Conwy Castle and a Warm Welsh Welcome in Caernarfon

From England into Wales

After another early morning, we packed up and drove from England into North Wales for a day filled with medieval history, beginning with a guided tour of Conwy Castle, one of the great fortresses built by King Edward I during his conquest of Wales. From Conwy, our journey would continue deeper into North Wales to Caernarfon, where we would spend the night directly across from another of Edward I’s impressive medieval castles. It was the perfect start to our first full day exploring the castles, history, and beautiful landscapes of Wales.

Walking the Medieval City Walls

Our guide, James, began the Conwy Castle tour in a unique way—not at the castle gates, but atop the medieval town walls. Walking along the ancient ramparts provided a wonderful perspective of the fortified town before leading us directly to Conwy Castle itself.

James explained that Conwy Castle was one of the first castles built by King Edward I during his conquest of Wales in the late 13th century. The fortress was designed not only to defend the region but also to protect the English settlers living inside the newly constructed walled town from the Welsh population, many of whom strongly opposed English rule.

It was fascinating to hear how every wall, tower, and gateway served a military purpose during a turbulent period in Welsh history.

Exploring the Fortress

Entering through what was once the main gate, James pointed out the location of the drawbridge and described the deadly “killing zone” where attackers could be trapped and attacked from above if they breached the entrance.

From there we entered the castle courtyard and the remains of the Great Hall, imagining what life must have been like when nobles, soldiers, and servants filled these now-empty stone rooms.

The highlight of the tour was climbing the castle ramparts and winding our way through several of the towers. From the top, we enjoyed spectacular panoramic views across the medieval town, the Conwy Estuary, the Irish Sea, and the rolling Welsh countryside beyond.

It is easy to understand why this location was chosen. The views allowed defenders to spot approaching enemies from miles away while today they provide visitors with some of the most beautiful scenery in North Wales.

Once the guided portion ended, we were free to continue exploring on our own. One of the final stops was the Prison Tower, where we learned about the grim conditions prisoners endured. Deep below was the pit where captives were lowered into darkness and often left to die from exposure, starvation, or neglect—a sobering reminder of how brutal medieval justice could be.

Settling into Caernarfon

After leaving Conwy, we drove to our home for the next few nights in Caernarfon. Our rental apartment was a cozy two-bedroom flat located above a row of shops and, incredibly, directly across the street from the entrance to Caernarfon Castle. We couldn’t have asked for a better location.

After settling in and enjoying a short rest, we headed out to explore the charming streets of this historic Welsh town.

Dinner at The Black Boy Inn

For dinner we chose The Black Boy Inn, one of Caernarfon’s oldest and most historic pubs.

The atmosphere was unlike any restaurant we had visited on the trip. The walls were beautifully painted with scenes from famous fairy tales and Welsh legends, while slate plaques explained the stories, their folklore, and the possible historical origins behind them.

Our server introduced himself as Merlin—a fitting name for someone who looked as though he might actually live in the nearby forests. Whether it was his real name or simply part of the inn’s character, it certainly added to the experience.

The hearty Welsh meal, the centuries-old building, and the storytelling atmosphere made for a memorable evening.

Finally Catching Up on Sleep

After dinner, we wandered back through the quiet streets to our apartment overlooking Caernarfon Castle.

After several early mornings, busy sightseeing days, and plenty of driving across England and Wales, it felt wonderful to finally slow down. We settled in for the night knowing another day of castles and Welsh history awaited us—but first, we were going to enjoy some much-needed sleep.

Final Reflections

Our Conwy Castle tour offered much more than simply exploring another medieval fortress. Walking the ancient town walls, learning about Edward I’s conquest of Wales, climbing the towering ramparts, and taking in the breathtaking views brought the castle’s history to life.

Combined with a relaxing evening in historic Caernarfon and dinner at one of Wales’ oldest inns, it was the perfect introduction to this remarkable corner of the country.