Castell y Bere
Castell y Bere - 13 Miles
The closest castle to the Trefeddian, Castell y Bere is a must visit fortress.
It may be remote, however, it is a magnet for all castle lovers. Strung along a jagged rocky outcrop in the Dysynni Valley at the foot of Cader Idris, Castell y Bere is especially good at evoking the spirit and atmosphere of Wales’s native castles. Built by Welsh ruler, Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great), to protect Gwynedd’s southern frontier, construction began in 1221 with the castle remaining in use until 1294.
Though much of Castell y Bere’s strength can be attributed to its commanding location, its design is a testament to the ingenuity of its Welsh architects. The sophisticated entrance - featuring two gatehouses with drawbridges and possibly portcullises - was extremely advanced for its time, even by the standards of English fortifications.
What to see and do
For those with an abundance of energy, a walk to the summit of Bird Rock is a must whilst you are in this delightful valley. The rock is so called because it has a large number of cormorants and other birds nesting on it. The views from the top give a panorama of the whole Dysynni Valley to the sea. You may see the cormorants that nest here - it is one of the few inland sites for this sea bird, going back to the time when the valley was covered by sea and salt marsh.
