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Wall · Conwy, País de Gales
Conwy Town Walls
The medieval walls of Conwy, about 1.3 km long, with 21 towers and three gates, almost complete, with walkways along several sections and views over the town, the castle and the estuary. From Cadw.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Conwy Town Walls
The walls of Conwy were built together with the castle between 1283 and 1287 to enclose the new town Edward I founded for English settlers. They are about 1.3 km long, with 21 D-shaped towers and three main gates, and are among the most complete medieval town walls in Europe. The town inside still follows its 13th-century street layout.
Several stretches can be walked on top, along crenellated walkways, with climbs via stairs in the towers. The highest stretch, near the Upper Gate at the town’s highest point, offers views over the roofs, the castle and the estuary. A section of wall houses twelve medieval privies in a row, built for the king’s servants, visible from the street.
Inside the walls are other short visit points: Plas Mawr, the Elizabethan town house; Aberconwy House, a 14th-century merchant’s house owned by the National Trust; St Mary’s church, on the site of the former abbey; and, on the quay, the Smallest House in Great Britain, a red house about 3 metres high and 1.8 metres wide that typically opens for quick visits in season. The quay has fishing boats and estuary cruises.
The walk along the walls is free. The walkways are narrow and have irregular steps.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 1 to 1.5 hours to walk the walls and the quay.
Best time
On a dry day, preferably late afternoon when the light falls on the estuary. The walkways may close in bad weather.
How to get there
The walls surround the centre of Conwy, a 5-minute walk from Conwy station. There are stair accesses near the castle, the Upper Gate and the quay.
Tip
Go up at the Upper Gate, the highest point, to see the whole town with the castle in the background. Finish at the quay, with the Smallest House and the fishing boats.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Conwy Town Walls
Can you walk along the walls of Conwy?
Yes, several sections have raised walkways with free access.
What is the Smallest House in Great Britain?
A red house on Conwy quay, about 3 metres tall and 1.8 metres wide, which usually opens for a short visit during the season.
How long are the walls?
About 1.3 km long, with 21 towers and three gates.