Conwy castle is a gritty, dark stoned fortress which has the rare ability to evoke an authentic medieval atmosphere. The first time that visitors catch sight of the castle, commanding a rock above the Conwy Estuary and demanding as much attention as the dramatic Snowdonia skyline behind it, they know they are in the presence of a historic site which still casts a powerful spell.

Conwy, constructed by the English monarch Edward I between 1283 and 1289 as one of the key fortresses in his 'iron ring' of castles to contain the Welsh, was built to prompt such a humbling reaction.

A distinguished historian wrote of Conwy, 'Taken as a whole, Conwy's incomparably the most magnificent of Edward I's Welsh fortresses'. In comparison to other great Edwardian castles it is also relatively straightforward in design, a reflection of the inherent strength of its siting.

There are no concentric 'walls within walls' here, because they were not needed. Conwy's massive military strength springs from the rock on which it stands and seems to grow naturally. Soaring curtain walls and eight huge round towers give the castle (a World Heritage Inscribed site) an intimidating presence undimmed by the passage of time.

The views from the battlements are breathtaking looking out across mountains and sea and down to the roofless shell of the castles 125ft Great Hall. It is from these battlements that visitors can best appreciate Conwy's other great glory, its ring of town walls.

Conwy is the classic walled town. Its circuit of walls, over three quarters of a mile long and guarded by no less than 22 towers, is one of the finest in the World.

Access by road to Conwy on the A55 and B5106

Conwy railway station is next to the castle see Links page for train times.

Opening Hours 2008 - 2009

Last admission half an hour before closing.

1^st April to 31^st October - 09.00 - 17.00 daily

1^st November to 31^st March - 09.30 - 16.00  Monday to Saturday
11.00 - 16.00 Sunday

Closed:- 24^th, 25^th, 26^th December, 1^st January

Contact and Admission Information

Telephone:- +44 1492 592358

Admission Charge:- Adults £4.70, Reduced rate £4.20.

Family Ticket:- £14.00 - admits 2 adults and up to 3 children under 16 years.

Three or seven day explorer passes are available to give you free admission to the historic sites in the care of Cadw.

Cadw, Plas Carew, Unit 5/7 Cefn Coed, Park Nantgarw, Cardiff, CF15 7QQ, Wales, UK.

Telephone:- +44 1443 33 6000
Fax:- +44 1443 33 6001

7th & 8th June 11am - 4pm - Warriors, Weapons and Warfare - Knights of Longshanks. 

27th &28th June 7pm. - Much Ado about Nothing 'A Must-See Event' - The Lord Chamberlain's Men. £14.50 adults - £8.50 child. - Telephone:- 01492 872000

18th July 7.00pm - Othello - Anvil Productions - Ticketed event - Telephone:- 07900 498966

1st  August 7pm - David Copperfield - Anvil Productions - Ticketed Event - Telephone:- 07900 498966