Conwy Town Walls
About 1.3km for the full circuit · Rises steeply toward the Upper Gate at the western end elevation
About
The walls are the thing that makes Conwy different from every other castle town in Wales. Roughly 1.3km of curtain wall, 21 surviving towers and three gateways, raised between 1283 and 1287 in the same programme as the castle, and never breached or demolished, so the ring is still complete. Cadw manages them, entry is free, and they are open all year during daylight. You climb up by modern steps at the section entries and walk the rampart above the roofs, which is where the town's real geometry becomes obvious: the wall does not go round the town, the town was built to fit inside the wall. A short section between the Watch Tower and the Wing Gate is currently CLOSED while Cadw carries out safety work, with stronger railings and protective mesh planned; the reopening is targeted for Easter 2027, so plan the circuit as two open stretches rather than one loop. Dogs are not permitted on the wall walk because it is too narrow. There is no lighting, so it is not a night-time route.
Highlights
- ✓A complete medieval circuit, not a surviving fragment
- ✓21 towers and three gateways, all from a single 1283 to 1287 building programme
- ✓Free, open all year in daylight, and the best free view in the town
- ✓The Upper Gate stretch looking down over the roofs toward the estuary
Tips
- →A short section between the Watch Tower and the Wing Gate is closed for safety work, targeted to reopen for Easter 2027. Check Cadw's notice before you plan a full circuit.
- →No dogs on the wall walk at all: it is too narrow to pass safely.
- →Cadw's own warnings are worth taking seriously: falls from height, uneven historic stonework, steep steps, nesting birds, high winds and low headroom in places.
Best Season
Accessibility
Not step-free and not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Cadw describes modern steps to enter and exit each section, increasingly steep terrain, uneven historic stonework with handrails in places, and low ceilings in some areas. No lighting, so not advised at night or in low light.
Last verified 2026-08-17
