Conwy Castle

Our holiday stay in North Wales looked across the Conwy Estuary to Conwy castle, what a view, and so of course a visit was a must. As members for over two years of English Heritage we can also visit Cadw properties which opens up so many exciting places, Conwy Castle being just one. 

It is another of Edward I's fortress ring, this time he also built walls around the town. Using his architect Master James of St George Edward's castle and walled town was completed in just 4 years, 1283 - 1287.

Today there are three bridges crossing the estuary to give access to the town and it's Castle, however when built Edward I defended the water access with outer battlements. 

The road bridge was built in the late 1950s and was the main road through Conwy until a tunnel was built under the estuary in 1991 for the A55 tunk road to Angelsey.

The beautiful suspension bridge is one of Thomas Telford's finest and is the same design as his bridge to Angelsey, the Menai Bridge. It was built in 1826 and is now looked after by National Trust.

The third bridge is for rail, built by Robert Stephenson in 1849. It is the only example remaining of his tubular bridge made of wrought iron. All three bridges run parallel to each other, quite a feat of engineering spanning the Conwy river. 

Despite building this magnificent eight towered fortress with the high outer walls built to provide defence and safety Edward I only stayed once at the castle and his wife Eleanor of Castile died before it was completed. Maybe this accounts for the glum looking welcomer.

Edward II did however spend a number of months here in 1301. Richard II was also at the castle in 1399, unsuccessfully negotiating before being captured. The castle was used over time as intended with the royal apartments changed into one large chamber. As with many properties across England and Wales the castle was heavily damaged during the Civil War and never used as a residence again. 

There is so much to explore, many of the spiral staircases are still complete a d once climbed the views are amazing. The remaining walls give a good insight into how life was intended to be, if only for a few years by successive royals and not its builder Edward I.

It was another superb visit, you can easily let your imagination flow picturing the castle draped in royal banners with knights on horseback. It was certainly an imposing place in a stunning location, one of Wales' best, if built by an English King.