Criccieth - Castle of the Month
Criccieth is truly a castle to capture the imagination. Crowning its own rocky headland between two beaches, it commands astonishing views over the town and across the wide sweep of Cardigan Bay.
Criccieth's history is deeply entwined in the medieval conflict between Wales and England. Originally a stronghold of the native Welsh princes, Criccieth was later annexed and added to by the English monarch, Edward I. Both sides obviously had a high regard for Criccieth's strategic sitting, on a rocky peninsula overlooking the sea.
The castle's fate was finally sealed in 1404 when the Welsh leader, Owain Glyndwr, captured and burnt it - even today, the walls still bear evidence of scorching.
Criccieth's convoluted history - part Welsh, part Edwardian - gives it a character rare amongst the castles of Wales. Its romantic ruins have attracted artists like JMW Turner, who used the castle as a backdrop for his famous painting of storm-wrecked mariners.
What to see and do
Criccieth is a beautiful seaside town known as the ‘Pearl of Wales on the Shores of Snowdonia’. Aside from strolling along the beautiful beaches on this coastline, why not take a trip to Porthmadog where you will find the Ffestiniog Railway? The journey takes you 13 miles from the harbour town of Porthmadog to the slate quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, climbing 700 feet above sea level. Into the mountains, past lakes and waterfalls, this really is a magnificent experience for all.
