Nestled in the picturesque town of Conwy in North Wales, Conwy Castle stands as a magnificent testament to medieval architecture and the legacy of King Edward I.
I recently visited Conwy Castle for myself, and in this guide, I’ll share all of my best photos and everything you need to know to plan your own trip to one of North Wales’ best castles.
About Conwy Castle
Built between 1283 and 1287 as part of Edward's campaign to conquer Wales, Conwy Castle dominates the town of Conwy where it stands with its high curtain walls and eight towers that have endured the test of time.
Although the castle is a ruin, it’s still in excellent condition and its royal apartments are considered to be some of the best-preserved in Wales. The castle is recognised as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is managed by CADW.
Is Conwy Castle Worth Visiting?
Yes, Conwy Castle is worth visiting because it’s one of the most impressive and well-preserved medieval fortresses in North Wales and part of a UNESCO heritage site.
The castle is impressive from the outside, but it’s best when enjoyed from the top of its towers where you can fully appreciate the architecture and layout of the castle, plus you have incredible panoramic views across the Conwy Estuary.
Don’t forget some of the other great things to do in Conwy such as walking across the Thomas Telford Suspension Bridge and around Conwy Town Walls too. These are not part of your castle entry ticket but will complement your visit to the castle.
How To Visit Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle is located in Conwy town centre and can easily be visited by car or public transport.
By Car: Follow the A55 or B5106 to Conwy and the castle will be signposted as you reach the town.
Where To Park? The best place to park for visiting Conwy Castle is at Vicarage Gardens car park which is right next to the castle entrance. It is managed by the local council and charges £3.30 for 2 hours via pay-and-display machines. Find all prices here.
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Alternatively, Morfa Bach car park is just a 3-minute walk from the castle via an underpass. This is slightly cheaper and saves driving through the town centre.
By Public Transport: The best way to visit Conwy Castle via public transport is to catch the train as Conwy railway station is just a 4-minute walk. There are direct trains to Conwy from Chester, although it is a request stop so you’ll need to alert the conductor that you plan to get off there. Book your train tickets here.
Visitor Information
How Long Does It Take to Visit Conwy Castle?
Conwy Castle isn’t particularly big once inside and it’s a ruin so it only takes around 30-45 minutes to visit.
I have seen people online stating that they spent 2-3 hours at the castle but this likely includes time exploring the broader town such as the suspension bridge and the town walls which I would also recommend.
Entry Fees
It's free to visit Conwy Castle if you have a CADW Membership. If you don't, here are the latest prices:
| Adult | £11.70 |
| Juniors (5-17) and Students | £8.20 |
| Senior Citizens (65+) | £11.10 |
| Family (2 adults and 3 children) | £37.70 |
Under 5s and disabled people (and their companion) can also visit for free.
If you are planning to visit multiple CADW sites, ask about their 3-day or 5-day CADW Explorer Pass to save money.
Is Conwy Castle National Trust? No, Conwy Castle is not National Trust, it’s managed by CADW which is the part of the Welsh government responsible for managing historic sites in Wales.
Opening Hours
Conwy Castle’s opening hours vary by season:
| March – June | 9.30am – 5pm |
| July – August | 9.30am – 6pm |
| September – October | 9.30am – 5pm |
| November - February | 10am – 4pm |
Last entry is 30 minutes before closing time.
Common Questions
Is Conwy Castle Suitable for Prams and Wheelchairs?
No, although CADW have made an effort to ensure that the visitor centre and parts of the castle are accessible, the best part of visiting the castle is heading up the towers and the wall walks which include staircases and narrow, uneven passageways so it’s not suitable for prams or wheelchairs.
Is Conwy Castle Suitable for Dogs?
No, dogs are not allowed into Conwy Castle, except for assistance dogs.
Is There a Café at Conwy Castle?
No, there is no café at Conwy Castle, but there are several nearby. My favourite is The Jesters Tower which is just across the road from the castle inside one of the Medieval towers of the town walls. It has great views across the estuary if you manage to get a window seat.
There are also two tearooms in Vicarage Gardens Car Park near the castle entrance, these are called Castle Café and Castle Gallery.
