Dolbadarn Castle, Gwynedd
Nestling in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park is the ancient and mysterious Dolbadarn Castle. It sits high above the trees overlooking Llyn Padarn, near Llanberis, Gwynedd.
In medieval times the castle was the birthplace of Llewellyn 2nd and was used by many to evade capture by the English. The walk up to the castle is like a fairytale. Over a footbridge, following the crooked path that winds its way up towards the now desolate tower that stands above the woodlands overlooking Llanberis.
Within the tower a narrow winding staircase guides you up, past the slits of windows that frame various aspects of the land below, and up to the top of the tower and breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. It's isolated splendour makes it interesting to imagine how it must have been like in medaeval times.
There are a number of stories of Welsh noblemen throughout history who either chose to hide away from English attackers at this well hidden mountain stronghold, keeping their wealth stached high up in the hills, away from the invaders, or the other stories which tell of men and women who have been imprisoned by their fellow countrymen within Dolbadarn's tower walls.
