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Dolbadarn Castle

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Overview

Found close to the bottom of Llanberis Pass, Dolbadarn Castle is still standing sentinel to the route it once guarded. Although Dolbadarn was never large, it was of great importance to the Welsh princes. In the late 13th century, when Llywelyn the Last retreated to his mountain stronghold to escape from Edward I, the Llanberis Pass was the main route to the farmlands of Anglesey, from where most of Llywelyn’s supplies came. The castle’s most striking feature is the single 40-foot round tower, thought by some to be the finest surviving example. Entry was on the first floor, via a flight of wooden steps that could be pulled up inside the castle in the event of an attack. On one side of the castle lie gently undulating hills with the lake twinkling in the distance, while on the other stand the stark Snowdonia Mountains. Photo credit: © Crown copyright (2015) Cadw

Features

Opening Times
Open all year
Opening Times: Open all year, daily 10-4 (last admission 3.30). Closed 24-26 Dec & 1 Jan

Facilities
Parking onsite

Location

LLANBERIS, LL55 4UD

About the area

The county of Gwynedd is home to most of the Snowdonia National Park – including the wettest spot in Britain, an arête running up to Snowdon’s summit that receives an average annual rainfall of 4,473mm. With its mighty peaks, rivers and strong Welsh heritage (it has the highest proportion of Welsh-speakers in all of Wales), it’s always been an extremely popular place to visit and live.

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Llanberis Gwynedd Things To Do in Gwynedd

Dolbadarn Castle

LLANBERIS, LL55 4UD

03000 256000

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Dolbadarn Castle

Recommended by

Overview

Found close to the bottom of Llanberis Pass, Dolbadarn Castle is still standing sentinel to the route it once guarded. Although Dolbadarn was never large, it was of great importance to the Welsh princes. In the late 13th century, when Llywelyn the Last retreated to his mountain stronghold to escape from Edward I, the Llanberis Pass was the main route to the farmlands of Anglesey, from where most of Llywelyn’s supplies came. The castle’s most striking feature is the single 40-foot round tower, thought by some to be the finest surviving example. Entry was on the first floor, via a flight of wooden steps that could be pulled up inside the castle in the event of an attack. On one side of the castle lie gently undulating hills with the lake twinkling in the distance, while on the other stand the stark Snowdonia Mountains. Photo credit: © Crown copyright (2015) Cadw

Features

Opening Times
Open all year
Opening Times: Open all year, daily 10-4 (last admission 3.30). Closed 24-26 Dec & 1 Jan
Facilities
Parking onsite

Location

LLANBERIS, LL55 4UD

About the area

Area image

The county of Gwynedd is home to most of the Snowdonia National Park – including the wettest spot in Britain, an arête running up to Snowdon’s summit that receives an average annual rainfall of 4,473mm. With its mighty peaks, rivers and strong Welsh heritage (it has the highest proportion of Welsh-speakers in all of Wales), it’s always been an extremely popular place to visit and live.

Explore Gwynedd

Llanberis Gwynedd Things To Do in Gwynedd