Conwy

Conwy (formerly anglicised as Conway) is a town in Conwy county borough, north Wales, UK, which faces the resort of Llandudno across the Conwy Estuary. The town lies in the traditional county of Caernarfonshire.

Related Topics:
Anglicised - Town - Conwy county borough - North Wales - UK - Llandudno - Conwy Estuary - Traditional county - Caernarfonshire

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Conwy is one of Europe's finest examples of a mediaeval walled town. The magnificent Conwy Castle was built by Edward I between 1283 to 1289 and, together with the castles and walls of Harlech, Caernarfon and Beaumaris, is a World Heritage Site.

Related Topics:
Walled town - Conwy Castle - Edward I - 1283 - 1289 - Harlech - Caernarfon - Beaumaris - World Heritage Site

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Conwy has other tourist attractions that help draw many visitors to the town. Thomas Telford built the Conwy Suspension Bridge, which spans the River Conwy next to the castle. It was completed in 1826 and replaced the ferry at the same point. Telford cleverly matched the bridge's supporting towers with the castle's turrets. The bridge, which is now open to pedestrians only, together with the toll-keeper's house, is in the care of the National Trust. Robert Stephenson built the famous Conwy Railway Bridge , a tubular bridge for the Chester and Holyhead Railway in 1849 and this is still in main-line use. The crossing of the Conwy river has always been a problem and today, in addition to a modern bridge serving the town, the A55 road goes under the river by tunnel.

Related Topics:
Thomas Telford - Conwy Suspension Bridge - River Conwy - 1826 - Robert Stephenson - Conwy Railway Bridge - Tubular bridge - A55

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The National Trust owns Aberconwy House, which is Conwy's only surviving 14th century merchant's house. Another fine house open to the public is Plas Mawr (great mansion) built in 1576 by the Wynne family and now in the care of CADW. The Quay House at the quayside in Conwy is often touted as Britain's smallest house, its dimensions are roughly six feet wide by eight feet high.

Related Topics:
National Trust - CADW

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Conwy is a convenient place from which to explore the mountains of Snowdonia.

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