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Castell Dolwyddelan

Heritage Site in Caernarfonshire

Wales

Castell Dolwyddelan

Track, Foel Gynnud A track skirts woodland and coniferous forestry on this steep hillside which still shows signs of former exploitation of slate from the mudstones of the Cwm Eigiau Formation (Ordovician, Soudleyan to Longvillian). This track is rooted in antiquity and forms an old way to the Moel Siabod quarries and the Llugwy Valley.
Track, Foel Gynnud Credit: Jonathan Wilkins

Castell Dolwyddelan is a historic Welsh castle located in the village of Dolwyddelan in Caernarfonshire, Wales. Situated on a rocky outcrop in the Snowdonia National Park, this medieval fortress is considered a significant heritage site in the region.

The castle was constructed in the early 13th century by Llywelyn the Great, a prominent ruler of Gwynedd. It was strategically built to control the Lledr Valley and to serve as a defensive stronghold against English invasions. The castle's position provides stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

The structure of Castell Dolwyddelan consists of a rectangular tower, which was the original keep, along with a curtain wall and a gatehouse. Built with local stone, the castle exhibits the typical architectural features of Welsh castles of the era. Visitors can explore the remains of the tower, which still retains some of its original features such as fireplaces and window openings.

The castle played an important role in Welsh history, witnessing several conflicts between the Welsh rulers and English forces. After Llywelyn the Great's death, the castle was captured and controlled by different factions. It fell into disrepair in the 14th century and was later restored in the 19th century.

Today, Castell Dolwyddelan is managed by Cadw, the Welsh historic environment service, and is open to the public. Visitors can enjoy the interactive exhibitions and displays that provide insights into the castle's history and its significance in Welsh heritage. The site also offers picturesque walking trails, allowing visitors to explore the beautiful surrounding landscape.

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Castell Dolwyddelan Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.0531/-3.9084 or Grid Reference SH7252. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Track, Foel Gynnud A track skirts woodland and coniferous forestry on this steep hillside which still shows signs of former exploitation of slate from the mudstones of the Cwm Eigiau Formation (Ordovician, Soudleyan to Longvillian). This track is rooted in antiquity and forms an old way to the Moel Siabod quarries and the Llugwy Valley.
Track, Foel Gynnud
A track skirts woodland and coniferous forestry on this steep hillside which still shows signs of former exploitation of slate from the mudstones of the Cwm Eigiau Formation (Ordovician, Soudleyan to Longvillian). This track is rooted in antiquity and forms an old way to the Moel Siabod quarries and the Llugwy Valley.
Footpath junction This little glade in the forest is the start of the footpath to Bryn Moel and Pont-y-pant, though a certain fortitude is required to follow its obscure route, not to mention waterproof footwear during the wetter seasons. The forestry track leads to the slopes of Moel Siabod and a good route to the Llugwy valley.
Footpath junction
This little glade in the forest is the start of the footpath to Bryn Moel and Pont-y-pant, though a certain fortitude is required to follow its obscure route, not to mention waterproof footwear during the wetter seasons. The forestry track leads to the slopes of Moel Siabod and a good route to the Llugwy valley.
Dolwyddelan Dolwyddelan (often spelled Dolyddelen in Victorian times) is a village on the main A470 road between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Betws-y-Coed in Conwy county borough. The population of Dolwyddelan was recorded as 474 in the 2011 census. (abridged from Wikipedia)
Dolwyddelan
Dolwyddelan (often spelled Dolyddelen in Victorian times) is a village on the main A470 road between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Betws-y-Coed in Conwy county borough. The population of Dolwyddelan was recorded as 474 in the 2011 census. (abridged from Wikipedia)
A470, Dolwyddelan The outline of Dolwddelan Castle can be seen through the rain and mist.
A470, Dolwyddelan
The outline of Dolwddelan Castle can be seen through the rain and mist.
A470 near Dolwyddelan Castle The castle, whose outline can just be seen through the rain and the mist, is thought to have been built in the early 13th century by Llywelyn the Great. It is Grade I listed by Cadw.
A470 near Dolwyddelan Castle
The castle, whose outline can just be seen through the rain and the mist, is thought to have been built in the early 13th century by Llywelyn the Great. It is Grade I listed by Cadw.
A470 near Pont y Coblyn The A470, also known as the Cardiff to Glan Conwy Trunk Road, is the major long-distance road in Wales, from Cardiff on the south coast to Llandudno on the north coast. It is 185 miles long, and has undergone considerable road improvement in the last two decades. While previously one had to navigate the narrow roads of Llanidloes and Dolgellau, both these market towns are now bypassed due to extensive road modernisation. The road travels through two of Wales's national parks, the Brecon Beacons in the South and Snowdonia National Park, starting just south of Dinas Mawddwy in the North. It is a primary trunk route throughout its length, and the southernmost 26 miles, from Cardiff Bay to Merthyr Tydfil, is mainly direct and good quality dual carriageway, but most of the route from north of Merthyr to Llandudno is single carriageway. <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A470" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A470">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> SABRE
A470 near Pont y Coblyn
The A470, also known as the Cardiff to Glan Conwy Trunk Road, is the major long-distance road in Wales, from Cardiff on the south coast to Llandudno on the north coast. It is 185 miles long, and has undergone considerable road improvement in the last two decades. While previously one had to navigate the narrow roads of Llanidloes and Dolgellau, both these market towns are now bypassed due to extensive road modernisation. The road travels through two of Wales's national parks, the Brecon Beacons in the South and Snowdonia National Park, starting just south of Dinas Mawddwy in the North. It is a primary trunk route throughout its length, and the southernmost 26 miles, from Cardiff Bay to Merthyr Tydfil, is mainly direct and good quality dual carriageway, but most of the route from north of Merthyr to Llandudno is single carriageway. LinkExternal link SABRE
A470 near Bertheos Uchaf The A470, also known as the Cardiff to Glan Conwy Trunk Road, is the major long-distance road in Wales, from Cardiff on the south coast to Llandudno on the north coast. It is 185 miles long, and has undergone considerable road improvement in the last two decades. While previously one had to navigate the narrow roads of Llanidloes and Dolgellau, both these market towns are now bypassed due to extensive road modernisation. The road travels through two of Wales's national parks, the Brecon Beacons in the South and Snowdonia National Park, starting just south of Dinas Mawddwy in the North. It is a primary trunk route throughout its length, and the southernmost 26 miles, from Cardiff Bay to Merthyr Tydfil, is mainly direct and good quality dual carriageway, but most of the route from north of Merthyr to Llandudno is single carriageway. <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A470" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A470">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> SABRE
A470 near Bertheos Uchaf
