Conwy Castle
Conwy, North Wales, LL32 8AY
0870 042 4579
Category:
Places to visit
Built for King Edward I between 1283-87, Master James of St George's design at Conwy remains one of the most outstanding achievements of medieval military architecture. The distinctive elongated shape, with its two barbicans, eight massive towers and great bow-shaped hall, was perhaps determined by the narrow rocky outcrop on which the castle stands.
A World Heritage Site, Conwy is by any standards one of the great fortresses of medieval Europe. The castle was an important part of King Edward I's plan of surrounding Wales in "an iron ring of castles" to subdue the rebellious population. The highly defensible wall Edward built around the town was intended to protect the English colony planted at Conwy and no visit today is complete without a circuit of the town walls. They are one of the finest and most complete sets in Europe, over 3/4 mile in length with 21 towers and three original gateways.
Visit Conwy Castle
1 April to 31 May 2006: 9.30am - 5.00pm daily. 1 June to 30 September: 9.30am - 6.00pm daily. 1 to 31 October: 9.30am - 5.00pm daily. 1 November to 31 March 9.30am - 4.00pm Monday to Saturday. 2007: 11.00am - 4.00pm Sunday.
0870 042 4579
calls charged at national rate
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk