Castell Conwy
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Castell Conwy is a medieval fortress on Conwy’s coastal ridge and part of the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd World Heritage Site.
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Why go
- The best-preserved suite of medieval royal chambers in England and Wales.
- Views over Conwy’s harbour, narrow streets and town walls, with Eryri’s mountains beyond.
Opening hours
Today09:30 – 17:00Show all
Monday09:30 – 17:00
Tuesday09:30 – 17:00
Wednesday09:30 – 17:00
Thursday09:30 – 17:00
Friday09:30 – 17:00
Saturday09:30 – 17:00
Sunday09:30 – 17:00
Don't miss
- Western barbicanThe main entrance passes through this defensive structure before reaching the main gate.Western barbican
- Royal palaceThe inner ward housed the royal household, staff and service workers; its royal rooms formed a small palace that could be sealed off.Inner ward
- Spring-fed wellThis surviving well beside the inner ward gate reaches about 28 metres deep.Beside the inner ward gate
Know before you go
- Open daily from 09:30 to 17:00; closed on 26 December and 1 January.
- Dogs on short leads may visit ground level from November through February. Assistance dogs are permitted from March through October.
What's inside
- An exhibition is inside the monument.
- The outer ward held administrative and service buildings; stone arches and remains from the 1340s survive there.
- On the south side, the great hall and chapel stood above cellars that are now exposed.
- A tower behind the great hall contained a prison room known in the 16th century as the “dettors chambre”.
Tips for your visit
- Bring a bottle to use the site’s water refill station.
- Visitor toilets are on the lower level of the visitor centre.
With kids
- Visitor-centre toilets have baby-changing facilities.
Interesting facts5
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The towers were originally whitewashed with lime render.
Conwy Castle - Wikipedia -
Much of the building stone came from the ridge beneath the castle.
Conwy Castle - Wikipedia -
The inner ward’s rock-cut ditch was filled in and its drawbridge removed during the 16th century.
Conwy Castle - Wikipedia -
The castle garden changed over time from lawn to vines, crab-apple trees and ornamental flowers.
Conwy Castle - Wikipedia -
1284
Under a royal charter of 1284, the castle’s constable was also the mayor of Conwy.
Conwy Castle - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
Building the castle and town walls together cost about £15,000. During the Romantic period, the ruined castle became a popular subject for painters.
- Before 1283Aberconwy Abbey occupied the site before the English town was founded.
- 1263Llywelyn ap Gruffydd destroyed Deganwy Castle, which Conwy Castle later replaced.
- 1283–1287Edward I built the castle during his conquest of Wales, alongside Conwy’s town walls. James of St George oversaw the work under Sir John Bonvillars.
- 1294–1295The castle withstood a Welsh siege and received supplies by sea.
- 1399Richard II took refuge at the castle while fleeing Henry Bolingbroke.
Show all
- 1401Rhys ap Tudur and Gwilym entered disguised as repair carpenters and seized the castle.
- 1520s–1530sHenry VIII ordered restoration work. The castle served as a prison and depot.
- 1646The castle surrendered to Parliamentary forces in November, after a siege.
- 1655Parliament ordered the castle partly demolished to prevent military use.
- 1665The remaining iron and lead were removed and sold, leaving the castle a ruin.
- 19th centuryRestoration began in the second half of the century, including rebuilding the damaged Bakehouse tower.
- 1953Arnold Taylor led repairs and historical research at the castle.
How to get there
- ParkingA short-stay pay-and-display car park is outside the visitor centre; a long-stay car and coach park is outside the town walls.
- BikeBike storage is available in the car park or near the site.
- On footThe castle is on Rose Hill St, Conwy LL32 8AY.
Accessibility
- Step-free approach The visitor centre is at the castle’s foot, reached by a steep path about 50 metres long with several steps. Grounds have uneven cobbles and gravel. Towers and higher viewpoints require steep historic or spiral stairs, with naturally low lighting.
- Toilet An accessible toilet is at ground level by the visitor-centre entrance.
Sources: Conwy Castle - Wikipedia · Castell Conwy | Cadw · Conwy Castle - Wikipedia · Château de Conwy - Wikipedia · Castell Conwy: tickets (its own site) · checked 6 Oct 2026
Where
Coast Rd - A55, Conwy
- Phone
- 03000252239
Questions and answers
Where can I buy tickets for Castell Conwy?
Tickets are sold online through the castle’s own website.
Who manages Castell Conwy?
Cadw manages the castle as a visitor attraction.
What occupied the site before the English town was founded?
Aberconwy Abbey occupied the site.
Which castle did Castell Conwy replace?
Deganwy Castle, destroyed by Llywelyn ap Gruffydd in 1263.
Which castle is Castell Conwy twinned with?
Himeji Castle in Japan, since 2019.
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