Conwy Castle Castle

Address: Castle St, Conwy LL32 8AL, Wales, United Kingdom

Website: https://www.historicengland.org.uk/visit/places/conwy-castle/

Hours: Daily Apr-Oct 9:30am-5pm, Nov-Mar 9:30am-4pm (check local seasonal variations)

Admission: £9.20 (adult, Historic England) - concessions and combined tickets available

Conwy Castle is a late 13th-century royal fortress on the north coast of Wales, constructed under the orders of King Edward I during his campaign to conquer Gwynedd. Building began in 1283 and the castle is noted for its well-preserved curtain walls and multiple defensive towers.

Key features include high curtain walls with integrated towers and an inner ward; the castle layout was designed for strong defence and to dominate the town and estuary. Many visitors walk the battlements and explore the towers and gatehouses to see period defensive architecture and views across the estuary and town.

Edward I commissioned the castle as part of a strategic ring of fortifications in North Wales in the late 13th century; it has since seen military use, sieges and later preservation. The site has been conserved and is managed for public access.

Conwy Castle stands on the tidal estuary of the River Conwy within the walled medieval town of Conwy in North Wales, overlooking water that connects to the Irish Sea and positioned near other North Wales seaside towns.

• UNESCO listing: Part of the UNESCO World Heritage site ‘Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd’ and typically visited together with the town walls and quay.
• Visitor tip: The castle’s battlements and towers offer extensive views across the Conwy estuary and the 19th-century Conwy Suspension Bridge; bring sturdy footwear for steep steps.

Conwy town is a 30-40 minute drive from Bangor and about 1.5 hours from Liverpool by car. Conwy railway station (on the Llandudno branch) is a 10-15 minute walk from the castle. From the M56/A55 follow signs to Conwy; the castle sits opposite the quay and near the town centre.

• Arrive before 10am to climb the Castle walls with minimal crowds and better photos of the Conwy estuary.
• Walk the castle curtain walls clockwise to see the best preserved towers first; the north tower has the most dramatic views.
• Buy a combined ticket with Plas Mawr if planning more historic house visits in Conwy.