Dramatic site of Gwynedd’s last stand.
Even on a bright morning, when the rising sun shines down the Llanberis Pass upon it, Castell Dolbadarn has a serious, almost forbidding presence. It occupies a rocky hillock between two lakes – Llyn Peris and Llyn Padarn – right at the foot of Snowdon.
The 15-metre high cylindrical keep, with its dark grey slate and gaping windows, has stood since Llywelyn the Great built it in the early 13th century. However, there may well have been a fortress on this strategic site as early as the 6th century. The castle commands the Llanberis Pass, and whoever holds it can effectively control entry into the mountainous heart of Snowdonia as well as the road towards Anglesey. The castle also stands in the heart of the rich summer grazing lands that fattened the great herds of cattle so central to the economy of the princes.
The tower is rather shorter than it was in its heyday, when there was an extra storey – thought to have been used by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd as a prison for his brother Owain, after he had defeated him in a battle for control of Gwynedd. The magnificent views from the keep were, one suspects, scant compensation for the 20 years that Owain spent locked up inside.
In 1283, after Llywelyn ap Gruffudd was killed by English soldiers, his brother Dafydd attempted to organise the final resistance to the forces of Edward I from Castell Dolbadarn. He was eventually captured, however, and put to a gruesome death – hanged, drawn and quartered – at Shrewsbury.
Records suggest that timber from Dolbadarn was used by Edward for the new castle he built at Caernarfon. A symbolic as much as a practical measure, this mercilessly demonstrated the completeness of the English victory over the princes of Gwynedd.
A sombre place to reflect on the passing of earthly power, before walking or taking the train ride up Snowdon or a boat across the lake.
Free Entry
½ mile south-east of Llanberis on A4086.
9 miles from Bangor railway station.
Mae sawl bws yn gwasanaethu Conwy. Ffoniwch Traveline Cymru ar 0871 200 2233 neu ewch ar-lein i http://www.traveline-cymru.info i gael y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am gludiant cyhoeddus.
½ mile south-east of Llanberis on A4086.
½ mile south-east of Llanberis on A4086.
Easy. Walking boots required. Dogs allowed.
Full Figure Grid Reference: NGR SH58605980 Coordinates for Garmin satnav users: -4.114238, 53.116506 OS explorer map sheet: OL17