The story of Conwy Castle

King Edward I built this castle between 1283 and 1287, during his conquest of Wales, together with the walled town around it – and the whole project cost around £15,000, a massive sum for the time. Over the following centuries it was caught up in several wars. In the winter of 1294–95 it held out against a siege by the Welsh rebel Madog ap Llywelyn.

In 1399 it gave temporary refuge to King Richard II, and in 1401 forces loyal to Owain Glyndŵr held it for several months. In the English Civil War it was held for King Charles I until 1646, when it surrendered to Parliament's armies. Afterwards Parliament partly wrecked it so it could never be used in a rebellion again, and in 1665 its remaining iron and lead were stripped and sold, leaving it a ruin.

By the late 18th century, painters were coming to paint its romantic towers. Walk around the castle and look out over the river and the old town walls.