The best things to do in Conwy

When King Edward established Conwy in 1283, he would’ve had no idea what it would become.

It was initially supposed to be a fortified town, with Conwy Castle at its heart, to help him consolidate power in the newly invaded North Wales. But a symbol intended to intimidate now impresses, and it’s one of the most charming towns in Wales.

The historic part of Conwy is still surrounded by the medieval walls and, even if most of what was here in the 13th century no longer remains, there’s a wonderful collection of heritage in the compact township – from fortifications to elegant manors, and even authentic pubs.

Exploring these streets will show you the treasure of the Welsh town, but in a moment I’ll tell you a bit more about a few particular highlights of what to see in Conwy.

Often people visit Conwy for just a couple of hours to visit the main attractions, particularly tourists who are staying at nearby Llandudno. It’s also a popular stop on tours or day trips from the English cities of Liverpool and Manchester.

But Conwy makes for a wonderful overnight destination, which gives you a chance to walk the streets without the crowds and soak up the pervasive heritage of the Middle Ages that feels even stronger in the evenings.

If you stay overnight, there are wonderful rooms at The Erskine Arms, a traditional Georgian coaching inn that also has excellent gastropub food. And I’ve got more suggestions at the end of this article on the best accommodation in Conwy.

For now, though, let me tell you a bit more about the best things to see in Conwy, which I’ve marked on the map below.

Everything in Conwy is just minutes away from each other – at least, as far as the historic centre is concerned. But that doesn’t mean you’ll want to rush through it all.

Conwy Castle

The star attraction here is, of course, Conwy Castle, built between 1283 and 1287 by the English King Edward I during his conquest of Wales.

The castle (and the town around it) was both practical and symbolic. King Edward needed to build a series of fortifications to help protect the land he had claimed – but he also built Conwy Castle on this particular location because it already held significance for the…