Photographs of Conwy Castle

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Conwy Castle was built by Edward I during his invasion of Wales between 1282 and 1289 as one of the key fortresses in his 'iron ring' of castles. The eight great towers, with four smaller towers providing further height, and the connecting walls are all intact. Most of the castle is accessible and well preserved. Climbing to the top of any of the towers provides spectacular views of the interior of the castle (now roofless), the town with its stone walls, surrounding coastline and countryside.
Unlike most of the other Edwardian castles in Wales, Conwy was not built to a "concentric" plan. The nature of the rock outcrop suggested a linear outline, with a lower barbican outwork at each end. The interior was sharply divided by a cross wall into two quite separate wards, so that either could hold out independently if the other should fall. When completed, the walls would have been covered with a white plaster rendering, which must have had a stunning effect, quite different from the gray stonework visible today.