Wonderful castles to explore in Wales

Wales is one of the world's greatest countries for castles of architectural splendour. Learn about the Welsh nation through the fortresses that defined its unique history, culture and language... from defensive beginnings, to Tudor banqueting and Victorian decadence.

CAERNARFON CASTLE

Caernarfon Castle

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Edward I wasn’t messing around when he built this polygonal 13thcentury castle on a former Roman fort. Part of the coastal World Heritage Site, the mighty Caernarfon Castle remains one of the most visually arresting sights you’ll ever see. Exhibition rooms also feature this landmark to stir the senses.

Did you know? The castles of Caernarfon, Conwy, Harlech and Beaumaris form the UNESCO World Heritage Site of ‘The castles and town walls of Edward 1st in Gwynedd’. They are jointly described as the most important examples of medieval architecture in Europe and the zenith of English castle building.

DOLBADARN CASTLE

Dolbadarn Castle

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Built by the native Welsh Prince Llewelyn ap Iorwerth (or Llewelyn the Great), Dolbadarn Castle was the Welsh seat of power in the ancient Kingdom of Gwynedd and guarded the most important pass through the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia). It stands in spectacular surroundings below Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) and gives context to the power and wealth of the Welsh underdogs compared to that of England, who eventually conquered Wales in the late 1200s.

LAUGHARNE CASTLE

Laugharne Castle

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The magnificent medieval Laugharne Castle is forever associated with Dylan Thomas, who escaped writer’s block at the 12th-century ruins. Discover his inspiration within the Victorian ornamental gardens, and relax near the Dylan Thomas Boathouse and Shed, where poetry was once in motion.

POWIS CASTLE AND GARDEN

Powis Castle

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Powis Castle has a rich history, although it’s the gardens – famed for their French and Italian styles, adorned with plants and an orangery – that single it out, and that’s before you spot the medieval deer park. The perfect place to relax before heading inside to see decadent galleries and staircases aplenty.

CAERPHILLY CASTLE

Caerphilly Castle

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The largest castle in Wales, and the second largest in Britain, Caerphilly Castle was locked within water defences when it was built by the English during the 13th century. The outside is the place, among an array of delights, to see four siege engines, and the inside has a hallowed, majestic feel.

CONWY CASTLE

Conway Castle

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Perched on a rock against the backdrop of Snowdonia, Conwy Castle has an indisputably magical feel. Some consider it the finest castle Edward I built, and the mesmerising views from the battlements are particularly famed within the walled town. Great halls, private chapels and royal chambers wind through this medieval marvel.

HARLECH CASTLE

Harlech Castle

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Harlech was built by the command of conquering King Edward I. Ambitious and expensive, this castle was built to demonstrate this English king's power over Wales. Among the finest surviving medieval fortifications in Britain, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site Harlech Castle is accessed via an equally dramatic ‘floating' bridge, enabling visitors to enter the castle through its original entrance for the first time in 600 years.

RAGLAN CASTLE

Raglan Castle

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Raglan Castle's striking round towers make this fortress a singular classic, and there’s every chance you’ll be enraptured from the moment you see the astonishing gatehouse that once denied Oliver Cromwell at the end of the Civil War. Surrounded by fields, the romantic ruins even make space for a bowling green.

WORDS | SAMANTHA RUTHERFORD

Find out more

Michael Davies, Travel Design Manager.

With Conwy Castle named by Condé Nast as one of the most beautiful in Europe, the medieval fortresses are a defining image of Welsh landscape and history. From Snowdonia to the South Wales Valleys , the castles serve as evocative symbols of ancient wars that were fought across this now harmonious country. Ask how Dream Escape can incorporate castles into your itinerary, be it a day trip into Wales or a weeklong tour.”

⬥ michael@dreamescape.co.uk

WORDS | SAMANTHA RUTHERFORD