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Harlech Castle

Harlech’s battlements spring out of a near-vertical cliff-face.

Men of Harlech’. The nation’s unofficial anthem, loved by rugby fans and regimental bands alike, is said to describe the longest siege in British history (1461-1468) which took place here during the War of the Roses. Edward’s tried and tested ‘walls within walls’ model was put together in super-fast time between 1283 and 1295 by an army of nearly a thousand skilled craftsmen and labourers. Edward liked to use only the best masons from Savoy and England’s finest carpenters and blacksmiths. At the time this was one of the cheapest of Edward’s castles. A snip at a mere £8,190.

The structure, overseen by Master of the King’s Works, James of St George, boasts two rings of walls and towers, with an immensely strong east gatehouse. It was impregnable from almost every angle. Its secret weapon was a 200-foot (61m) long stairway which still leads from the castle to the cliff base. Access via the stairway to the sea and crucial supplies kept the castle’s besieged inhabitants fed and watered. When it was first built, a channel would have connected the castle and the sea. You could have sailed a boat up to the moat. Seven hundred years later, the sea has receded and you could say the castle appears almost stranded, waiting for the tide to turn once more.

Harlech is one of eight sites chosen by Cadw as a hub for community projects in support of the Cultural Olympiad celebrations in Wales.

Gallery

Harlech Gallery Harlech Gallery castle
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Harlech Gallery Harlech Gallery castle
Harlech Gallery Harlech Gallery castle far



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Opening Times

29 March - 30 June
Daily 9.30am - 5.00pm

1 April - 30 June 2012
Daily 9.30am - 5.00pm

1 July - 31 August
Daily 9.30am - 6.00pm

1 September - 31 October
Daily 9.30am - 5.00pm

1 November - 28 February
Monday to Saturday
10.00am - 4.00pm
Sunday 11.00am - 4.00pm

1 March - 31 March
Daily 9.30am - 5.00pm

Last admission 30 minutes before closing

Closed 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January

Prices

Adult - £4.25
Family - £12.75*
Senior citizens, students and
children under 16 - £3.20
Disabled and companion - Am ddim/Free

*Admits 2 adults and all children/grandchildren under 16

Contact

Harlech Castle
LL46 2YH
01766 780552
cadw@wales.gsi.gov.uk
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Latest Events

27/5/2013
Hand spinning demonstration

6/7/2013
Steam Gala

7/7/2013
Steam Gala

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Weather Forecast For
North Wales

Wednesday : sunny intervals

Wed 13°C

Thursday : light rain shower

Thur 9°C

Friday : sunny

Fri 12°C



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