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Dolwyddelan Castle was built in the early 13th century near Dolwyddelan, a village in Wales’ Conwy County Borough. The site is open to day visitors for the price of admission and is managed by the Welsh Government. It was part of a collection of fortresses built to protect the area and was briefly occupied by the English and Welsh royalty.
Visiting Dolwyddelan Castle
Parking
There is a car park 200 metres (656.17 feet) away from the entrance to the Castle’s grounds. Visitors will have to climb a steep path to get to the castle from the visitor's centre.
Price
Adult tickets - £4
Family tickets - £11.90
Free for Cadw Pass holders
Opening
Open from April-September from 10:00am - 5:00pm. In October-March, it is open from 10:00am - 4:00pm
Know Before You Go
- Only assistance dogs are allowed on the Dolwyddelan Castle site.
- No drones are allowed on or around the site.
- Smoking is not permitted on the castle site. Visitors may be subject to heavy fines if they are found smoking.
- There is both an exhibition and a guidebook available about the castle. Enquire at the visitor’s centre for more information.
- There is no disabled parking available.
- There are no official tours of Dolwyddelan Castle. However, the keep has some information about the castle’s history and construction which visitors can read to learn more about the castle.
History of Dolwyddelan Castle
Time Line
Dolwyddelan Castle was built by Llywelyn the Great and then occupied by the English after the second Welsh War. It was then abandoned for several decades and restored to incorporate Victorian architectural elements. Today, the castle is cared for by Cadw and belongs to the state.
-1170 (Birthplace of Llywelyn the Great)
Some historians believe that Llywelyn the Great was born in Dolwyddelan Castle. However, if this is true, the original Dolwyddelan Castle would have been 200-300 metres (656.17-984.25 feet) away from the structure that stands today.
-1210-1240 (New Castle Is Built)
In 1210, Llywelyn the Great returned to his birthplace and began to construct the new version of Dolwyddelan Castle in its current location. The castle was built to control access into the Snowdonia mountain range.
The original structure consisted of the two storey keep. However, Llywelyn the Great continued adding to the castle. He cut dry ditches out of the rock and then built a stone curtain around the ridge.
-1240 (Castle Is Abandoned)
Llywelyn the Great continued making improvements to Dolwyddelan Castle until he died in 1240. For a few decades post his death, the castle was abandoned.
-1283 (Occupied by Edward I’s Forces)
In the years following Llywelyn the Great’s death, Wales went to war with England. Dafydd ap Gruffudd launched the second Welsh War of Independence in 1282 but was forced to retreat to Dolwyddelan Castle. He then fled to Castell-y-Berre, and the English forces descended upon and took over Dolwyddelan Castle in 1283.
To increase the English influence in the region, Edward I began fortifying several castles the English had taken command of. Edward I’s forces heightened the square keep and built Dolwyddelan Castle’s west tower. The English also added a postern gate.
English historical records mention that a siege engine and white military tunics were sent to Dolwyddelan Castle. These were potentially used for winter sieges in the region.
-1290 (Castle Abandoned)
In 1290, the English troops left Dolwyddelan Castle, and it was left unoccupied for a significant period.
-Late 15th Century (Minor Repairs to the Castle)
In the late 15th century, Maredudd ap Ieuan ap Robert bought the castle. He added a drainage
system to the keep and carried out minor repairs, including repairing parts of the curtain wall. He also added another storey to the Keep, raising it to a total height of 40 metres (131.23 feet).
However, the castle was soon abandoned again and fell into ruin.
-1810 (Tower Collapses)
Because the castle was abandoned, parts of it began to collapse. In 1810, one of the towers is recorded to have collapsed.
-Late 18th Century (Artistic Appeal)
In the late 18th century, Dolwyydelan castle began attracting visitors from across the United Kingdom who wanted to capture the castle on canvas. Artists have created several paintings and other artistic representations of the castle to date.
-1848-1850 (Restorations and Repairs Carried Out)
In 1848-1850, Baron Willoughby de Eresby bought Dolwyddelan Castle. He made several modifications to the structure, including medieval battlements, stone drains, and windows on the second floor. The modifications added a Victorian character to the castle and added to its artistic popularity. Following these repairs, the castle was once again abandoned.
-1930 (Given to the Ministry of Works)
In 1930, Dolwyddelan Castle was given to the Ministry of Works, a UK governmental organisation that requisitioned buildings and wartime use properties. Once the Ministry of Works made use of the castle, it was given to Cadw.
-1980 (Location for Filming)
In 1980, Dolwyddelan Castle featured in the 1981 film Dragonslayer.
Dolwyddelan Castle Occupants
- Early 13th century - late 13th century - built by Llywelyn the Great (in Welsh monarch control)
- Late 13th century - occupied by English troops until it was abandoned
- Late 15th century - bought by Maredudd ab leuan ap Robert, but abandoned after he carried out several repairs
- Mid 19th century - bought by Baron Willoughby de Eresby, who carried out modifications
- Mid 20th century - Given to the ministry of works and then passed on to Cadw
Images of Dolwyddelan Castle
Images Supplied and licensed from Shutterstock Standard Licence Package
Dolwyddelan Castle Q&A
What Kind of Castle Is Dolwyddelan Castle?
Dolwyddelan Castle is constructed with stone rubble, and grit gathered from the area surrounding the castle.
How Big Is Dolwyddelan Castle?
Dolwyddelan Castle’s keep measured 14x9.4 metres (45.9x30.8 feet) and had a court yard of 23x18 metres (75.4x59 feet).
What Was the Primary Use of Dolwyddelan Castle?
Dolwyddelan Castle was built as a Welsh stronghold for Llywelyn the Great and served as a fortress that helped protect the Conwy County Borough area. It was also used as a fortress by the English troops but then fell into ruin.
What Is Dolwyddelan Castle Used for Today?
Today, Dolwyddelan Castle is protected and maintained by Cadw. It is a tourist destination and also used as a filming location.
What Else Can You See Around Dolwyddelan Castle?
There are several other castles around Dolwyddelan Castle, including Harlech Castle and Caernarfon Castle. Visitors can also explore the nearby towns of Betws-y-Coed and Blaenau Ffestiniog or the surrounding countryside. The Lledr Valley, which the castle overlooks, is a beautiful picnicking or camping spot!
There are also several adventure sports available in the area, including biking, climbing and paragliding.
What Will You See When You Visit Dolwyddelan Castle?
While some parts of Dolwyddelan Castle have fallen into ruin over the centuries, a significant amount of the structure still stands. Visitors will be able to see:
- The keep. The square, stone keep of Dolwyddelan Castle still stands. Visitors can climb to the top of the Keep to see what remains of the castle’s curtain walls and the green valley beyond. The keep also contains a large display room which has information about the castle’s history.
- The curtain wall. Much of the curtain wall that surrounded the castle still stands.
- The West Tower. The walls of the west tower are still standing, but the insides are all broken down. There are remains of an upper room with a fireplace.
There is also a small visitor’s centre at the entrance to the castle. At the visitor’s center, visitors will find some literature about the castle’s history and structure.
Location of Dolwyddelan Castle
Dolwyddelan Castle is in North Wales’ Conwy County Borough. The location of the castle has stayed the same over the centuries.
Dolwyddelan Castle can be found at the following address:
A470, Dolwyddelan LL25 0JD
It can be accessed from Road A470(T), and can also be accessed by rail, bus and bike; visit Cadw for more information.