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Is ten miles from Bangor, and 229 from London. It is governed by an alderman and two bailiffs, is remarkably pleasant, and has a good port and river. It is surrounded by a wall; and, being on the declivity of a hill, the prospect over the river is as pleasant as can be imagined.

A magnificent castle was built here by the Earl of Chester, in the reign of William the Conqueror, and 1204, which was destroyed in the reign of King Stephen, but King Edward I ordered it to be rebuilt, and it yet remains one of the most beautiful structures in Wales. On the upper part of the walls are ten towers, and one higher than the others has four beautiful turrets. The walls in many places are from twelve to fifteen feet in breadth. The gate of the castle is lofty. The hall is a most lofty and spacious room, one hundred feet long, with breadth and height thirty feet. All the outside of the castle is still entire, except one of the towers, which fell into the sea by the rock giving way. A wood extends from the castle to the summit of the hill.

A great trade was carried on in corn formerly, but it is now decayed, though it has some considerable merchants residing in it. – The church is a handsome Gothic structure, and in the church-yard is the following remarkable inscription: “Here lieth the body of Nicholas Hooker, of Conway, Gent. who was the one-and-fortieth child of his father William Hooker, Esq. by Alice his wife, and the father of twenty-seven children. He died 20th of March, 1637.” Its weekly market is now disused. The harbour is opposite the town, where are the ruins of a castle. Fairs April 6, September 4, October 10, and November 8. Market on Friday.

Source: The Universal British Directory of Trade, Commerce, and Manufacture 1791. Volume the Fifth.