Venues

DENBIGH, Denbighshire, LL16 3NB, Tel: 01745 813385, Email, www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Begun by Henry de Lacy in 1282, with the support of King Edward I, the site is dominated by an impressive triple-towered gatehouse, the link between defended town and castle ward.

CONWY, Conwy, LL32 8AY, Tel: 01492 592358, Email, www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

This gritty, dark-stoned fortress has the rare ability to evoke an authentic medieval atmosphere. The first time that visitors catch sight of the castle, they know that they are in the presence of a site which still casts a powerful spell.

Castle Street, BEAUMARIS, Isle of Anglesey, LL58 8AP, Tel: 01248 810361, Email, www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Beaumaris is the great unfinished masterpiece. It was built as one of the 'iron ring' of North Wales castles by the English monarch, Edward I to stamp his authority on the Welsh.

Dolwyddelan, Conwy, LL25 0EJ, Tel: 01690 750366, Email, www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Dolwyddelan, a mountain stronghold of the Welsh Princes, stands in a magnificent location deep in Snowdonia.

FLINT, Flintshire, CH6 5HF, Tel: 01443 336000, www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Begun in 1277, one of the first castles to be built in Wales by King Edward I. Its most impressive feature is a solitary round tower, isolated from the rest of the inner ward. It features in Shakespeare's Richard II.

LLANBERIS, Gwynedd, LL55 4TA, Tel: 01443 336000

Probably built by Llywelyn ab Iorwerth ('the Great') early in the thirteenth century, the castle is dominated by a massive round-towered keep, still standing up to 50 feet.

CRICCIETH, Gwynedd, LL52 0DP, Tel: 01766 522227, www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Standing in a commanding position on a rocky promontory overlooking Cardigan Bay, Criccieth is one of the greatest testaments to Welsh castle building.

Bodelwyddan, RHYL, Denbighshire, LL18 5YA, Tel: 01745 584060, Email, www.bodelwyddan-castle.co.uk

Family fun - collections from 3 national museums, exhibitions, events, extensive grounds, interactive exhibits, Victorian toys and games room, house quiz and free audio guide.

CAERNARFON, Gwynedd, LL55 2AY, Tel: 01286 677617, Email, www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Caernarfon Castle is one of the most impressive of the castles built by Edward I and is one of Europe's greatest medieval fortresses.

Castle Street, Rhuddlan, RHYL, Denbighshire, LL18 5AD, Tel: 01745 590777

Rhuddlan may not be as well known as some of the North Wales castles, yet it shares much in common with its illustrioius neighbours.