Step back in time and explore the fascinating ruins of Deganwy Castle, a medieval fortress that once stood proudly overlooking the Conwy Estuary in North Wales.
You can walk to the top of the rocky outcrop where Deganwy Castle once stood and from here you can see the imposing Conwy Castle across the river. It’s one of the few places in Wales where you can see one castle from the top of another.
I recently went to Deganwy Castle for myself, or at least the site where it once stood, and in this guide, I’ll give a little history about the castle and share a step-by-step guide on how you can visit this remarkable Welsh heritage site too.
About Deganwy Castle
Before the town of Conwy was built with its iconic fortress that’s easily one of the best castles in North Wales, an earlier fortress protected the area from atop a rocky outcrop on the opposite side of the river, known as Deganwy Castle.
The fortress dates back as early as Roman times and would have originally been built of timber. It was later fortified with stone in the early 13th century by Llewelyn the Great.
Over the century, the castle changed hands several times between the Welsh Princes and the English Marcher Lords, each time being rebuilt better than before.
Toward the end of the century, King Edward I took control of the area. He abandoned Deganwy Castle and in 1283, he ordered the construction of Conwy Castle just over the river.
After this, Deganwy Castle fell to ruin and today there is little left to see other than a few stone structures. However, the view from the top of the rocky outcrop still makes it worth visiting.
How To Visit Deganwy Castle
The remains of Deganwy Castle are open to the public and free to visit. You can walk to the top of the two rocky outcrops, or admire them from below.
Where To Park? The official place to park for visiting Deganwy Castle is at Platt Field Car Park which is a free car park less than 1km from the castle. Here is a Google Maps pin. If you want to park a little closer, you can also park along York Road.
Once you have parked in Platt Field Car Park, head back out onto Deganwy Road and turn right. Walk around 350m then turn left down York Road.
Follow the road for another 320m until you see a small pedestrian path on your left as shown in the photo below. This path will lead you to Deganwy Castle.
From the car park, it takes around 15-20 minutes to reach the base of the castle and a few more minutes to reach the top where you'll get a panoramic view across the estuary with Conwy in the background.
If you’d rather use a map, I’ve put together this map which you can also view on AllTrails.
Visitor Information
Pricing and Opening Times
There is no cost to visit Deganwy Castle and it’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I visited shortly after sunrise and can highly recommend this as you can see from the images in this article.
How Long Does It Take To Visit Deganwy Castle?
Allow 50-60 minutes in total for your visit from the car park and back again after. This includes time to climb up one of the rocky outcrops and admire the view.
Is It Suitable For Wheelchairs and Prams?
No, the walk to Deganwy Castle involves a narrow passage and a grassy field so it’s not suitable for those with wheelchairs or pushchairs.
Published: 8 May 2023 · Last updated: 7 September 2023