Scheduled MonumentsWalesCastell Conwy
Medieval · Castle

Castell Conwy

Conwy, Wales
Cadw SAM CN004
Period
Medieval
Site type
Castle
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Castell Conwy is a late thirteenth-century castle built by Edward I as part of his military campaign to subjugate North Wales following the defeat of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd. Constructed between 1283 and 1287, the castle occupies a prominent rocky outcrop overlooking the town of Conwy and the estuary, with eight towers integrated into its curtain walls and two barbicans controlling access to the inner ward. The fortress was designed as a concentric castle with an inner and outer ward, employing advanced contemporary military architecture to project English royal authority and garrison an English military presence in a strategically important location. The castle has been continuously maintained as a military structure and, since its acquisition by Cadw, stands as one of the finest surviving examples of Edwardian castle architecture in Wales.

Castell Conwy is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference CN004. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Castell Conwy?

Castell Conwy is a late thirteenth-century castle built by Edward I as part of his military campaign to subjugate North Wales following the defeat of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference CN004.

What period does Castell Conwy date from?

Castell Conwy dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a castle. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Castell Conwy?

Castell Conwy is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is CN004.

What other scheduled monuments are near Castell Conwy?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Bryn Castell (5.5 km), Maen Penddu (5.9 km), Cefn Maen Amor stone circle (5.9 km).

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