Map of Conwy Castle
The below map of Conwy Castle gives you an idea of the floor plan. It might be helpful to save a copy of this for your visit.
The below drone photo of Conwy Castle shows how it looks in reality.
Things To Do at Conwy Castle
1. Explore the outer keep including the prison tower
Like most medieval castles, Conwy Castle is split into two distinct sections; the outer keep and the inner keep.
When you first enter, you’ll find yourself in the outer keep. This would have contained the administrative rooms such as the kitchen, stables, and bakery, although these are no longer here.
On your right, there are three rooms. The central room would have been the Great Hall where feasts and ceremonies would have been held. To the side of this, you’ll see the chapel and Lesser Hall.
Heading through the Great Hall will lead you to the Prison Tower which is where criminals were kept, with the most important criminals put in the 3m deep dungeon at the base of the tower.
You can also head up to the second floor where you can walk along the walls.
2. See the best-preserved Medieval royal apartments in Wales
The second half of the castle is the inner keep. You’ll notice that it is clearly separated from the inner keep by defensive walls. Although you can now walk freely between the two, it would have previously been blocked off by gates.
This extra defence was needed because this half of the castle contained the royal apartments.
These apartments occupied the entire first floor, with separate rooms and staircases for the king and queen. They are considered to be the best-preserved royal apartments from Medieval times in the country.
3. Climb the spiral staircase to the top of the towers
The highlight of visiting Conwy Castle is ascending the spiral stairways to the top of the towers. It has eight towers in total, the four tallest ones stand at 21m, making them the highest vantage point in the town centre.
From the top, you’ll have a bird’s eye view of the castle and it will help you better understand its layout with the inner ward at the back and the outer ward at the front.
4. Visit the Eastern Barbican and admire the suspension bridge
At the far end of the castle from where you entered, you’ll find the Eastern Barbican where there would have once been gardens that the King could enjoy.
From here, you’ll have an excellent view of the three bridges that span the Conwy Estuary. The most famous being the Thomas Telford Suspension Bridge in the middle. This was a much later addition in the 19th century, although it’s been styled to blend in with the castle’s architecture.
You can walk across the suspension bridge for free, this is not part of the castle entry ticket as it’s managed by the National Trust, not CADW.
Events at Conwy Castle
There are occasional events at Conwy Castle such as children's entertainment and workshops.
The events are free, however, you’ll still need to pay for admission. The castle can get busy when events are on so I recommend that you book an admission ticket ahead of time (even if you’re booking a free ticket as a CADW member).
You can find out about upcoming events here.
Where To Stay Near Conwy Castle
If you’re looking for places to stay near Conwy Castle, I can recommend the following:
Johnny Doughs – You can’t get much closer to the castle than Johnny Doughs. The legendary pizza restaurant in Conwy also has some rooms upstairs which are fairly affordable.
The Castle Hotel – If you’re looking for a little more comfort, this is a 4-star hotel just around the corner from the castle with elegant, well-equipped rooms. Check out their suite for a luxurious apartment with views across the town.
A Brief History of Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle was built by King Edward I between 1283 and 1287 as part of his conquest of Wales.
The castle played a significant role in various historical events, including withstanding the siege of Madog ap Llywelyn in 1294-95 and serving as a temporary refuge for Richard II in 1399.
It was also held by forces loyal to Owain Glyndŵr in 1401 after they snook into the castle by pretending to be carpenters and killed the two watchmen on duty.
During the English Civil War, Conwy Castle was held by Charles I's forces until surrendering to Parliamentary armies in 1646. Following the war, it was partially dismantled to prevent future uprisings and eventually fell into ruin.
In the 19th century, restoration work began, and today, Conwy Castle is managed by CADW as a popular tourist attraction. It is considered one of the finest examples of medieval military architecture in Europe and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other castles in Beaumaris, Caernarfon, and Harlech.
Related Questions
Can You Get Married at Conwy Castle?
No, you cannot get married at Conwy Castle because they do not have a wedding license. The same applies to Civil Partnerships.
Can You Go Inside Conwy Castle?
Yes, you can enter Conwy Castle, although it’s a paid attraction. Keep in mind that this is a medieval castle ruin so it’s mostly outdoors.
Published: 14 June 2023