Castle · Wales
Conwy Castle
Managed by Cadw
Edward I's great fortress on the Conwy estuary, built in just four years alongside a walled town to hold conquered north Wales.
- Built
- 1283–87
- Period
- Medieval
- Built by
- Edward I
- Condition
- Ruin
- Entry
- Paid admission
- World Heritage
- UNESCO site
Visiting
Opening times, prices and access change through the year. Check with Cadw before you travel.
Opening times & tickets (opens cadw.gov.wales in a new tab)History
Conwy Castle was built between 1283 and 1287 for Edward I, after his conquest of Gwynedd. It was designed by Master James of St George, the Savoyard mason behind the king's other great castles in north Wales, and raised together with a walled town for English settlers. Eight massive drum towers on a narrow rock made the castle almost impossible to assault. The inner ward held the royal apartments; the outer ward held the great hall and the garrison. In 1399 Richard II sheltered here before surrendering to Henry Bolingbroke. On Good Friday 1401 the brothers Rhys and Gwilym ap Tudur cousins of Owain Glyndŵr seized the castle by a ruse and held it for about three months. In the Civil War the castle was held for the King until it surrendered to Parliament in 1646. It was partly slighted in 1655 and its lead and timber were later stripped and sold leaving the roofless ruin seen today. With Caernarfon Harlech and Beaumaris it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.
Timeline
- 1283Building beginsEdward I orders the castle and town walls after conquering Gwynedd.
- c. 1287Castle largely completeFinished in about four years, at enormous cost.
- 1294–95Edward I cut off at Conwy (siege or battle)The king is trapped here over winter during Madog ap Llywelyn's revolt.
- 1399Richard II takes refugeThe king shelters at Conwy before surrendering to Henry Bolingbroke.
- 1401Seized by the Tudur brothers (siege or battle)Rhys and Gwilym ap Tudur take the castle for Owain Glyndŵr's rising.
- 1646Surrenders to Parliament (siege or battle)The royalist garrison gives up the castle at the end of the Civil War.
- 1655Partly slightedParliament orders the defences damaged so they can't be used again.
- 1986World Heritage SiteInscribed with Caernarfon, Harlech and Beaumaris.
People & families
- Edward IKing of England · 1239–1307Commissioned the castle and walled town.
- Master James of St GeorgeMaster mason · c. 1230–1309Designed Edward's castles in north Wales.
- Richard IIKing of England · 1367–1400Sheltered here in 1399 before his surrender.
- Rhys ap TudurWelsh rebel · d. 1412Seized the castle with his brother Gwilym in 1401.