Dolwyddelan Castle at Dolwyddelan Castle (Cadw)CastleA visit to this solitary sentinel is worth it for the views alone. Castles and mountains. Dolwyddelan and Snowdonia. Made for each other. Improving on nature’s handiwork is easier said than done but this beauty blends beautifully with its craggy home. A blot it is not. Thank the Prince of Gwynedd in north Wales and de facto ruler of most of Wales, Llywelyn Fawr (Llywelyn the Great).
Llywelyn (1173 - 1240), knew his square mile like nobody else. Dolwyddelan, along with nearby Dolbadarn and Prysor, formed a collection of strategically important mountain fortresses for the Welsh ruler. After his day, his grandson Llywelyn ap Gruffudd took over the castle. He kept Edward’s forces at bay for a while.
The magnificent keep was later supplemented by Llywelyn with a stone curtain wall enclosing the courtyard. The English went on to refortify the castle and add another rectangular tower. It didn’t fare as well as the original. Maybe there is justice after all as it now lies in ruins.
With a little restorative help from the Victorians, this 13th-century fortress is now a masterpiece.DolwyddelanConwyUnited Kingdomhttp://www.showmewales.co.uk/?dms=3&pid=
Dolwyddelan Castle at Dolwyddelan Castle (Cadw)
Castle, £2.40-£4
Dolwyddelan Castle
Details
Dolwyddelan, a mountain stronghold of the Welsh Princes, stands in a magnificent location deep in Snowdonia. It was built between about 1210 and 1240 by Llywelyn the Great to control a strategic pass through his mountainous kingdom.
Opening Details
Open all the time
1 April - 30 September 2018 Monday - Saturday 10.00am - 5.00pm, Sunday 11.30am - 4.00pm. 1 October 2018 - 31 March 2019 Monday - Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm, Sunday 11.30am - 4.00pm. Closed 24, 25, 26 Dec & 1 Jan. Last admission 30 minutes before closing.
Prices
Prices valid until March 2019 Adult - £4.00 Family (2 adults and up to 3 children under 16) - £11.60 Seniors £3.20 Students and children under 16 - £2.40 Children under 5 - Free
Map reference: SH 721523 Lat: 53.05298 Long: -3.90847
Travelling north-east on the A470 from Blaenau Ffestiniog towards Betws-y-Coed, pass a left turn signed Roman Bridge railway station and after a mile, car park for the Castle on left.
Parking: free
Accessible by Public Transport: 1.3 miles from Dolwyddelan station
Dolwyddelan Castle at Dolwyddelan Castle (Cadw)
Dolwyddelan Castle at Dolwyddelan Castle (Cadw)
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Plan route using Google maps
Local Accommodation
Coach parties accepted
Regional Tourist Board Member
Accepts groups
Children welcome
Dogs not accepted (except guidedogs)
Smoking not allowed
