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Principal area · Wales

Conwy

From seaside places along the Irish Sea to villages in the Conwy Valley and open moorland in the Hiraethog Hills, Conwy spans a varied landscape in North Wales.

Quick facts

Type of place
Principal area
Nation
Wales
Official identifier
gss:W06000003

Overview

Conwy is a principal area in Wales, distinct from its historic walled town. The modern county brings together a diverse collection of coastal communities, valley settlements and upland terrain.

Conwy is a principal area in Wales.

Population and demographics

Land area
1,125.82 km²

Figures for . ONS EW MYE25 workbook geography: Notes April 2024; landing edition 2023 boundaries.

Office for National Statistics · ons-mid-2025 · MYE5!D346 (binary spreadsheet decimal rounded to 6 dp). Released 29 July 2026.

Open Government Licence v3.0 · Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0

Population
114,421 people

Figures for . ONS EW MYE25 workbook geography: Notes April 2024; landing edition 2023 boundaries.

Office for National Statistics · ons-mid-2025 · MYE2 - Persons!D346. Released 29 July 2026.

Open Government Licence v3.0 · Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0

Population density: 101.6 people per km²

Calculated from the population and land area for 30 June 2025, using figures from the same release and covering the same boundaries.

Coastline and Seaside Resorts

The northern edge of the county meets the Irish Sea, where the Wales Coast Path links beaches, promenades, and headlands. Llandudno is known for its Victorian character, and the Great Orme offers views across Llandudno Bay. Other seaside places along the coast include Colwyn Bay and its beach, Rhos-on-Sea, Penmaenmawr, Llanfairfechan, Kinmel Bay, and Abergele.

The Conwy Valley and Uplands

Inland from the historic settlements of Conwy and Deganwy, the landscape includes Llanrwst and other villages in the Conwy Valley. Betws-y-Coed is a mountain resort at the gateway to Eryri, also known as Snowdonia. Swallow Falls is located on the River Llugwy, with woodland paths nearby. Away from the valley floors, the terrain rises into upland areas. The Hiraethog Hills are characterised by open moorland, while Alwen Forest provides woodland trails.

The Medieval Fortification of Conwy Town

Within this wider county sits the historic town of Conwy. Between 1283 and 1287, Conwy Castle and its town walls were built under King Edward I and Master James of St George. The fortress features eight towers and surviving medieval royal apartments, and overlooks the harbour and town streets. Enclosed by a 1.3 km circuit of town walls, the site forms part of a World Heritage Site alongside Edwardian castles in Beaumaris, Harlech, and Caernarfon.

Sources

  1. Towns and villages in Conwy County — Visit Conwy. Conwy County includes several coastal settlements, not only Conwy town. (Discover Conwy County: Coast, Countryside and Mountains). Accessed 2026-09-29.
  2. Coast and countryside — Visit Conwy. The Wales Coast Path passes through Conwy County, joining beaches, promenades and headlands along the Irish Sea. (Coastline; Wales Coast Path; Inland landscape). Accessed 2026-09-29.
  3. Castell Conwy — Cadw. Cadw dates the construction of Conwy Castle and its town walls to 1283–1287, under King Edward I and Master James of St George. (Castle and town walls overview). Accessed 2026-09-29.

  4. ONS local authority districts December 2025

    Office for National Statistics · lad-december-2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0 Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2025.