Conwy
is a town in North Wales, renowned for its medieval Castle and almost complete
town walls, with a picturesque harbour overlooking the estuary of the River
Conwy. The magnificent Edwardian Castle and town walls are a World Heritage
Site and after a visit
to the town you will understand why they have been chosen for this award.
The castle itself is one of the most impressive examples of mediaeval military
architecture and offers spectacular views of both the estuary and the mountains
of Snowdonia. Visitors can also walk along the town walls between Uppergate
Street and Berry Street. The circuit of walls, over three quarters of a
mile long and guarded by no less than 22 towers, is one of the finest in
the World.
Today Conwy is a bustling town catering for both tourists and the local
community. Ancient buildings sit comfortably among more recent properties
and there is an abundance of places to visit. Top of the list is the Castle,
but there are many more including Plas Mawr, an architectural gem, said
to be the finest surviving town house of the Elizabethan era to be found
anywhere in Britain. Or down towards the quayside you will find Aberconwy
House a 14th-century merchant's house believed to be not only the oldest
house in Conwy but the oldest town house in Wales. It has been carefully
restored to reflect
the daily life of its residents over time. On the quayside you may enter
the smallest house in Britain, or visit the Aquarium and Conwy mussel museum.
Take a boat trip on the river and see the Great Orme, or sail upriver to
see the full beauty of the Conwy Estuary and the Conwy Valley. Conwy also
offers the chance to see what is probably the worst designed building in
Britain.....the extension to the public library near the quayside. You could
not find a more inappropriate place for such an ugly concrete monstrosity.
A SHORT HISTORY OF THE TOWN:
In the year 1283 King Edward 1 and his English army had completed the conquest
of Snowdonia and terminated the rule of the Welsh princes. The capture of
Dolwyddelan Castle gave Edward the control of the Conwy valley and he moved
to Conwy in March of 1283. Here the monastery of Aberconwy, the spiritual
heart of Gwynedd and the burial place of Llewelyn
the Great, was destroyed and a new home for the monks was built at Maenan
some 8 miles away. All that remained was the unfinished abbey church which
was to become St.
Mary’s Church the parish church of the new town,
which it still remains. Edward immediately set about organising the building
of the Castle and within 4 short years this " the most magnificent
of Edward 1's Castles" would be substantially complete. Conwy Castle
has withstood the passage of time and today the views from the battlements
are breathtaking looking out across mountains and sea and down to the roofless
shell of the castles 125ft Great Hall. It is from these battlements that
visitors can best appreciate Conwy's other great glory, its ring of town
walls. Conwy is the classic walled town. Its circuit of walls, over three
quarters of a mile long and guarded by no less than 22 towers, is one of
the finest in the World.
Conwy has some very fine hotel accommodation, pubs, restaurants, and tea
rooms, all offering excellent food and drink with a warm welcome and friendly
service.
Other attractions include:
Aberconwy House.
A 14th-century merchant’s house that is the only medieval merchant’s
house to have survived the turbulent history of this walled town over nearly
six centuries. Furnished rooms and an audio-visual presentation show daily
life from different periods in its history.
The Smallest House in Britain.
Built originally as a fisherman’s cottage on the quay front, its last
occupant was 6’ 3” but amazingly it measures 9’ 9”
high by just 6’ wide!
Plas Mawr or “Great Mansion”.
Plas Mawr was built in 1576 and is possibly the best preserved Elizabethan
townhouse in Great Britain. Built by Robert Wynn between 1576 and 1585,
it dominates the town with its gatehouse, stepped gables and lookout tower.
The interior with its elaborately decorated plaster ceilings and fine wooden
screens, reflecting the wealth and influence of the Tudor gentry in Wales,
has been almost entirely restored.
Conwy Suspension Bridge and Toll-keeper’s House.
Designed and built by Thomas Telford, the bridge was completed in 1826.
It replaced the ferry, which was previously the only means of crossing the
river. The house has been restored and furnished as it would have been a
century ago.
Conwy Quay
Have a look at the 'Lower Gate' part of the town walls. Take a trip on the
explorer cruise around the bay with Conwy Boats
Have a look at the Conwy Mussel Museum on the Quay (Free Entry). |