The A470, also known as the Cardiff to Glan Conwy Trunk Road, is the major long-distance road in Wales, from Cardiff on the south coast to Llandudno on the north coast. It is 185 miles long, and has undergone considerable road improvement in the last two decades. While previously one had to navigate the narrow roads of Llanidloes and Dolgellau, both these market towns are now bypassed due to extensive road modernisation. The road travels through two of Wales's national parks, the Brecon Beacons in the South and Snowdonia National Park, starting just south of Dinas Mawddwy in the North. It is a primary trunk route throughout its length, and the southernmost 26 miles, from Cardiff Bay to Merthyr Tydfil, is mainly direct and good quality dual carriageway, but most of the route from north of Merthyr to Llandudno is single carriageway. LinkExternal link SABRE
Track into the forest above Blaenau Dolwyddelan This is not actually a right of way, and access is not encouraged, according to signs on the gate at the road.
Track into the forest above Blaenau Dolwyddelan
This is not actually a right of way, and access is not encouraged, according to signs on the gate at the road.
Forest track above Blaenau Dolwyddelan The track through the forest leads up to the lake in the cwm below Carnedd y Cribiau.
Forest track above Blaenau Dolwyddelan
The track through the forest leads up to the lake in the cwm below Carnedd y Cribiau.
Plas Hafan Originally built around 1851 as the Garnedd Calvinistic Methodist Sunday School, and enlarged in 1886, this is now a private house.
Plas Hafan
Originally built around 1851 as the Garnedd Calvinistic Methodist Sunday School, and enlarged in 1886, this is now a private house.
Pen-y-Bont A classic Welsh farm building nestling beside the road in Blaenau Dolwyddelan.
Pen-y-Bont
A classic Welsh farm building nestling beside the road in Blaenau Dolwyddelan.
Bryn-tirion fields A view over fields to the farm and the castle dominating the skyline.
Bryn-tirion fields
A view over fields to the farm and the castle dominating the skyline.
Improvised parapet The bridge over Afon Tanycastell has lost its original parapet of concrete pipes.
Improvised parapet
The bridge over Afon Tanycastell has lost its original parapet of concrete pipes.
Rough grazing A view over damp grazing land and the tree-lined course of the Afon Tanycastell. Moel Siabod makes the distant skyline.
Rough grazing
A view over damp grazing land and the tree-lined course of the Afon Tanycastell. Moel Siabod makes the distant skyline.
Craggy outcrops Linear features in the landscape running on an east-west trend here are due to contrasting rock types on the northern limb of the Dolwyddelan Syncline. Higher ground here comprises outcrop of the hard Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation, while lower ground to the north comprises slates of the Cwm Eigiau Formation; both are of Ordovician, Caradoc age.
Craggy outcrops
Linear features in the landscape running on an east-west trend here are due to contrasting rock types on the northern limb of the Dolwyddelan Syncline. Higher ground here comprises outcrop of the hard Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation, while lower ground to the north comprises slates of the Cwm Eigiau Formation; both are of Ordovician, Caradoc age.
Bedded mudstone outcrop Rock outcrop above the side of the track comprises a series of well-bedded mudstones and silty-sandstones belonging to the Cwm Eigiau Formation (Ordovician, Caradoc age).
Bedded mudstone outcrop
Rock outcrop above the side of the track comprises a series of well-bedded mudstones and silty-sandstones belonging to the Cwm Eigiau Formation (Ordovician, Caradoc age).
Hawthorn blossom The characteristic and resilient hawthorns are decked in white blossom and make a fine sight on a bright morning. An unfortunate seasonal feature is resurgent bracken, but the calls of cuckoo and skylark are resounding across the valley.
Hawthorn blossom
The characteristic and resilient hawthorns are decked in white blossom and make a fine sight on a bright morning. An unfortunate seasonal feature is resurgent bracken, but the calls of cuckoo and skylark are resounding across the valley.
Dry crags Grass on the shallow soil over rock outcrop has been browned by the persistent drought, but the view towards Blaenau Dolwyddelann is predominantly green.
Dry crags
Grass on the shallow soil over rock outcrop has been browned by the persistent drought, but the view towards Blaenau Dolwyddelann is predominantly green.
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Castell Dolwyddelan is located at Grid Ref: SH7252 (Lat: 53.0531, Lng: -3.9084)

Unitary Authority: Conwy

Police Authority: North Wales

Also known as: Dolwyddelan Castle

What 3 Words

///putter.shippers.grumbling. Near Blaenau-Ffestiniog, Gwynedd

Nearby Locations

Tomen Castell Castell Dolwyddelan Dolwyddelan Castle

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 53.0531,-3.9084
Tomen Castell
Historic: castle
Source: Bing
Source Name: OS 1:25k
Wikidata: Q13131953
Lat/Long: 53.0514993/-3.9038863
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 53.0560953/-3.903894
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 53.0559277/-3.9051493
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 53.0556907/-3.9067908
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 53.0554908/-3.9081722
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 53.05517/-3.9096957
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 53.0549201/-3.9108088
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 53.054667/-3.9119728
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 53.0544236/-3.9131316
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 53.0541785/-3.9142769
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 53.0539319/-3.9154195
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: cattle_grid
Source: Bing
Lat/Long: 53.0524749/-3.9058878
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Direction: 175
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Solar Modules: 11
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 53.0505243/-3.9079061
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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