Conwy medieval town — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
A Fair with Ancient Roots
The Conwy Honey Fair is one of those events that feels genuinely rooted in local tradition rather than invented for the tourist trade. Its origins are traced to a charter granted under Edward I, giving it roots that stretch back roughly 700 years and a strong claim to being one of the oldest commercial fairs of any kind in Wales. Today it takes place on a Saturday in September in Conwy High Street and Lancaster Square — the centre of the medieval walled town — with the castle towers visible above the rooftops and the town walls enclosing the scene. The setting creates an atmosphere that a more generic market venue could not replicate.
September is also an excellent time to visit Conwy: the summer crowds have thinned, the light is softer and more autumnal, and the weather can be warm and settled in a way that makes outdoor market browsing genuinely pleasurable.
What Happens at the Fair
The Honey Fair brings together honey producers, beekeepers, artisan food makers and market traders from across Wales and the wider region. Honey in all its forms takes centre stage: raw honey, creamed honey, honeycomb, beeswax candles and polish, bee pollen, royal jelly and mead all appear on the stalls. Welsh food and drink producers — cheeses, cured meats, preserves, ales — and craft makers fill the surrounding pitches, making this as much a celebration of Welsh produce generally as it is a specialist honey event.
Demonstrations of beekeeping and talks about bee biology, pollination and the importance of bees to the food chain give the fair an educational dimension that has grown more prominent in recent years. Children in particular seem to respond well to the chance to observe bees safely and to learn something about how honey is produced.
Planning Your Visit
The fair takes place on a Saturday in September, though the precise date varies from year to year. Check the official Conwy tourism website or the conwy.com website for current year dates and programme details. Entry to the fair is generally free, though some demonstrations and activities may have a small charge. The town's cafes, pubs and restaurants are all open during the fair and tend to be busy; booking ahead for evening meals is sensible if you are planning to stay overnight.
Accommodation during the Honey Fair weekend can fill up quickly, particularly in the smaller guest houses and B&Bs. If you are planning to attend the fair, booking your accommodation as early as possible is advisable. The where to stay guide covers the accommodation options in and around Conwy.
Exploring Conwy During Fair Weekend
The Honey Fair weekend provides an excellent opportunity to combine the fair itself with a broader exploration of Conwy's outstanding heritage. The castle and town walls are invariably open and provide a dramatic backdrop to the market activity in the streets below. Plas Mawr and Aberconwy House are both worth visiting, and the quayside is at its most animated during the fair weekend as visitor numbers swell and the harbour takes on a festive character.
For those arriving by train, Conwy station is on the main Chester to Holyhead line and the town is entirely walkable from the station. The getting here by train guide has full details on services and journey times.
Day trips