About
Criccieth Castle occupies one of the most dramatic coastal settings of any fortress in Wales, crowning a rocky headland that juts into the waters of Tremadog Bay on the Llyn Peninsula. This remarkable castle tells a uniquely layered story, having been built first by Welsh princes and later captured and expanded by the English crown, embodying in its stonework the turbulent struggle for control of medieval Wales.
The castle was originally constructed in the 1230s by Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, known as Llywelyn the Great, the most powerful of the native Welsh princes. Llywelyn chose this commanding headland for its natural defensive strength, with sheer cliffs falling away to the sea on three sides. The inner ward, with its distinctive twin-towered gatehouse, dates from this Welsh phase of construction and represents one of the finest examples of native Welsh castle-building. The gatehouse, though modest compared to later English examples, demonstrates that the Welsh princes were capable builders of stone fortifications in their own right.
Following Edward I's conquest of Gwynedd in 1283, the castle was seized by the English crown and substantially enlarged. Edward's builders added the outer ward, additional towers, and strengthened the defences, transforming a Welsh princely stronghold into an English royal castle. This dual heritage makes Criccieth architecturally fascinating, as visitors can observe the contrasting building styles of Welsh and English medieval masons within a single site.
The castle's dramatic end came in 1404 during the great Welsh revolt led by Owain Glyndwr, when his forces besieged and captured the fortress before setting it ablaze. The fire damage is still visible in the reddened stonework of the towers, a vivid physical reminder of the last major Welsh uprising against English rule. After its destruction, the castle was never repaired or reoccupied.
Managed by Cadw, Criccieth Castle today offers visitors an unforgettable combination of medieval history and spectacular coastal scenery, with views stretching from Harlech to the mountains of Snowdonia.
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Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
💡 Visitor Tips
- Visit on a clear day for spectacular views across Tremadog Bay to Harlech Castle and Snowdonia
- Wear sturdy footwear — the path up the headland is steep and can be slippery in wet weather
- Don't miss the small exhibition inside the gatehouse which brings the castle's story to life
- Look for the reddened stonework on the Engine Tower — evidence of Glyndwr's devastating fire of 1404
- The castle is best photographed from the beach below or from the town's Green at sunset
- Combine with Harlech Castle (10 miles south) for a memorable day of Welsh castle exploration
- Criccieth railway station on the Cambrian Coast Line makes this an easy car-free visit
- Allow time to explore the charming seaside town with its cafes and famous ice cream
Highlights
Twin-Towered Welsh Gatehouse
The inner gatehouse at Criccieth is one of the most important surviving examples of native Welsh castle architecture. Built by Llywelyn the Great in the 1230s, its twin D-shaped towers flanking the entrance passage demonstrate that Welsh princes were skilled builders of stone fortifications. Although more compact than later English gatehouses, this structure was a formidable defensive barrier, controlling access to the inner ward through a narrow passage equipped with a portcullis and murder holes.
It remains the most prominent feature of the castle skyline visible from the town below.
Dramatic Headland Setting
Criccieth Castle's position on a rocky promontory jutting into Tremadog Bay is among the most spectacular of any castle in Wales. Sheer cliffs fall away to the sea on three sides, providing natural defences that made the headland an ideal fortress site. The setting offers breathtaking panoramic views: westward along the Llyn Peninsula, south across the bay to Harlech Castle, and north-east to the mountains of Snowdonia and Yr Wyddfa.
At sunset, the castle silhouette against the sky over the bay is one of the iconic images of the Welsh coast.
Welsh and English Building Phases
What makes Criccieth architecturally unique is its dual heritage as both a Welsh princely castle and an English royal fortress. The inner ward with its gatehouse was built by Llywelyn the Great in the 1230s using native Welsh construction techniques. After Edward I captured the castle in 1283, English builders added the outer ward, the Engine Tower, and additional fortifications in a markedly different style.
Visitors can observe these contrasting building methods side by side, providing a rare physical record of two distinct medieval building traditions within a single castle.
Owain Glyndwr's Siege of 1404
The dramatic end of Criccieth Castle came during the great Welsh revolt led by Owain Glyndwr. In 1404, after a prolonged siege, Glyndwr's forces captured the fortress and set it ablaze. The evidence of this catastrophic fire is still strikingly visible in the reddened and cracked stonework of the towers, particularly the Engine Tower, where intense heat permanently altered the colour of the stone.
The castle was never repaired after this destruction, making its ruins a poignant monument to the last major Welsh uprising against English rule.
Collections
Criccieth Castle features a small exhibition within the restored gatehouse that interprets the castle's history through panels, illustrations, and reconstructions. The primary collection is the castle itself, with its rare combination of Welsh princely and English royal building phases visible in the surviving stonework.
Fire-damaged masonry from Owain Glyndwr's 1404 siege provides dramatic physical evidence of medieval warfare.
Gatehouse Exhibition
Interpretive display within the restored twin-towered gatehouse covering the castle's Welsh and English phases, the 1404 siege, and the architectural significance of the site.
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.