Dolwyddelan
is situated in the Lledr Valley, North Wales. It's peaceful location within
the Snowdonia National Park makes it ideal for touring Snowdonia and north
Wales. Frequented by horse riders, walkers, climbers, canoeists, mountain
bikers, and anglers. The majority of holiday accommodation is in cottages
within the village or in holiday cottages close by on the hills surrounding
Dolwyddelan, although there are two hotels and a Bunk House in the village.
Scroll down the page for a few snapshots of Dolwyddelan where you will find
plenty of things to do and places to see in Dolwyddelan, Wales.
The village of Dolwyddelan is renowned as the birthplace of Llewelyn
the Great and for it's Castle. Dolwyddelan
Castle stands impressively on a rocky ridge commanding the Lledr Valley,
one of the principal passes through Snowdonia. Believed to have been built
between c.1210 and 1240, under the command of Prince
Llywelyn the Great of Gwynedd, It was built to guard the road into the
core of his kingdom to watch over his vital upland cattle-pastures. Defended
by rock-cut ditches and a steep drop, the castle is dominated by a rectangular
keep-tower, later heightened to three storeys. The strategically-sited castle
became a prime target for English attack during Edward I's conquest of Wales.
On the very day of its capture in January 1283 the kings masons began strengthening
it, probably adding its second tower. The Welsh built fortress thus became
a link in Edwards famous chain of strongholds around Gwynedd. After re-occupation
by the 15th century as a refuge against unruly neighbours, the castle fell
into decay. With their stunning backdrop of wild Snowdonia mountains, the
picturesque ruins later proved a magnet for Georgian romantic landscape-painters
and tourists. Victorian reconstruction restored the keep to something like
it's former grandeur and today Dolwyddelan remains a lasting memorial to
the great Llewelyn's strategic achievements and more importantly to the
skills of the men who actually built it.
At www.walesdirectory.co.uk you are able to find the top attractions in
Wales and then make an instant online room reservation close to the attraction.
