From medieval grit to Victorian fantasy.
Perched on a crag above the Lledr Valley, with the dark and rocky mountain of Moel Siabod looming behind, Castell Dolwyddelan seems a perfect example of a ruined medieval castle. The tall, rectangular keep with its battlements, the elegantly crumbled western tower, the magnificent rugged surroundings: they look almost too good to be true. And in fact the castle’s appearance does owe a certain amount to the wealth and imagination of its Victorian restorer, Lord Willoughby de Eresby. The distinctive battlements that crown the keep, for instance, are entirely his work.
Dolwyddelan has traditionally been held as the birthplace of Llywelyn the Great. In fact Llywelyn probably built it sometime between 1210 and 1240. Like the similarly impressive Castell Dolbadarn in Llanberis, Castell y Bere near Towyn and Dinas Emrys near Beddgelert, Dolwyddelan occupies an important strategic spot. It controlled the north–south road through Snowdonia, connecting Conwy and Harlech and, just as importantly, protected the royal pasturelands.
Castell Dolwyddelan was eventually captured by the troops of Edward I in 1283, and for a short time they maintained it as a stronghold. The king concentrated his defences on the coast, however, and the castle gradually fell into disuse.
It is well worth walking up the crag to the keep – note how the building seems almost to grow out of the rock on which it stands. Once you have climbed up to those fanciful battlements, you can enjoy the wonderful panorama of the Lledr Valley. Then turn round to take in the view of the slopes of Moel Siabod, where the great herds of cattle that provided the princes of Gwynedd with so much of their wealth once chewed the cud.
Across the main road, on the valley floor, you can see a rocky, tree-covered outcrop with a ruined farm building at the bottom. This is Tomen Castell, which has the ruins of a medieval castle on its summit – and is probably the true birthplace of Llywelyn the Great.
The perfect site for a picnic before, or after, embarking upon one of the walks around the beautiful Lledr Valley.
Just over 1 mile west of the village of Dolwyddelan on the A470.
Just over 1 mile from Dolwyddelan railway station.
No suitable service.
Just over 1 mile west of the village of Dolwyddelan on the A470.
Just over 1 mile west of the village of Dolwyddelan on the A470.
Medium. Walking boots required. No dogs allowed.
Full Figure Grid Reference: NGR SH72195233 Coordinates for Garmin satnav users: -3.909517, 53.053158 OS explorer map sheet: O17