A beautiful landscape containing traces of a favourite palace and the pastures of the princes of Gwynedd.
Abergwyngregyn was once the site of a favourite llys, or palace, of the princes of Gwynedd. The quiet village, with its surrounding landscape, still contains traces of this illustrious past.
Look for the tall, grass-covered mound that stands on the edge of a field in the middle of the modern village, on the south-west bank of the River Aber. This is all that remains of a motte and bailey castle, probably built by the Normans in the 11th century. The remains of the llys of the 13th-century Welsh princes are less obvious. In 1993, however, excavations in the field near the mound uncovered the foundations of a large hall, as well as pottery from the 13th and 14th centuries, and it has been suggested by historians that the palace was located here.
The beauty of Abergwyngregyn’s natural surroundings is perhaps enough to explain why it became a favourite spot for a royal court. A walk to Aber Falls, 2 miles to the south of the village, takes in some stunning scenery. This landscape was useful as well as beautiful, however, and it’s worth walking out further into the surrounding countryside to get an idea of the kinds of uses to which it was put.
In the 13th century there were at least five royal friddoedd, or pastures, here on the slopes above Abergwyngregyn. Cattle were an important commodity in medieval Wales, and Llywelyn the Great and the other princes derived much of their wealth from the royal herds. Above the village you can still see the remains of a medieval kiln in which oats and barley were dried to make cattle feed. Also visible are the foundations of the 13th-century long huts, occupied by the men who tended these herds.
Free Entry
Off the A55, 7½ miles east of Bangor.
3.3 miles from Llanfairfechan railway station.
Regular buses between Caernarfon and Llandudno stop at Abergwyngregyn. Call Traveline on 0871 200 2233 or go online at http://www.traveline-cymru.info for the latest public transport information.
6.9 miles east of Bangor, on minor roads.
6.9 miles east of Bangor, on minor roads and footpaths.
Medium. Walking boots required. Dogs allowed.