I do love a good castle and seeing as there’s one (or the remains of) in Llanberis it’s a tragic failure on my part that I’ve not visited it yet despite coming here regularly for work. I made amends last night.
Built in the late 12th or early 13th century by Welsh prince Llywelyn the Great, Dolbadarn Castle stands on the southern end of Llyn Padarn at the base of the Llanberis pass in Gwynedd, North Wales.
Welsh princes hadn’t traditionally built fortifications such as this until the Normans advanced into Wales in the 11th century. It stands in an important location and formed part of the fortifications and defence of his territories in North Wales.
The round keep is the only surviving structure on the site now and it’s an imposing building, standing some 50 feet tall. Surrounding it would have been a courtyard and other buildings, the remains of which are still there so you get a good sense of what the site would have been like.
It’s an interesting place and one I shall explore a little more when I have time. If you find yourself in Llanberis, go check it out.
