Criccieth castle was besieged and taken by Edward I forces in 1283 and extensively refortified, which included adapting a tower for use by catapults or stone-throwing engines

Criccieth Castle, standing alone like a silent beacon to all that has gone before it, is situated on a headland between two beaches. It has become a prominent North Wales landmark and also a landmark historic site.

Criccieth has a history that stretches back in the mists of time to the medieval conflicts between Wales and England. Originally Criccieth castle was a stronghold of the native Welsh princes and was later annexed and added to by the English monarch, Edward I. Both the Welsh and English held the castle in high esteem due to its prominent location high on a rocky peninsula overlooking Tremadog Bay.

The central part of the castle (a powerful twin-towered gatehouse) was built by Llywelyn the Great probably between 1230 and 1240. The gatehouse is unique amongst Llwelyn's castles in that he may well have copied an English model. The castle was besieged and taken by Edward's forces in 1283 and extensively refortified, which included adapting a tower for use by catapults or stone-throwing 'engine'. The improvements were put to the test ten or so years later when the castle under attack and had to endure a long siege by the Welsh. During this time all of the castles supplies were ferried in by ship.

The castle's fate was finally sealed in 1404 when the Welsh leader Owain Glyn Dwr captured and burnt the castle (to this day, the walls still bear evidence of scorching) with the help of the French, who’s navy blockaded the area around the castle, thus ensuring that no supplies could reach it.

The ruins of Criccieth Castle have attracted many an artist over the centuries with the most notable being JMW Turner, who used the castle as a backdrop for his famous painting of storm-wrecked mariners.

Tourist Information

Last admission half an hour before closing.

18th March to 31st May 10.00 - 17.00 daily.

1st June to 30th September 10.00 - 18.00 daily.

1st October to 31st October 10.00 - 17.00 daily

1st November to 31st March 09.30 - 16.00 Friday & Saturday - 11.00 - 16.00 Sunday

Access:- A497 to Criccieth from Porthmadog.

Contact and Admission Information

Telephone:- +44 1766 522227

Admission Charge: - Adults £2.90, Reduced rate £2.40.

Family Ticket:- £8.20 - admits 2 adults and up to 3 children under 16 years.