Harlech

Harlech is dominated by its castle, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Harlech Castle was built between 1283 and 1289 by Master James of St George for the English King Edward I, the conqueror of Wales. Designed on a concentric plan with a small but powerful inner ward dominated by an impressive twin-towered gatehouse and four round corner towers. It is has many similarities with the Krak des Chevaliers, Crusader Castle in Syria, over which Harlech has an important advantage: its own water supply.
Harlech was seized by Owain Glyn Dŵr during a rebellion/secessionist war in 1404 and held successfully by him for four years.
The old town centre, where most shops and restaurants are, sits upon the hillside around the castle, with more recent development being on the plain beneath the castle. The only two roads linking the two parts directly are very steep and narrow, and one is one-way (down) only.

By car

Harlech is on the A496 and B4573. The A496 is narrow and twisty in places, particularly north of Harlech towards Maentwrog.

By bus

Bus routes 38 and 39, to Dolgellau - Barmouth - Porthmadog.

By Train

Harlech station is on the main Machynlleth to Pwllheli Cambrian Coast line.

• Harlech Castle

  phone: +44 1766 780552
  address: Castle Square
  One of four world heritage list castles in Wales. Be aware that road signs direct drivers to the car park at the foot of the rock upon which the castle stands, from which it is a very steep climb. There is however a pay car park next to the entrance to the castle in the town, though this is small and will be busy at peak times. On street parking in the town is free but roads are narrow and spaces limited.

• RSPB Glaslyn Osprey Project

• Ffestiniog Railway

• Y Lasynys Fawr

  phone: +44 1766 781395
  Home of the 18th century author, Ellis Wynne.

• Ffordd Pen LlechThe steepest street in the world as of 2019, according to the Guinness World Records. The street has a gradient of 1:2.67, which means the street gains (or loses) one metre of elevation for each 2.67 metres of distance.

• Royal St David's Golf Clubis one of Wales's premier golf links

• Harlech Beach

  address: Harlech, Snowdonia National Park LL46 2UG
  Miles of sandy beach; great for nudists. Half of beach is dog-free.

• HillwalkingHarlech is one of the main centres for walking in the Rhinog range of mountains, which are sometimes referred to as the Harlech Dome. These run north/south, following the coast from Harlech to Barmouth, and separating the fertile coastal plain of Ardudwy from the rest of North Wales.

Events

• Dyffryn and Talybont Fun day

• Castle Cottage

• Tandoori Restaurant & Takeway

  phone: +44 1766 781306
  address: Castle Court, High Street, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2YE

• Golden Inn Restaurant

  phone: +44 1766 780908
  address: High St Harlech Gwynedd LL46 2YB
  Beware that service can be very slow here

• Plas Restraunt

  phone: +44 1766 780204
  address: High Street, Harlech LL46 2YA · Harlech
• Chip Shop on road up to castle from lower town (closed Saturday nights!)

• castle cottage

  phone: +44 1766 780479
  A restaurant well situated near the Castle

• Cemlyn Tea Shop

  address: High Street
  Award winning Tea Shop serving over 30 loose leafs teas (no tea bags) also Rain Forest Alliance Coffees and Segafredo Extra Strong. Open March to October, closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

• Hufenfa'r Castell

  address: Castle Square
  Probably the best ice cream made in Harlech

Mid-range

• Castle Cottage

  phone: +44 1766 780479
  address: Y Llech, Harlech, LL46 2YL
  Castle Cottage is composed of two 400-year-old buildings.

• Morlun B&B

  phone: +44 1766 780776
  address: Old Llanfair Road, Harlech, LL46 2SS
  Seaside/country B & B set in a tranquil environment with a beautiful garden overlooking the sea, sandy beaches and mountains of Snowdonia.

• Sandy Patch

  phone: +44 1341 280540
  address: 28, Castell Morfa, Harlech, LL46 2GA
  Self-catering 3 bedroom 4 star bungalow lies in a quiet cul-de-sac off A496 in Southern Snowdonia, has a fine view of the World Heritage Site, off-road parking: close to railway station.

• Maelgwyn House

  phone: +44 1766 780087
  address: Maelgwyn House, Ffordd Isaf, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2SW

• Awel y Mynydd

  address: LL47 6YG

• Fron Deg Guest House

  phone: +44 1766 780448
  address: Llanfair, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2RB

Splurge

• The Portmeirion Hotel & Castell Deudraeth

  phone: +44 1766 770000