Castell Cricieth
Spectacular coastal castle built – and destroyed – by powerful Welsh princes
Cricieth is truly a castle to capture the imagination. Crowning its own rocky headland between two beaches it commands astonishing views over the town and across the wide sweep of Cardigan Bay.
No wonder Turner felt moved to paint it. By then it was a picturesque ruin – destroyed by one of Wales’s most powerful medieval princes, Owain Glyndŵr.
But it was built by two of his illustrious predecessors. First Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great) created the immense gatehouse flanked by D-shaped stone towers. Then his grandson Llywelyn ap Gruffudd – or Llywelyn the Last – added the outer ward, curtain walls and two new towers.
Still this craggy fortress wasn’t enough to withstand the invasion of Edward I. The English king made a few improvements of his own, equipping the north tower with a stone-throwing machine to deter Welsh attacks.
It was still in English hands in 1404 when the towers were burnt red by Owain Glyndŵr. Without a garrison to protect it, the town became entirely Welsh once more.
How to visit
- purchase your admission tickets on arrival or book online to save 5%*
- view our opening times and prices below
- check Welsh Government health & safety advice before visiting.
*Booking online guarantees the best price for your visit.
You can book tickets up to 24 hours in advance.
Online ticket prices include a 5% discount and are non-refundable.
Gallery
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Opening times & prices
Opening times
| 1st April - 2nd November | 10am-5pm (Closed Tue-Wed) |
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| 3rd November - 31st March | 10am-4pm (Closed Mon-Thur) |
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Last admission 30 minutes before closing Closed 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January Please note: during extreme weather conditions we may need to close monuments at short notice, please check our social media channels before visiting to ensure the site is open and safe to visit. Facebook @CadwWales | X (Twitter) @cadwwales
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Prices
| Category | Price | |
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| Members - Join now |
Free
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| Adult |
£7.90
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| Family* |
£25.30
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| Disabled person and companion |
Free
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| Juniors (Aged 5-17) / Students** |
£5.50
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| Seniors (Aged 65+) |
£7.10
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Cadw £1 ticket – for those on Universal Credit and other named benefits *Admits 2 adults and up to 3 children. All children under 5 receive free entry **Student photo ID card required to be shown on entry Blue Light Card holders and HM Armed Forces & Veterans receive 10% off individual admission (not available online). |
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Visitor information
Access guide
Please read our accessibility guidance for information on how to plan your visit.
Bikes access
Bike storage area available in car park or close to site.
Car park
On street parking available nearby. Local authority pay and display available near the beach (approx. 300 metres)
Dogs welcome
Dogs on short leads welcome to access ground floor levels of the site.
Portable hearing
A portable induction loop is available.
Toilets
Visitor toilets are available at this site.
Walking difficulty
Terrain: Level 3 — Moderate
Exhibition
On-site exhibition within monument.
Gift shop
Gift shop at this site offering a range of products and guidebooks.
Venue hire
This site is available to hire for events, filming and exhibitions.
Wi-Fi
Cadw free public WiFi available at this site.
Video presentation
A video presentation is available at this site.
Drone policy
Please read our policy information about flying drones at Cadw monuments: read the guidance
No smoking
Smoking is not permitted.
School visits
To book your free self-led education visit to this site, go to our self-led education visits section.
While you're there, check out our free learning resources to help with your time travel adventure!
Health & Safety
There is no designated parking for the castle, visitors can use the main street where there are several free parking spaces.
A larger car park can be found a few meters along the esplanade, it is roughly 400m to the castle from here.
There are various routes that offer different views of the beach below at various stages up the hill. The main route is very steep; however, use of the handrail helps with the climb.
Entrance to the castle is through the visitor centre, where you will gain access to the paths network from the rear of the shop.
Whilst at the top, please be careful of the low level stonework. It is advised due to high winds experienced at this site, that you remain within the castle boundary and refrain from stepping onto the grass banked edges. These will be slippery when wet.
Once at the castle, the rest of the route is relatively flat.
As with all ancient monuments there is always a risk of stones being dislodged in bad weather, however, we manage this through extensive monitoring.
Climbing may result in serious injury.
There are several wild plants and flowers, although these are great pollinators, they may be poisonous to visitors and animals, we strongly advise you not to touch or allow dogs to eat any vegetation.
Please watch our health & safety film before visiting Cadw sites.
Iechyd a Diogelwch / Health and Safety
Please report any anti-social behaviour such as climbing, setting fires, graffiti etc. to CadwAccidentsReports@gov.wales
The following signs can be found around the site at key areas of risk, please pay attention where appropriate.
Steep and uneven steps
Falls from height
Slippery or uneven surfaces
Falling masonry
High winds
Directions
Address
Castle St, Criccieth LL52 0DP
For contractors, educational visits and deliveries please ring 01766 522227
Rydym yn croesawu galwadau’n Gymraeg / We welcome calls in Welsh.
Telephone 03000 252239
Postcode LL52 0DP
what3words: ///dial.space.delighted
For further information, please contact: Traveline Cymru on 0871 200 2233 or National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50.
