 History & Heritage
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Conwy Castle
Conwy was a key fortress in Edward I's 'iron ring' of castles built
to contain the Welsh following the completion of his conquest of Gwynedd.
Built in 1283, under the supervision of Master James of St George the castle was virtually completed in 4 1/2
years. Together with the town's walls, which were built at the same time, this single defensive unit is
one of the most extensive and best preserved urban defenses in the British Isles.
The castle has an irregular shape to fit in with the rock and is divided into two separate wards
by a cross wall. There are eight mural drum towers and an inner ward at the heart of the castle which
housed the private chambers of the king.
Harlech Castle
Another of Edward I's great fortresses, Harlech was built between 1283 and 1289 and stands dramatically
on a rocky promontory between the sea and the Snowdonian mountains. It is a concentric castle whose
main inner ward is rectangular and surrounded by a curtain wall with four large drum towers.
The castle has a dominant Great Gatehouse and a lower outer curtain wall. The castle survived the 1294 rebellion
as provisions were supplied by sea but fell to Owain Glyndwr in 1404. During the War of the Roses
Harlech was the location of the longest recorded British siege, holding out against the Yorkists for seven years.
Criccieth Castle
The ruins of Criccieth Castle stand out dramatically on a high promontory overlooking Tremadog Bay.
The Welsh castle was occupied by Edward I's armies in 1283 and the 'English' castle was completed
by 1292. The castle was defended by 20 men during the 1294-5 Welsh rising but in 1404 the castle
surrendered to Owain Glyndwr and was gutted.
Penrhyn Castle
Built by Thomas Hopper for G.H. Dawkins Pennant in the early 19th century, Penrhyn is an excellent example
of Regency neo-Norman architecture. Set in idyllic gardens and wooded parklands the castle is now
maintained by the National Trust. Notable features include the hot-air heating system, the water closets,
over 1,000 early 19th century dolls and a massive carved oak bed. Penrhyn also houses an impressive
industrial railway museum.
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