There are a number of castles from the 12th and 13th centuries spread across North Wales. These date back to the time of the battles by the Welsh Princes of Gwynedd to resist the rule of King John, and more significantly, King Edward I of England. Most of the castles are in the care of Cadw, the historic environment service of the Welsh Assembly Government.
Beaumaris - at the eastern tip of Anglesey. The final part of Edward I's Ring of Steel around North Wales, provocatively located immediately across the narrow Menai Strait from Garth Celyn, the seat of the Princes of Gwynedd.
Caernarfon - planned seat of Edward I's power in Wales. Located in the town of Caernarfon
Castell y Bere - Last stronghold of the Welsh Princes, and their most impressive fortress. Stunning location in Bro Dysynni.
Chirk - Built in 1295 and a National Trust Property and is located in the Wrexham County.
Conwy - built by Edward I to control the stategically significant town and river of the same name.
Criccieth - Welsh built castle near the eastern end of the Lleyn Peninsula
Dinas Bran - atmospheric ruin on a hilltop near Llangollen
Dolbadarn - Welsh built castle situated between Llyn Peris and Llyn Padarn lakes, close to the town of Llanberis
Dolwyddelan - Welsh castle, in the village of the same name on the main A470 road between Betws-y-Coed and Blaenau Ffestiniog. Reputed birthplace of Prince Llywelyn the Great. The Disney film Dragonslayer was filmed here.
Flint - Edward I's first castle in Wales, in the far north-east close to the English border in Flintshire. Part of Shakespeare's play Richard II is set within Flint Castle.
Harlech - Another of Edward I's "ring of steel". Looks menacingly across Tremadog Bay at Criccieth Castle.
Rhuddlan - in the small town of the same name, south of Rhyl. The remains of an older Motte and Bailey castle, Twtil, can still be seen in the grounds of Rhuddlan Castle.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about North Wales
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in North Wales - updated Apr 2024
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North Wales Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
