian military planning in Wales. Built between 1283 and 1289 on a rocky promontory above the Conwy estuary, the castle and its circuit of walls — still almost entirely intact after 700 years — enclosed a new English borough designed to keep Welsh residents out and English settlers in. The town walls, stretching for 1.3 kilometres with 21 towers and three gatehouses, remain one of the finest medieval fortifications in Europe.

Key Facts

The Castle

Conwy Castle is divided into two wards — the outer ward, which contained service buildings, and the inner ward, which housed the royal apartments and great hall. Eight massive round towers anchor the walls. The castle was built in just four years, an extraordinary feat that required over 1,500 workers at peak construction. It was designed to be supplied by sea, with a water gate giving direct access to the estuary.

Walking the Walls

Walking Conwy's town walls is one of the finest urban walks in Wales. The circuit rises and falls with the rock beneath, passing over arched gateways and along battlemented walks with views over the estuary, the castle and the surrounding mountains. The walls are largely accessible to visitors and can be walked in either direction — allow at least an hour for a leisurely circuit.

The Town

Within the walls, Conwy preserves much of its medieval street plan. Plas Mawr, one of the finest surviving Elizabethan town houses in Britain, dates from 1576. Aberconwy House is a medieval merchant's house open to visitors. The quay on the estuary offers excellent views of the castle from the water and has a good selection of cafes and restaurants. The smallest house in Britain — officially 3.05m wide — is on the quay.