At a glance
Dolbadarn Castle (c.1220) is a native Welsh fortress built by Llywelyn the Great to control the Llanberis Pass. Its single round tower — one of the finest surviving in Wales — overlooks Llyn Padarn and was painted by J.M.W. Turner in 1800. Free to visit and perfectly placed for exploring Llanberis and Snowdonia.
About Dolbadarn Castle
Dolbadarn Castle was built around 1220 by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth — Llywelyn the Great — to guard the strategically vital Llanberis Pass, one of the two main mountain corridors into the heartland of Gwynedd. The pass was crucial both as a military route and as a trade corridor, and the castle's position between Llyn Padarn to the north-west and Llyn Peris to the south-east gave the princes of Gwynedd total control over movement through the mountains.
The castle's most striking feature is its great round tower — at 11 metres in diameter and surviving to a height of around 12 metres, it is among the finest examples of native Welsh military architecture anywhere in Wales. Inside, the original spiral stair survives largely intact, rising through three floors to the battlemented parapet. The tower is associated with the imprisonment of Owain ap Gruffudd, who was held here for around 22 years by his brother Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in a brutal dynastic power struggle.
The castle's romantic setting inspired two of Wales's greatest painters: Richard Wilson painted it in 1765, and J.M.W. Turner exhibited his celebrated canvas of the tower at the Royal Academy in 1800. Today, the free Cadw site is a short walk from Llanberis village, making it an effortless addition to any Snowdonia itinerary.
What to see at Dolbadarn Castle
- The round tower — Climb the original spiral stair to the battlemented top for views of Llyn Padarn, Llyn Peris and the whole sweep of the Llanberis Pass.
- The curtain wall remains — Lower sections of the surrounding curtain wall survive, giving a sense of the castle's full defensive plan.
- Llyn Padarn views — The view from the tower footpath over Llyn Padarn to the mountains beyond is one of the classic Snowdonia scenes.
- Turner's viewpoint — The exact angle Turner used for his 1800 painting can be found from the south-western approach to the tower, with the mountains forming the backdrop.
Visiting tips
Getting there
Dolbadarn Castle is on the southern edge of Llanberis village, approximately 10 minutes' walk from the main car parks. By road, follow the A4086 through Llanberis — the castle is signed from the village centre. The Snowdon Sherpa bus network connects Llanberis to Caernarfon, Bangor, Bedgellert and other Snowdonia villages.
Making the most of your visit
The castle takes 30–45 minutes to explore thoroughly. Combine it with a walk along the shores of Llyn Padarn (the lake path starts near the castle), a visit to the National Slate Museum (free), and the Electric Mountain underground power station tour nearby. The Snowdon Mountain Railway station is a 15-minute walk through the village.
Find it on the map
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Dolbadarn Castle is a free open-access Cadw site with no admission charge. There is a short steep path from the road up to the tower, and the site is open at all reasonable times throughout the year.
Dolbadarn Castle was built by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great) around 1220 to control the strategically vital Llanberis Pass — one of the two main mountain routes into the heartland of Gwynedd. The pass was crucial both militarily and for trade, and the castle's position between Llyn Padarn and Llyn Peris gave the princes of Gwynedd control over movement through the mountains.
Owain ap Gruffudd, brother of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, was imprisoned at Dolbadarn for approximately 22 years by his own brother in a power struggle for control of Gwynedd. When Edward I finally conquered Wales, he reportedly commented on Owain's long imprisonment before releasing him. This story of fraternal imprisonment was one of the inspirations for J.M.W. Turner's 1802 painting of the castle.
Yes. J.M.W. Turner exhibited his painting <em>Dolbadarn Castle, North Wales</em> at the Royal Academy in 1800. The painting — now in the Royal Academy collection — shows the round tower dramatically silhouetted against a stormy mountain sky, with Llyn Peris below. Turner visited Wales several times and was deeply moved by the Welsh landscape. Richard Wilson had also painted the castle decades earlier, in 1765.
Dolbadarn Castle is within easy walking distance of Llanberis village, the Snowdon Mountain Railway station, Electric Mountain (the underground power station tour) and the shores of Llyn Padarn. A full day in Llanberis could combine the castle, an Electric Mountain tour, a swim or kayak on Llyn Padarn, and the National Slate Museum — all within a mile or two of each other.