Chester to Wales – Britain

DAY 7 – Leaving Chester, we crossed into North Wales and had a brief stop in Conwy to have a glimpse of its massive castle.  Conwy is Conwy Castlea medieval walled town. Conwy Castle was built by Edward I in the 13th century as one of the key fortresses in his ‘iron ring’ of castles to contain the Welsh.  The walls form an almost unbroken shield around the old town and the Castle guards one of the best-preserved medieval fortified towns in Britain.  The well-preserved town walls were fortified with 21 towers and three gateways. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we did not get to climb the castle walls.

 Conwy townConwy is said to be one of Britain’s most underrated historic towns, although in our short walk down the main street, we observed a rather sleepy feel about the place.  Ironically, whilst the walls were built to keep out the masses, the hoards of invading tourists today are very much welcomed in Conwy.

Apart from the Castle the other dominant landmark of Conwy is the Suspension Bridge.  Thomas Telford, a Scottish engineer, was responsible for many of Britain’s roads, bridges and canals. Completed in 1826, it was designed in a castellated style to blend with the Castle.  Telford matched the bridge’s supporting towers with the Telford Bridgecastle’s turrets, a style similar to one of his other famous bridges, the Menai Suspension Bridge.

Walking across the bridge, it was amazing to note how solid the structure is.  Before the contruction of this bridge, ferry was the only means of cross the estuary.

Helen

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