Skip to content Skip to main navigation Skip to footer
Conwy Castle View Magic Lantern Slide 1 c.1890
Conwy Castle Round Magic Lantern Slide c.1890
Conwy Castle Magic Lantern Slide c.1890
Conwy Castle Hall Magic Lantern Slide c.1890
Conwy Castle Colour Magic Lantern Slide c.1890
Conwy Castle and Town Magic Lantern Slide c.1890
Conwy Castle and Boat Magic Lantern Slide c.1890
A Magic Lantern Slide of Conwy Castle Suspension Bridge c.1890
Conwy Castle in the 1960s
Conwy Castle in the 1960s
Conwy Castle in the 1960s
Conwy Castle in the 1960s
Conwy Castle in the 1960s
Conwy Castle in the 1960s
Conwy Castle in the 1960s
Conwy Castle
Plas Mawr, Conwy (Inner Courtyard) in 1935
Plas Mawr, Conwy in 1935
Plas Mawr, Conwy in 1935
A Victorian Photochrom of Conwy Castle
A Victorian Photochrom of Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle at Dusk
The Three Bridges at Conwy
Conwy Parish Church in 1935
Conwy in 1935
Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle At Sunset
Conwy Castle from The Battlements in 1935
Conwy Castle at Night
Conwy Castle and Bridge in 1935
Conwy Castle in 1935
Conwy Castle in 1935
Along the Battlements of Conwy Castle in 1935
Central Tower, Plas Mawr, Conwy in 1935
Aberconwy House, Conwy in 1935

Conwy Castle

Conwy’s massive military strength springs from the rock on which it stands.

Built for Edward I, by Master James of St George, the castle is amongst the finest surviving medieval fortifications in Britain. In a word, exceptional. You can’t fault it, from the grandeur of its high towers and curtain walls to its excellent state of preservation. An estimated £15,000 was spent building the castle, the largest sum Edward spent in such a short time on any of his Welsh castles between 1277 and 1307. Money well spent.

Two barbicans (fortified gateways), eight massive towers and a great bow-shaped hall all sit within its distinctive elongated shape, due in part to the narrow rocky outcrop on which the castle stands. You won’t find Edward’s concentric ‘walls within walls’ here. They weren’t needed. The rock base was enough security in itself.

Some say it is the most magnificent of Edward I’s Welsh fortresses. To get the full picture, head for the battlements. Breathtaking views across mountains and sea.

If the outside impresses (and it will), wait until you go in. With an outer ward containing a great hall, chambers and kitchen, and a more secluded inner ward with private chambers and a royal chapel, it is very easy to imagine how Conwy functioned when the royal entourage were in town.

Along with Harlech Castle, Caernarfon Castle and Beaumaris Castle, this monument has been part of the Castles and Town Walls of Edward 1 World Heritage Site since 1986.

Address

Conwy Castle, Conwy. LL32 8AY

Open in Google Maps

Opening hours

  • Monday
    9:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday
    9:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday
    9:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday
    9:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday
    9:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday
    9:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Sunday
    9:30 am - 6:00 pm

These are the peak summer opening times.
Winter times may vary. For full details please visit the CADW website.
Last admission 30 minutes before closing.

Back to top