Dolbadarn Castle stands a lone sentinel on a rocky crag guarding the pass of Llanberis. Built by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great) in the early 13th century it stands in a spot of great strategic importance, allowing the garrison stationed there to block movement into the heart of Prince Llywelyn's rich lands on the Isle of Anglesey.

To the 21st century visitor there is little more to see than the massive round tower, although there were originally two more rectangular towers and a large hall and curtain walling of which little now remain. The tower itself, although built by the Welsh was modeled on the castles being built along the Welsh border lands by the Anglo / Norman Marcher lords. Entry was at first floor level and was protected by a portcullis, leading to a first floor room over a basement. A latrine was built into the rectangular structure stuck on the side of the tower. This was duplicated on the floor above which also contained a small bedroom tucked in behind the fireplace. The slate and stone spiral staircase, probably a later addition, is still in position and, with caution, may still be climbed. It is well worth the climb for the views of the beautiful Llanberis Pass to the south and Llyn Padarn to the north.

Llywelyn ap Iorwerth died in 1240 and by the 1250's the castle came under the control of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, or Llywelyn the Last.  Llywelyn ap Gruffudd is reputed to have imprisoned his brother, Owain ap Gruffudd, in Dolbadarn's tower for 20 years during their struggle for control of the kingdom of Gwynedd.

During this time Llywelyn's power increased but in 1277 he was defeated by the English King Edward 1 in his first campaign against the Welsh. The terms of the treaty included the release of Llywelyn's brother Owain, not as an act of mercy but rather to complicate Welsh politics.

Five years later in 1282 Edward invaded north Wales again and this time Dolbadarn Castle was under  the command of another of Llywelyn's brothers, Dafydd ap Gruffudd.

The winter of 1282 / 83 was a very bad winter for the Welsh. Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Wales, was killed in a minor skirmish near Builth Wells. Dolwyddelan Castle capitulated in January. Dafydd tried to maintain the struggle but by the spring he too was encircled and trapped. In May he wrote his final letters from Dolbadarn Castle in which he declared himself "Prince of Wales" and "Lord of Snowdon". By June he was captured and led away to execution in Shrewsbury.
Within two years the castle was abandoned and its timber used by the English for the construction of nearby Caernarfon Castle.

Dolbadarn Castle was abandoned as a military base for the Welsh and was turned into a royal manor for the English King.

But the Welsh were more tenacious than the English expected and after a wait of 100 years Dolbadarn Castle was once again to be used in the fight for Welsh independence. During the Owain Glyndŵr rebellion of the early 1400's Dolbadarn Castle's round keep tower was used to hold Glyndwr's arch enemy Reginald de Grey of Ruthyn.

Directions :  [ Map of Dolbadarn Castle location ]
From Caernarfon take the A4086 to Llanberis. Continue through the centre of Llanberis. Turn left following the signs to the Castle and Welsh Slate Museum. The Car Park is a hundred yards down the road on the left.
From the South, i.e. arriving via the Llanberis Pass. Turn right opposite the Snowdon Mountain Railway Station. The Car Park is a hundred yards down the road on the left.
Cross the road and the bridge over the river and follow the steep path through the woods. Stone steps make it unsuitable for wheelchairs and those who have difficulty walking.
Car Parking :
Pay and display parking is available off the A4086, across the road from the entrance to the castle.
TIP ! This car park is handy for visiting the Castle, Lake Padarn and country park, and also the Snowdon Mountain Railway.
Facilities :
None (when I visited the toilet block was boarded up)