Castell y Bere is a romantic Castle that appears to grow from the rock which rises dramatically from the level floor of the Dysynni Valley. From the green fields of the valley there appears to be little to show of the Castle other than piles of stones projecting between the tree tops but further investigation and a climb through the wooded hillside reveals a substantial structure ....and the views are some of the best in Wales !

In 1221 Llywelyn ap Iorwerth took back control of Meirionnydd from his son Gruffudd and began to build Castell y Bere. The D shaped towers at the North and South boundaries are easily recognisable as being in the same style as the other Castles built by Llywelyn, (also known as Llywelyn Fawr or Llewelyn the Great).

The Castle is on the southern border of Gwynedd and in the war of 1282-1283 it was besieged by the central English Army under the command of King Edward 1's Lieutenant Sir Otto de Grandison. The Castle fell in April 1283 and an English garrison took over the Castle. King Edward planned to establish an English borough close by similar to Beaumaris or Conwy. However in 1294 the Welsh, during the Madoc ap Llewelyn revolt, recaptured Castell y Bere and for this and various other reasons the borough did not flourish and soon after it seems the Castle was abandoned and the valley returned to it's former peaceful state.

Today the remains of Castell-y-Bere stand almost isolated in the Dysynni Valley with just a few farmsteads, the ancient church of St Michael's, and a small cluster of houses that make up the village of Llanfihangel-y-Pennant nearby.

Directions :   [  Map of Castell y Bere location ]

From the A487 Machynlleth to Dolgellau road take the B4405 near Minffordd, signposted Tywyn. Travel down the Talyllyn valley past the beautiful Talyllyn Lake to the village of Abergynolwyn. Turn right onto Llanegryn Street. Continue through the village, then uphill and bear left, travel down the narrow country lane into the Dysynni Valley. At T junction turn right signposted to Castell y Bere. The rocky outcrop upon which sits the castle is visible in the field on your left. Continue alongside the Castle for a short distance toward Llanfihangel-y-Pennant. Turn left before reaching the village into small car park at the side of the road.

Or:

From Tywyn take the A493 north to Fairbourne road. Take the B4405 to Abergynolwyn. Travel up the Talyllyn  valley to Abergynolwyn. Turn left onto Llanegryn Street. Continue through the village, then uphill and bear left, travel down the narrow country lane into the Dysynni Valley. At T junction turn right signposted to Castell y Bere. The rocky outcrop upon which sits the castle is visible in the field on your left. Continue alongside the Castle for a short distance toward Llanfihangel-y-Pennant. Turn left before reaching the village into small car park at the side of the road.

Facilities :

Toilets are available 300 yards from the Car Park close to St Michael's Church, Llanfihangel-y-Pennant