Conwy Castle is a 13th-century fortress built by Edward I in the walled town of Conwy, North Wales. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
This guide was last updated in September 2026. Unlike some older guides, it reflects the partial closure of Conwy’s town walls near the castle. It also reflects the ticket prices that took effect on 1 September 2026, both confirmed on the official Cadw website.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | 9.30am–5pm (1 Mar–30 Jun & 1 Sep–31 Oct); 9.30am–6pm (1 Jul–31 Aug); 10am–4pm (1 Nov–28 Feb) |
| Ticket prices | Adult £12.90 (£16.30 joint); Senior £11.60; Junior/Student £9.00; Family (2 adults + 3 children) £41.30; members and companions free |
| Address | Castell Conwy, Rose Hill St, Conwy, LL32 8AY |
| Nearest transport | Conwy railway station, 0.4 miles away; bus route 5 stops 200 yards from the castle |
| Typical time needed | 1.5 to 2 hours |
Conwy Castle opening hours
Conwy Castle opens every day of the year, apart from a few dates around Christmas and New Year, with hours that change by season.
- 1 March to 30 June: 9.30am to 5pm
- 1 July to 31 August: 9.30am to 6pm
- 1 September to 31 October: 9.30am to 5pm
- 1 November to 28 February: 10am to 4pm
- Last admission is 30 minutes before closing
- Closed 24, 25 and 26 December, and 1 January
These times apply across the whole year, not only the current month, so check the season that matches your visit.
Conwy Castle ticket prices
Buying tickets online saves 5% compared with paying on arrival at Conwy Castle.
| Category | Single site | Joint with Plas Mawr |
|---|---|---|
| Member | Free | Free |
| Adult | £12.90 | £16.30 |
| Senior (65+) | £11.60 | £14.60 |
| Junior (5–17) / Student | £9.00 | £11.40 |
| Family (2 adults + up to 3 children) | £41.30 | £52.20 |
| Family (1 adult + up to 3 children) | £28.40 | £35.90 |
| Disabled visitor and companion | Free | Free |
The joint ticket also covers Plas Mawr, an Elizabethan town house a few minutes’ walk from the castle, usable at both sites on the same day. Children under 5 always enter free, and visitors receiving Universal Credit or other named benefits can book £1 tickets online in advance.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026, for the pricing period running from 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027. Book tickets on the official Cadw site.
Conwy Castle is covered by the Cadw Explorer Pass, alongside Caernarfon Castle, Beaumaris Castle, Harlech Castle, and Denbigh Castle.
How to get to Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle stands inside the town’s medieval walls, a short walk from the railway station and bus stops.
- By road: take the A55 or the B5106; the castle is well signposted from central Conwy.
- By rail: Conwy railway station is about 0.4 miles away, on the Crewe–Bangor/Holyhead line via Llandudno Junction. Not every train calls at Conwy itself, so check before travelling.
- By bus: route 5 (Llandudno–Conwy–Bangor/Caernarfon) stops around 200 yards from the castle.
- By bike: National Cycle Network Route 5 passes within 150 yards of the castle.
- Address: Castell Conwy, Rose Hill St, Conwy, LL32 8AY.
Parking at Conwy Castle
A short-stay pay and display car park is immediately outside the visitor centre, with dedicated disabled spaces.
A long-stay car and coach park is available outside the town walls for those staying longer or arriving by coach.
How long to spend at Conwy Castle
Most visitors spend between one and a half and two hours at Conwy Castle, enough time to climb several of its eight towers and walk sections of the battlements. Allow extra time if you plan to visit Plas Mawr on the same joint ticket.
Accessibility at Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle rates its terrain as “Level 4 – Strenuous” in its official access guide, reflecting steep paths and historic stairs throughout the site.
- Reaching the castle from the visitor centre involves a steep path of around 50 metres with several steps at various points.
- The ground level is cobbled and can be uneven; higher vantage points are reached only by narrow spiral staircases with low lighting.
