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Tours > Wales > Harlech
Harlech
For outstanding views over Tremadog Bay, the Llyn Peninsular, the Snowdon and Cader Idris ranges, there is no better spot than the ramparts of mighty Harlech Castle, on its high crag overlooking the little town below with its collection of granite-built houses and narrow slate-grey streets. The castle is one of Edward I's chain of fortresses around North Wales and a world heritage site. It was constructed with no expense spared in labor and costs, on the site of an ancient Celtic fortress known as Twr Branwen, the Tower of Branwen, a princess found in the Medieval Welsh tales called the Mabinogion. Just outside the impressive gate house, on a small plateau overlooking the lower town stands a statue commemorating the sad story of Bendigeidfran, another heroine from the Mabingogion.
The Castle was begun in 1283, modelled by Master James of St. George on Kruk des Chevaliers, a stronghold built by the Crusaders in the MIddle East. At the time of its construction, the sea came right up to the base of the 200-ft high rock, and with its magnificent gate-house and huge, forbidding walls, it must have seemed impregnable. It successfully resisted the rebellion of Madog ap Llywelyn in 1294, not long after its completion.
 Harlech was later besieged by Owain Glyndwr and finally fell after a three-year siege. Retaken by the English, the castle later saw action in the Civil Wars when it held out for eight years as a Lancastrian stronghold. The castle's courageous defiance of the attackers inspired the song March of the Men of Harlech, a second national anthem to the people of Wales. In 1647 it surrendered to the forces of Parliament, the last castle in Britain to be held for the king.
The town of Harlech also contains the residential adult education centre known as Coleg Harlech, which plays an important part in the education of many in Wales who otherwise could not afford a university education. One of Wales' most well-known golf courses, Royal St. David's has spectacular views of mountain and sea.
The town lies at the southwestern edge of the Snowdonia National Park, on the route of the coastal Cambrian Railway, south from Porthmadog and north from Barmouth. By road, Harlech can be reached from Dolgellau on the A496, and from Wrexham on the A483 to Ruabon, then the A5 to Corwen, and the A494 to Dolgellau. From Betws y Coed, take the A470 through Blaenau Ffestiniog to where it joins the A496, a spectacular journey through mountain scenery and past huge, forbidding slate quarries.
Next Stop: Porthmadoc
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