© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw
Castell Harlech is a concentric castle built by Edward I of England between 1282 and 1289 as part of his military conquest and subjugation of Wales. The castle occupies a dramatic rocky promontory on the Meirionnydd coast, approximately 200 feet above sea level, and was designed by the royal military architect James of St George with concentric fortifications comprising an inner and outer ward surrounded by high curtain walls and towers. The castle's strategic position commanded both the coastal plain and sea approaches, and its formidable defences, including a lower gatehouse and upper gate tower within the inner ward, made it one of the strongest of Edward I's Welsh castles. Harlech played significant roles during subsequent medieval conflicts, notably in the Glyndŵr Rebellion of the early fifteenth century and the Wars of the Roses, when it withstood a prolonged siege by Yorkist forces between 1468 and 1469.
Castell Harlech is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference ME044. View the official record →
Castell Harlech is a concentric castle built by Edward I of England between 1282 and 1289 as part of his military conquest and subjugation of Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference ME044.
Castell Harlech dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a castle. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.
Castell Harlech 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 ME044.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Dyffryn Ardudwy Chambered Tomb (8.5 km), Berth Ddu Hut Circles (8.6 km), Cors-y-Gedol Settlements & Field System (8.7 km).
Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in Britain — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.
Research the area around Castell Harlech