Harlech Castle

Harlech, United Kingdom

Harlech Castle in Gwynedd, Wales, is a Grade I listed medieval fortification built onto a rocky knoll close to the Irish Sea. It was built by Edward I during his invasion of Wales between 1282 and 1289. Over the next few centuries, the castle played an important part in several wars, withstanding the siege of Madog ap Llywelyn between 1294 and 1295, but falling to Prince Owain Glyndŵr in 1404. It then became Glyndŵr's residence and military headquarters for the remainder of the uprising until being recaptured by English forces in 1409.

During the 15th century Wars of the Roses, Harlech was held by the Lancastrians for seven years, before Yorkist troops forced its surrender in 1468, a siege memorialised in the song 'Men of Harlech'. Following the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642, the castle was held by forces loyal to Charles I, holding out until 1647 when it became the last fortification to surrender to the Parliamentary armies. In the 21st century the ruined castle is managed by Cadw, the Welsh Government's historic environment service, as a tourist attraction.

UNESCO considers Harlech, with three others at Beaumaris, Conwy, Caernarfon, to be one of 'the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe', and it is classed as a World Heritage Site. The fortification is built of local stone and concentric in design, featuring a massive gatehouse that probably once provided high-status accommodation for the castle constable and visiting dignitaries. The sea originally came much closer to Harlech than in modern times, and a water-gate and a long flight of steps leads down from the castle to the former shore, which allowed the castle to be resupplied by sea during sieges. In keeping with Edward's other castles in the north of Wales, the architecture of Harlech has close links to that found in the County of Savoy during the same period, an influence probably derived from the Savoy origins of the main architect, James of Saint George.

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Founded: 1282-1289
Category: Castles and fortifications in United Kingdom

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Anita Trevelyan (7 months ago)
An awe inspiring castle in a fantastic position. Cafe wonderful with blankets provided for outdoor seating. Impressive and memorable.
joe parker (7 months ago)
An amazing castle, very well maintained. Lots of rooms to see and the upper levels are available to walk all the way around too. The views from the top are well worth seeing.
Ellen Clark (8 months ago)
Well worth a visit. Lovely drive to get there. Spectacular scenery from the wall walk and tower. Fascinating part of Welsh history. Also, a nice cafe on site. There is a car park but has limited spaces and is pay and display
Solitaire (8 months ago)
This is another great place to visit if in Wales. It's not the biggest castle in the area but one of the cheapest and also has one of the best views from the top. This is another place with a filled history for those interested in and we'll worth the visit. This is another dog friendly place.
Sammie Alcock (8 months ago)
We visited on a very wet and very windy February day. The staff at the entrance are all extremely friendly and we were greeted with smiles. The cost to get in is very reasonable. The information in the video at the start is very interesting and helps you understand and appreciate the castle more. The castle itself is beautiful, and the information boards very easy to locate and understand. We did the wall walk despite the weather, and can only imagine how beautiful the views are when it's a clear day. The cafe also serves a lovely selection of hot and cold food and drinks. Overall a lovely few hours out and a day well spent
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