Harlech Castle

Spectacularly sited Harlech Castle seems to grow naturally from the rock on which it is perched. Like an all seeing sentinel, it gazes out across land and sea, keeping a watchful eye over Snowdonia. Very grand and bound to perk up the kids' imaginations, especially when you tell them it only cost £8k new... That was a while ago though!

The English monarch Edward I built Harlech in the late 13th century to fulfil this very role. It was one of the most formidable of his 'iron ring' of fortresses designed to contain the Welsh in their mountain fastness. There is a 200 foot long stairway which still leads from the castle down to the cliff base: a secret escape route!