Conwy Castle is steeped in the history of the country, playing a role in key moments throughout the centuries. Our own Aberconwy Resort & Spa is a short drive or just a 20 minute walk to the beautiful Conwy Castle. This 5 star holiday home owners’ exclusive destination is located on the Conwy Morfa beach and boasts a breath-taking backdrop of the Snowdonia Mountain Range. Our owners love being so close to the castle and enjoy learning all about the heritage of the local area.
the history of conwy castle
Built for King Edward’s ‘Iron Ring’ of castles in North Wales the castle was constructed between 1283 and 1289. Conwy Castle has played an important role in several wars over the centuries, including being a temporary haven for Richard II in 1399 and it was also held by forces loyal to Owain Glyndwr in 1401. The castle played a part in the English Civil War, being held by King Charles I loyalists from 1642 to 1646. After the war, the castle was particularly disliked by Parliament and as such, was sent into ruin to prevent any revolt happening, with its lead and iron being stripped and sold off.
Conwy Castle really is one of the most spectacular surviving Medieval fortresses in Britain, and it also has the largest sum of money spent on any of King Edward I’s castles, totalling up to £15,000. When you’re strolling through the beautiful castle, you’ll notice the 2 fortified gateways, a large bow-shaped Great Hall and 8 imposing towers, you’ll realise it was money well spent. Conwy Castle doesn’t have the ‘walls within walls’ defensive design which was characteristic of King Edward, this is because it is located on a rock base, which provides the natural security it needed.
The castle has been a popular visitor attraction for centuries, after suffering in ruin for years painters began to visit and it quickly became an infamous beauty spot for painters and tourists alike. Due to visitor numbers increasing in the 19th Century, restoration work on the castle was undertaken, creating the stunning castle you see today. The castle is so well preserved if it easy to see how life would have been lived back in Medieval times, with the Great Hall, chambers and kitchen all preserved in the outer ward, as well as private chambers and a Royal Chapel in the inner ward waiting to be explored. The most outstanding views come from atop the towers, where you can see across the mountains and marina.
Conwy Castle was declared as a World Heritage Site in 1986, with UNESCO stating it is “one of the finest examples of later 13th and early 14th Century military architecture”. Visiting this piece of history along the North Wales coast means taking a step back in time to see how people lived in Medieval Wales.
Aberconwy Resort & Spa is only a short distance away from the historic Conwy Castle, making this owners exclusive destination the ideal base to explore all the area’s historic attractions.
Becoming an owner at Aberconwy Resort & Spa means being able to take full advantage of the onsite 5 star facilities, including the indoor tropically heated swimming pool, sauna and steam room, as well as the state of the art Langley’s Country Club gym, with a fabulous new HIIT room. Or relax with a luxurious Aromatherapy Associates treatment at the Aberconwy Spa, before having a refresh with a new look from Mali’s Hair Salon. Dine out in style at the multi-award winning Signatures Restaurant, which recently received the Best Restaurant in Wales 2017 Award.
To learn more about ownership at Aberconwy Resort & Spa, call our dedicated Ownership Team on 01745 858010 or talk to an advisor via our Live Chat service today.