Scheduled MonumentsWalesCastell Dolwyddelan
Medieval · Castle

Castell Dolwyddelan

Conwy, Wales
Cadw SAM CN040
Period
Medieval
Site type
Castle
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Castell Dolwyddelan is a thirteenth-century Welsh castle situated in the Conwy valley, Gwynedd, North Wales. Built during the reign of Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great), the castle served as a stronghold controlling the upper Conwy valley and represents an important example of native Welsh medieval military architecture. The castle comprises two round towers connected by a curtain wall, positioned on a rocky outcrop that afforded strategic defensive advantages. The site retains substantial medieval masonry and has been subject to archaeological investigation and conservation by Cadw, the Welsh heritage monuments authority.

Castell Dolwyddelan is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference CN040. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Castell Dolwyddelan?

Castell Dolwyddelan is a thirteenth-century Welsh castle situated in the Conwy valley, Gwynedd, North Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference CN040.

What period does Castell Dolwyddelan date from?

Castell Dolwyddelan dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a castle. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Castell Dolwyddelan?

Castell Dolwyddelan is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is CN040.

What other scheduled monuments are near Castell Dolwyddelan?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Rhiwbach Quarry, Tramway and Incline System (5.7 km), Diffwys Quarry (6.4 km), Oakeley Quarry Tips (6.5 km).

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