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About
Spectacular coastal castle built – and destroyed – by powerful Welsh princes
Criccieth is truly a castle to capture the imagination. Crowning its own rocky headland between two beaches it commands astonishing views over the town and across the wide sweep of Cardigan Bay.
No wonder Turner felt moved to paint it. By then it was a picturesque ruin – destroyed by one of Wales’s most powerful medieval princes, Owain Glyndwr.
But it was built by two of his illustrious predecessors. First Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great) created the immense gatehouse flanked by D-shaped stone towers. Then his grandson Llywelyn ap Gruffudd – or Llywelyn the Last – added the outer ward, curtain walls and two new towers.
Still this craggy fortress wasn’t enough to withstand the invasion of Edward I. The English king made a few improvements of his own, equipping the north tower with a stone-throwing machine to deter Welsh attacks.
It was still in English hands in 1404 when the towers were burnt red by Owain Glyndwr. Without a garrison to protect it, the town became entirely Welsh once more.
Book Tickets
Facilities
Accessibility
- Facilities for hearing impaired
Booking & Payment Details
- Credit cards accepted (no fee)
Children
- Children welcome
Parking
- Free Parking
Property Facilities
- Dogs Accepted
- Gift shop
- Public toilets
- Smoking not allowed
Site Features
- Regional Tourist Board Member
Target Markets
- Accepts groups
- Coach parties accepted
Map & Directions
Road Directions
A497 to Criccieth from Porthmadog or Pwllheli.
Accessible by Public Transport: Criccieth station is 0.4 miles away.