Conwy was the original site of Aberconwy Abbey, founded by Llywelyn the Great. Edward and his troops took over the abbey site and moved the Cistercian monks down the Conwy valley to a new site at Maenan, establishing Maenan Abbey. The parish church still retains some parts of the original abbey church in the east and west walls.

Conwy Castle and the town walls were built, on the instruction of Edward I of England, between 1283 and 1289, as part of his conquest of the principality of Wales.

The church standing in the centre of Conwy has been marked as one of the oldest buildings in the town and has stood within the walls since the 14th century.
English settlers were given incentives to move to the walled garrison town, which for decades the Welsh were forbidden from entering.

People born within the town walls of Conwy are nicknamed “Jackdaws”, after the birds which live on the walls here.