Last week I realised that it was exactly a year ago that I completed my Welsh Castle Quest, and I’ve been looking back through that epic journey and all the adventure and discovery it entailed. After the Quest, we stayed on in Wales for a week’s break and, inevitably in this ‘land of castles’, we found a few more. But those we visited during our wind-down week were no great English fortresses born of Edward I’s Welsh Wars, but more modest castles built by the earlier, native princes of Wales. One in particular jumped out from my trawl through the photos for several reasons: it’s in a spectacular setting, it had a walk-on part in the Welsh Wars and it was built by one of greatest Welsh rulers of the middle ages.
This was the first day of our post-Quest holiday, and we’d actually set out to explore the magnificent mountains. But as we drove through Snowdonia on the A470, I caught sight of a handsome tower in such a commanding position I just had to investigate. Pulling into a car park, we realised that we’d stumbled across Dolwyddelan, one of the most impressive Welsh castles built by the native princes. The castle sits proudly in its rock-cut ditch atop a high ridge, and access to it entails a climb up the hill on foot, so realising that we’d already spent two weeks on a castle quest I gallantly offered to forego a visit and press on into the mountains. Luckily though, everyone felt this intriguing edifice was too good an opportunity to miss, so we set off.
For the rest of the story see The Little Welsh Castle of a Great Welsh Prince by Alli Templeton
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Categories: History, medieval history, Photography, reblog
I only remember one Welsh castle, that of Llandudno…
Leslie
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I remember the coal towns more than the castles.
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We were lucky enough to meet a good friend of the owner of Laugharne Castle, and although it was in ruins, he took us up to the top battlements. The stairways were connected to the outer walls and although the floors had fallen in, the stairs were still solid. There was still a part of the castle that he was living in. I wonder if it was ever completely restored? We also went to the wake of “Chips” the little boy in Under Milk Wood who ran deliveries from his dad’s fish and chips van which was a recycled hearse! And we visited Dylan Thomas’s boat house where he wrote.. Exciting trip. I loved Wales.
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I loved Wales too. I spent a few weeks just driving around there. Sleeping in a van, climbing around stony outcrops and castles. But I also loved Ireland. I liked London, but it was really hard to navigate and crowded! I think Ireland was my favorite. Garry loved Scotland, even though he never knew what anyone was saying.
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I liked Scotland as well. I’ve never been to Ireland.
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Life, you would LOVE Ireland. beautiful countryside. Watch out for the sheep.
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The main place I regret not seeing is Ireland..
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It’s not too late. You never know. It’s great in early autumn. Cool and oh so incredibly green.
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Perhaps.. if this pandemic finishes before I’m too old to travel.
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