Conwy Castle is a magnificent 13th century stronghold constructed by Edward I, that today makes up one of four castles in Wales named as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Constructed under the orders of King Edward I and built between 1283 and 1289, Conwy Castle was one of an ‘iron ring’ of strongholds commissioned to establish the king’s dominance over Wales.
During the English Civil War, Conwy was initially a royal stronghold before falling to Parliament in 1646. Following this, the castle was slighted, or purposefully damaged to put it beyond military use, and eventually fell to complete ruin in the late 17th century.
Today, Conwy Castle is managed by Cadw, which is the historic environment service of the Welsh Government and part of the Tourism and Culture group, and is open to the public. With its imposing towers and turrets and a striking position high over the Conwy estuary, the castle remains an atmospheric and picturesque site..