Town Photo Gallery
Steeped in history — from the Mabinogion to Owain Glyn Dŵr
In the heart of the Snowdonia National Park, overlooking Tremadog Bay and the Llŷn Peninsula, lies the town of Harlech. Dominated by the Rhinog mountain range and its medieval castle, it is one of Meirionydd’s best-kept secrets. Its steep winding streets, traditional Welsh architecture and magnificent natural setting make it a memorable destination and the perfect base for exploring Snowdonia — the heartland of Welsh language and culture.
In Welsh mythology, Harlech is forever associated with the legend of Branwen, daughter of Llŷr, whose story is recorded in the masterpiece of medieval Welsh literature, The Mabinogion:
“Bendigeidfran son of Llŷr… was at Harlech in Ardudwy, at his court. And they were seated upon the rock of Harlech overlooking the sea…”
On this rugged promontory — a spur of the Harlech Dome, one of the oldest known geological rock formations in the world — now stands the architectural grandeur of Harlech Castle, framed by the mountains of Snowdonia.
The castle was built by Edward I as one of his “iron ring” of fortresses in the 13th century. In 1404, it was captured by Owain Glyn Dŵr during the great national uprising of the Welsh. Harlech became Glyn Dŵr’s official residence and court, and the place where he was formally crowned as Prince of Wales — witnessed by envoys from Scotland, France and Spain. It was captured by the English in 1409 under Harry of Monmouth, the future King Henry V.
Sixty years later, Harlech was one of the last Lancastrian strongholds during the Wars of the Roses. The castle endured the longest siege in British history — seven years — immortalised in the song Men of Harlech. The chronicler John Warkworth wrote: “Kyng Edward was possessed of alle Englande excepte a castelle in Northe Wales called Harlake.”
Today Harlech is a small, proud Welsh-speaking town with a rich cultural life centred around Theatre Ardudwy, the local arts venue. The annual Harlech Summer Festival brings music and performance to the town, and the Coleg Harlech WEA adult education centre has long made Harlech a place of learning as well as tourism. The Royal St David’s Golf Club — one of the great links courses of Britain — stretches along the dunes below the castle.
