Plas Mawr
Britain’s finest town house of the golden Elizabethan age
Never was a building better named. Plas Mawr, or the Great Hall, is quite simply the finest surviving Elizabethan town house anywhere in Britain.
This was a golden age when fabulously wealthy merchants invested in mansions, rich fittings and lavish entertaining. Robert Wynn, third son of a local landowner, wanted a piece of the action.
He entered the service of Tudor diplomats and travelled to the most splendid royal courts of Europe. His fortune made, he bought a mansion house in Conwy for £200 and between 1576 and 1585 turned it into a celebration of his life, times and wealth.
The house’s main frontage is discreetly hidden away in a steep narrow lane. So the High Street gatehouse only hints at the grandeur within, as you rise via a series of terraces to explore 17 impressive rooms.
You won’t have to look far for clues about its creator. Wynn’s initials – R.W. – can be found all over Plas Mawr’s vividly painted ornamental plasterwork.
Over the centuries it became a courthouse, a school and even an art gallery. Perhaps this continual use enabled it to remain so miraculously intact. Four years of painstaking restoration have recreated the Elizabethan garden and returned all the light-filled rooms to their original glory.
How to visit
• purchase your admission tickets on arrival (or book online)*
• view our opening times and prices below
• check Welsh Government health & safety advice before visiting.
*pre-booked tickets are non-refundable.
Gallery
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Opening times & prices
Opening times
| 1st March - 30th September | 9.30am-5pm |
|---|---|
| 1st October - 31st October | 9.30am-4pm |
| 1st November - 28th February | Closed |
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Last admission 45 minutes before closing Closed 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January Please note: during extreme weather conditions we may need to close monuments at short notice, please check our social media channels before visiting to ensure the site is open and safe to visit. Facebook @CadwWales | Twitter @cadwwales |
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Prices
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Members - Join now |
Free
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| Adult |
£9.50
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| Family* |
£30.40
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| Disabled person and companion |
Free
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| Juniors (Aged 5-17) / Students** |
£6.70
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| Seniors (Aged 65+) |
£8.80
|
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*Admits 2 adults and up to 3 children All children under 5 receive free entry. **Student photo ID card required to be shown on entry Blue Light Card holders and HM Armed Forces & Veterans receive 10% off admission (not available online). |
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Visitor information
Access guide
Please read our accessibility guidance for information on how to plan your visit.
Baby changing
Toilets available with baby changing facilities.
Pay and Display car park
The nearest pay and display car park is Vicarage Gardens in Rose Hill St.
There is limited parking on the High St for limited time.
There are no dedicated disabled parking spaces.
Disabled person access
Town centre location. There are many steps to negotiate throughout the property. Wheelchair access available to ground floor of main house only.
Portable hearing
A portable induction loop is available.
Toilets
Visitor toilets are available at this site.
Audio tour
Civil ceremony licence
The venue is available for civil wedding and civil partnership ceremonies for a maximum of 40 guests.
Digital trail
Join Dorothy Wynn for a virtual guided tour around Plas Mawr – Britain’s finest town house of the golden Elizabethan age.
Exhibition
On-site exhibition within monument.
Garden
On-site garden.
Gift shop
Gift shop at this site offering a range of products and guidebooks.
Venue hire
This site is available to hire for events, filming and exhibitions.
Video presentation
A video presentation is available at this site.
Drone policy
Please read our policy information about flying drones at Cadw monuments: read the guidance
No smoking
Smoking is not permitted.
School visits
Book your free self-led education visit
Check our free learning resources to help with your time travel adventure!
Directions
Address
High St, Conwy LL32 8DE
For contractors, educational visits and deliveries please ring 01492 573605
Rydym yn croesawu galwadau’n Gymraeg / We welcome calls in Welsh.
Telephone 03000 252239
Email PlasMawr@gov.wales
Postcode LL32 8DE.
For further information, please contact: Traveline Cymru on 0800 464 0000 or National Rail Enquiries on 03457 48 49 50.
