Criccieth Castle, Gwynedd
Overlooking Tremadog Bay from an impressively commanding headland at the small town of Criccieth on the Llyn Peninsula. Criccieth castle's history is as tempestuous as the stormy seas that lash against the rocks below it.
Criccieth Castle is believed to have been built by Llewelyn the Great around 1230 - 1240 and became an important stronghold for the Welsh Princes. The original part of the castle - the powerful twin towered gatehouse - was built on this excellent vantage point to overlook the seas of Tremadog Bay and because it is built up on a hill you can also to see for many miles inland from the castle.
But the Welsh built castle was overcome by Edward 1st forces and was taken in 1283 and re fortified and made bigger. It was held by the English against a series of Welsh attempts to re-claim it but eventually in 1404 the Welsh leader Owain Glyn Dwr finally re-captured it and burnt the fated castle.
