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Their purpose, however, was much darker. They were strictly royal business, protecting the
kingdom from rabble-rousing revolutionaries. Edward had faced a couple of uprisings led by
Llywelyn ap Gruffydd so he decided to give the locals something to think about in terms of who
was boss round here. He built what has become known as the Iron Ring of castles – four
fortresses in North Wales. Beaumaris, Harlech, Conwy and Caenarfon. They were designed to
cower the querulous Welsh into submission.

This touring route will take you to two of them.

Click here for an interactive map of the area

Navigation Instructions

Route 1 on the map.

67.2 miles, about 1hr 20min driving time.

In Chester find your way to St Martin’s Way, part of the city’s ring road.

0.0 mi 53.1897, -2.8951 At the intersection of St Martin’s Way and New Crane St, the A548, s/p
“Queensberry A548”. Turn into New Crane St.

4.9 mi 53.2165, -2.9971 Take the left lane to merge on to the A494 s/p “Q’ferry A494 / Conwy
(A55)”.

3.6 mi 53.1876, -3.0627 Continue on to the North Wales Expressway, the A55.

Side trip to Bodnant Garden

If you’d like to visit Bodnant Garden, one of the great gardens
of Britain:

34.1 mi 53.2811, -3.8052 At Junction 19 take the exit on to
the A470, Conway Rd. Bodnant is 3.7 miles away.

34.9 mi 53.2802, -3.8052 At Junction 18 take the exit s/p “Conwy (A547) / Deganwy A546”.