Castles to visit in North Wales this autumn and winter

We admit we might be a bit biased, but we can confidently state that Wales is home to some of the best castles in the world! Edward I certainly kept himself busy with a line of castles across North Wales. Every Welsh holiday should include at least one castle visit.

Autumn and winter are brilliant seasons for visiting castles. Not only is it quieter than in the busy summer months, but there’s something special about viewing these ancient structures against a backdrop of autumn colours. 

Read on for a quick rundown of our favourite castles in Wales to visit in the off-season. From amazingly intact fortresses to rural ruins, there’s something for everyone. 

Conwy Castle

Top of the list is the magnificent 700-year-old Conwy Castle. Proud recipient of a 2022 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award, this vast medieval fortress has an amazing 8 towers to climb – so make sure you wear comfortable shoes! The steps are more than worth it for the stunning views. Look into the distance to Snowdonia and view the beautiful town of Conwy below you, marvelling at its town walls which remain remarkably intact. 

The onsite visitors’ centre hosts regular art exhibitions and there’s a gift shop. Although there’s no on-site tea room, Conwy itself boasts plenty of cafes, including the Castle Gallery Tea Room right by the main entrance and Upstairs at Anna’s (as mentioned in our post 5 Best Tea House Locations in North Wales. Do make sure you explore the town, too. 

Conwy Castle is open throughout the year except for 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January. Opening times from 1 November to 28 February are 10am-4pm.  

Castell Dinas Brân, Llangollen

At the opposite end of the scale, visit the spectacular 13th Century ruin of Castell Dinas Brân. Situated high above the Dee Valley, a mile northeast of Llangollen, the remains of the castle are perched around 300m above sea level on a site originally occupied by an Iron Age hill fort. The castle was abandoned in the 14th-century ad fell into ruin. 

Visiting Castell Dinas Brân is not for the fainthearted but the views are worth the climb. There’s a fairly steep walk of approximately 1km to the summit and it’s advisable to wear strong footwear. To make the most of the day, why not try this 4.3km circular walk?

Unfortunately, the site is not really suitable for those with mobility challenges.

The castle is free to visit. Roadside parking can be found on Wern Road. For refreshments, we recommend popping into Llangollen itself which has plenty of facilities. 

Flint Castle

The first of Edward I’s castles, Flint Castle is another 13th-century delight. Its architecture and design are unique and loved by fans of military architecture. It was also, unusually for a castle, accessible by sea. 

Flint is in some ways a quintessential castle. It boasts not only a great Keep (known at the time as a donjon) but a moat and a drawbridge too. Children will love drawing their day out at the castle. 

Flint Castle is open all year round and entry is free. Dogs are welcome and there’s also free onsite parking (postcode CH6 5PH), and there’s easy access via Rail. 

Penrhyn Castle, Gwynedd

Penrhyn castle was built by the famous architect Thomas Hopper and was the home of the Pennant family. The castle was built through the proceeds of slavery and colonialism, something the National Trust, which now manages the castle, is only too aware of and is taking steps to ensure the stories, however painful, are heard. 

History aside, Penrhyn Castle and Garden has all the ingredients of a lovely winter day out. Enjoy the gardens and grounds where walking on the grass is positively encouraged and there’s even a jungle garden! For a more sedate experience, head to the walled garden. There’s a nature walking trail to enjoy, too. 

When you’ve had your fill of the outdoors, head inside and view the castle itself. Penrhyn is an elaborate space with luxurious interiors and is home to a vast collection. The current exhibition, ‘What a World’ takes a look at pieces in the collection linked to our colonial past, the transatlantic slave trade and the culture of colonialism. 

With Victorian Kitchens and a Railway Museum, there’s plenty for a whole day out at Penrhyn. There’s also a café and gift shop onsite. Find Penrhyn three miles outside of Bangor, postcode LL57 4HT. 

Penrhyn is open 10am-4pm throughout October. It’s Saturdays and Sundays only in November and December, though, so don’t get caught out.