Wales
Anglesey and Snowdonia

Castles

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Abergwyngregyn (Bangor Castle)
In Aber, Gwynedd.
Founded by Hugh d'Avranches, Earl of Chester, in about 1090. Today, little remains beyond traces of the keep atop the motte. See map

Beaumaris Castle
On Anglesey, opposite Bangor, off A545, Tel. 0248 810361
An Edwardian (Edward I) concentric castle, begun in 1295 on a marshy plain (the name means "beautiful marsh"), to the design of James of St. George, who also worked on Harlech. The innovation here was staggered entrances between the inner and outer walls. The castle was never finished, as the Welsh threat evaporated. See map

Caernarfon Castle
In Caernarfon, Gwynedd, Tel. 0286 677617
Part castle, part royal palace. Birthplace of Edward II, later declared the first Prince of Wales by his astute father. Opulent accommodation (for the time) within two curtain walls. One of Edward's most imposing castles. Caernarfon Castle in depth. See map

Carndochan Castle
2 miles west of Llanuwchllyn, Gwynedd
A ruined medieval Welsh castle atop a rocky hill. A traditional Welsh D-shaped tower was augmented with another rounded tower and a small cluster of central buildings within the defensive perimeter. Several other castles and remains of Roman forts are nearby, attesting to the strategic importance of the location. See map

Castell Aberlleiniog
Two miles north of Beaumaris, Anglesey on private land. Norman motte surrounded by ditch, built c1088. See map

Castell-y-Bere
Abergynolwyn, near Tywyn, Gwynedd, off the B4405
Dramatically sited below Cader Idris, this triangular castle rising above the Dysynni valley was built by Llewelyn the Great in 1221, and fell to Edward I in 1283. Typical of Llewelyn, the castle has twin D-shaped towers. The atmosphere of the ruins is terrific, and the scenery alone makes Castell-y-Bere well worth a visit. See map

Castell Cynfael
Tywyn, Gwynedd
A traditional motte and bailey design, though by the Welsh, not the Norman invaders. The bailey was created by cutting a deep ditch across a high promontory, and the site commands good views over the Dysynni below. Tradition holds Cadwaladr ap Grufudd responsible for building Cynfael, sometime in the mid 1100's. See map

Castell Garn Fadrun (Carn Fadryn Castle)
Carn Fadryn, Gwynedd
This is one of the earliest Welsh stone castles, built by the sons of Owain Gwynedd in the late 12th century. The Welsh normally built timber fortifications surrounded by earthwork defenses. Here the rudimentary stone buildings are ringed by a low wall more reminiscent of Iron Age hillforts than the new Norman motte and bailey design. See map

Criccieth Castle
Criccieth, Gwynedd. Cadw.
Perched in a lovely location above Tremadog Bay, Criccieth Castle is a dramatic reminder of the conflicts between Welsh and English that helped define the medieval history of Wales. The castle was probably begun in the early 13th century, possibly by Llewelyn the Great. After Llewelyn's death, his sons quarrelled and Dafydd ap Llewelyn held his brother Grufudd prisoner at Criccieth. The castle is dominated by the massive twin towers which flank the gates.

Later, Llewelyn the great's grandson (Llewelyn the Last) added a curtain wall and a substantial rectangular tower. No sooner had Llewelyn finished his work than Edward I took the castle and strengthened the defenses further.

The mighty castle withstood a Welsh siege in 1292, but in 1404 it fell to Owain Glyndwr, who had the castle burned and the walls torn down. That was the effective end of Criccieth and it remained in ruined state until the 20th century, when it passed to Cadw. See map

Cymer Castle
Cymer, Gwynedd.
The town of Cymer is better known for its medieval abbey, but there is a more martial remain in Cymer. The motte castle was in existence by 1116, though little is known about its origins beyond the name of its builder, Uchdryd ab Edwin. The motte is now overgrown with vegetation, though there are scanty masonry remains. See map

Deudraeth Castle
Portmeiron, Gwynedd
The original Deudraeth Castle was built by Gruffydd ap Cynan beginning about 1175, making it one of the earliest Welsh castles to be built in stone. That castle is mentioned by Geraldus de Cambrensis in his "Journeys through Wales". Little of that earlier castle remained in the mid 19th century when the property was aquired by David Williams. Williams, a wealthy attorney, built a fanciful villa in mock-Gothic style on a high promontory overlooking Portmeiron village. See map

Dinas Emrys
off A498 1mile NE of Beddgelert, Gwynedd. Visitors should first contact the National Trust warden at Beddgelert.
A hillfort here was inhabited in the 5th century, and there is speculation that it may have been the residence of Vortigern. Later legends associate the place with Merlin the Magician and the Arthurian legends. In the 9th century, Nennius told the tale that two dragons fought beneath the hill of Dinas Emrys. One dragon was white, representing the Saxons, and one dragon was red, representing the Britons (Welsh Celts). In the 13th century a stone keep, possibly erected by Llewelyn ap Iorwerth was built atop the hill. See map

Dolbadarn
near Llanberis, Gwynedd, off A4086
Another Llewelyn Fawr design, sitting above Llyn Padarn lake. The walls are made of unmortared slate. See map

Dolwyddelan
In Dolwyddelan, Gwynedd, off A470.
An early 13th century Welsh castle built by Llewelyn Fawr (Llewelyn the Great) to guard the approaches to Snowdonia. Typical Welsh D-shaped keep. See map

Harlech Castle
11 m N Barmouth, Gwynedd, on A496, Tel. 0766 780552
A concentric castle begun in 1283 during Edward I's final assault on Wales. Box-like structure atop a rocky hill. Captured by Owain Glyndwr, and much later by Parliamentary troops during the Civil War. Remarkably well preserved, it is hard to imagine that this grim grey castle was painted bright white when it was built. See map

Penrhyn Castle
1 m E Bangor, Gwynedd, on A5122, National Trust, open April-end October, daily except Tues., 12-5 (from 11 in July and August),Tel. 0248 353084
Romantic (fake) castle built between 1820-1840. The Norman Gothic theme is carried to the interior, which takes a bit of getting used to. Marvellous plasterwork, some of it painted to resemble wood and stone. See map

Tomen y Bala
Bala, Gwynedd Remains of a 30 feet high motte and bailey dating to the late 11th or early 12th century. See map

Tomen-y-Mur
Minor road off A470, three miles north of village of Trawsfynydd. A conical motte on the site of a former Roman fort is all that surivives of the castle that is part of a Welsh legend. There are outstanding views over surrounding countryside. See map

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Photo Credits - Penrhyn Castle, Harlech Castle, Dolbadarn Castle, courtesy of Wales Tourist Board, Criccieth Castle courtesy of Cadw, all other photographs © Barbara Ballard