Castles of Northern Wales

Conwy and Caernarfon

The Castles of Northern Wales

In the 13^th Century the Welsh created an independent country ruled by a Monarch. The King of England, Edward I, was not happy with this and fought hard to reverse it. In 1282 the ruling monarch died and King Edward brought in his troops to build 17 castles (in 20 years time) throughout Northern Wales regaining control of the area. The most important of these castles were built at the shore so that they could be accessible by sea. Fortified towns were built adjoining the castles so that soldiers and their families had a place to live. Today these castles are some of the best in Britain.

Conwy

The Castle in Conwy, with its 8 towers, is quite impressive and well worth a visit, guided tours are offered upon entrance. Attached to the castle is the wall that surrounds the town. The wall has 22 towers and much of it can be walked on, offering great views of the castle, town and sea. High Street is the main street in town, starting at the town square and leading to the harbor. On High Street you’ll find Plas Mawr, (the oldest house in Wales) which is well worth a visit. The harbor offers a fine promenade for strolling and also the smallest house in Britain.

Caernarfon

The castle in Caernarfon is also impressive and even larger than the one in Conwy . It is also the castle where the Prince of Wales is invested. Similar to Conwy, the town has a wall, but the town interior does not offer as much charm as Conwy.

Other Castles to consider include Beaumaris, Criccieth and Harlech.

Llandudno: This is a typical Victorian British beach town. The mile long beach promenade is lined with hotels, restaurants and a boardwalk. A mountain sitting on the edge of town, the Great Orme, is its top attraction. In warm months a trolley brings visitors to the mountain top for views over the beautiful countryside and sea. This is a great base for families visiting the area in the summer months.

Snowdonia National Park: This is Britain’s second largest national park and has Britain highest peak, Mount Snowdon, at 3500 feet. A great stop for nature and hiking lovers. There are seven different trails leading from the touristy town of Betws-y-Coed to the summit. Plan on 5-7 hours of hiking. For a more local experience drive to Beddgelert and hike from there. From Llanberis you can catch the Mountain Railway (in summer months) to the summit of Mount Snowdon.

We recommend spending two nights in Conwy, which will allow you to visit two castles. More time is needed to explore Snowdonia or other towns and castles. The best way to properly see Northern Wales is with a car. Conwy is however accessible by train and there are buses that visit other areas from there.

Top of Page