Criccieth Castle in North West Wales

Criccieth Castle, standing on its headland between two beaches, is a prominent North Wales landmark. It is also a landmark historic site, one of those rare castles with a foot firmly in both camps and a true testament to the varying fortunes of war.

Criccieth's history is deeply entwined in the medieval conflict between Wales and England. Originally a stronghold of the native Welsh princes, Criccieth was later annexed and added to by the English monarch, Edward I. Both sides obviously had a high regard for Criccieth's strategic siting, on a rocky peninsula overlooking Tremadog Bay.

The core of the castle (a powerful twin-towered gatehouse) is Welsh, built by Llywelyn the Great probably between 1230 and 1240. The gatehouse is unique amongst Llwelyn's castles, he may well have copied an English model and even used expert masons familiar with the style.

The castle was taken by Edward's forces in 1283 and extensively refortified, which included adapting a tower for use by a catapult or stone-throwing 'engine'. The improvements were put to the test a decade or so later when the castle had to withstand a long siege by the Welsh, during which supplies were brought in by ship.

Its fate was finally sealed in 1404 when the Welsh leader Owain Glyn Dwr captured and burnt the castle (even today, the walls still bear evidence of scorching).

Criccieth's convoluted history, part Welsh, part Edwardian, gives it a character rare amongst the castles of Wales. Its romantic ruins have attracted artists like JMW Turner, who used the castle as a backdrop for his famous painting of storm-wrecked mariners.

Opening Hours 2010 / 2011

Last admission half an hour before closing.

27^th March to 31^st October - 10.00 - 17.00 daily

1^st November to 31^st March - 09.30 - 16.00  Friday to Saturday - 11.00 - 16.00 Sunday

Access:- A497 to Criccieth from Porthmadog.

Location Map for Criccieth Castle

Contact and Admission Information

Telephone:- +44 1766 522227

Admission Charge:- Adults £3.00, Reduced rate £2.60.

Family Ticket:- £8.60 - admits 2 adults and up to 3 children under 16 years.

Three or seven day explorer passes are available to give you free admission to the historic sites in the care of Cadw.

Cadw, Plas Carew, Unit 5/7 Cefn Coed, Park Nantgarw, Cardiff, CF15 7QQ, Wales, UK.

Telephone:- +44 1443 33 6000
Fax:- +44 1443 33 6001

Photos

Top: Criccieth Castle high up on its rocky promontory.

Middle:- On site exhibition.

Bottom:- Criccieth Castle.