We visited Conwy Castle during our tour of North Wales and would say it’s definitely worth a visit. As English Heritage members, entry was free, which was a nice bonus. We spent about an hour exploring the site, and it was definitely worth making a stop for it.
Skip to…
Wall Walk
The wall walk was definitely the standout feature – you get stunning views of the town, the surrounding countryside, and the castle itself. What’s particularly cool is that the wall walk actually continues around the town of Conwy, so you can really get a sense of the place. The castle is incredibly well-preserved, and walking around the ramparts and towers gives you a real feel for the history and scale of the site.
History
The history of Conwy Castle is fascinating. It was built by Edward I between 1283 and 1289 as part of his campaign to conquer Wales. The castle is one of the key strongholds in his “Iron Ring” of fortresses, which also includes Harlech Castle and the unfinished Beaumaris Castle among others. These castles were designed to control the north of Wales and secure English power over the region. While each castle has its own unique features, they all share a common purpose – to intimidate the Welsh and establish English dominance.
Conwy Castle, with its high walls and eight massive towers, was a key part of this strategy. Unlike Harlech, which is set on a more isolated cliff top, Conwy’s location was chosen to give the English military a strategic advantage, overlooking the town and the nearby estuary. The castle was actually moved across the river when Edward (re) built it and there is a great bit of interpretation where you can look through a window and see the old site. The views from the castle’s walls generally are spectacular, and you can easily see how important it was as a defensive position.
Information and Interpretation
As for interpretation, there isn’t a huge amount of information on-site, but what’s available helps you get a good grasp of the castle’s history and its role in Edward I’s conquests – as well as some interesting tidbits such as the fact the castle was actually “taken over” through trickery by some Welsh loyalists in around 1401. The lack of heavy interpretation didn’t detract from our experience too much, as the castle’s design and views really speak for themselves, but if you’re going to spend some serious time it may be worth paying for the guidebook.
Worth a Visit
Overall, Conwy Castle is definitely worth visiting. If you’re exploring other castles in the area, like Harlech and Beaumaris, it’s fascinating to compare them – each one offers a different perspective on Edward I’s plans, but all are magnificent in their own right. Conwy feels like the heart of the trio, sitting at a key point in the Welsh coastline, and it’s a great place to experience the medieval history of the area. It’s also the best preserved.
Pictures