- A portable induction loop and accessible toilets are available at the visitor centre.
- Assistance dogs are welcome year-round; visitors’ own dogs on short leads may access ground floor levels only from 4 November to 28 February.
- Mobility scooter users should check their scooter suits uneven, gravelled and cobbled ground before visiting; contact Cadw in advance with any questions.
Inside Conwy Castle: what to see
Conwy Castle holds the most complete set of medieval royal apartments surviving anywhere in England or Wales.
Visitors can explore the King’s Great Chamber, the atmospheric inner ward chapel, and the “watching chamber”, from which royal households could observe services in private.
A restored circuit of spiral staircases lets visitors walk almost the entire battlements across the castle’s eight towers, with views over the Conwy Estuary and the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia).
Traces of lime render on the walls are a reminder that the fortress was originally whitewashed, rather than the bare stone seen today.
The undercroft beneath the Great Hall and the servants’ passages linking the royal rooms are also open to explore.
Conwy Castle forms part of the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside Beaumaris, Caernarfon, and Harlech castles.
Practical visitor tips for Conwy Castle
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Arrive at opening, around 9.30am, since Conwy is one of Wales’ most visited castles. |
| Crowds | Expect the busiest conditions at Easter, on summer weekends, and during Welsh school holidays. |
| Layout | The route from the visitor centre involves a steep path and several sets of stairs, so wear sturdy shoes. |
| Entry process | Book online in advance for the 5% discount, or choose the joint ticket if visiting Plas Mawr too. |
| On-site logistics | An audio guide costs £3 for non-members; Cadw members can use one free of charge. |
Frequently asked questions about Conwy Castle
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Conwy Castle suitable for children? | Yes, though the steep paths, narrow stairs, and low walls mean children need supervision throughout. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Conwy Castle? | Booking online is not compulsory, but it saves 5% compared with buying on arrival. |
| Is Conwy Castle open on Sundays? | Yes. The castle opens daily, except 24, 25 and 26 December and 1 January. |
| Are dogs allowed at Conwy Castle? | Only assistance dogs from March to October; leashed dogs may visit ground floor levels from November to February. |
| Is Conwy Castle wheelchair accessible? | No. The site rates as “Level 4 – Strenuous,” with a steep entry path and stair-only upper levels. |
Things to do near Conwy Castle
- Conwy Town Walls: A 1,400-yard circuit of medieval walls around the town. Most of the route is open, though a short section near the Watch Tower is closed until Easter 2027.
- Plas Mawr: An Elizabethan town house a few minutes’ walk from the castle, covered by the joint Cadw ticket.
- Smallest House in Great Britain: A tiny red cottage on Conwy Quay, open to visitors from spring to autumn.
- Conwy Suspension Bridge: Thomas Telford’s early 19th-century bridge, standing right beside the castle.
- Bodnant Garden: A National Trust garden around 8 miles from Conwy, known for its laburnum arch and rhododendrons.
Alternative attractions to Conwy Castle
- Caernarfon Castle: Another UNESCO World Heritage castle built by Edward I, around 45 minutes’ drive away.
- Beaumaris Castle: A moated, concentric UNESCO World Heritage castle on Anglesey, around 35 to 50 minutes’ drive away.
- Harlech Castle: A UNESCO World Heritage castle on a dramatic coastal outcrop, around an hour’s drive south.
- Denbigh Castle: A 13th-century castle with a distinctive triple-towered gatehouse, around 35 minutes’ drive away.
- Rhuddlan Castle: A 13th-century Edwardian castle beside the River Clwyd, around 20 minutes’ drive away.
More Welsh castles
Other Welsh castle guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What to expect when visiting Pembroke Castle.
- Plan your visit to Chepstow Castle in Monmouthshire.
- Getting the most out of Caerphilly Castle – the second biggest castle in Britain.
- Key information for visiting Monmouth Castle in South Wales.
- What to expect at Raglan Castle in Monmouthshire.
