Castell Deganwy Castle

Fantastic experience: Had a walk from llandudno down the coast path to Deganwy, then found a footpath to Deganwy castle. The stone work has been mostly removed, so there is not a lot to see but worth the effort.

Fantastic experience: Well worth the walk which is surprisingly easy.

Positive experience: Easy walk lovely views found it peasant and interesting

Fantastic experience: Fragmentary shattered ruins of a great stone-built fortress crown the twin peaks of Deganwy Castle. This was Arx Decantorum, the seat of Maelgwn tyrant of Gwynedd in the sixth century, burnt by lightning in 812 and destroyed by the Saxons in 822 AD (see NPRN 404377). In the late eleventh century this was the seat of Robert of Rhuddlan from which he levied extortion on Gwynedd and from which he rode out to his death. As the Castrum de Gannoc it changed hands, was rebuilt and destroyed throughout the thirteenth century. The visible ruins are those of the great castle, accompanied by a borough, built by Henry III in 1245-50 that was beleaguered for seven years before being systematically destroyed by Llywelyn ab Gruffudd in 1263. Some activity continued at the site and the borough was still active in 1305. The castle was excavated in 1961-6, when evidence was recovered for a later prehistoric style fortress on the western peak, along with first to third century Roman material. The main castle court occupied the western crag and enclosed an area about 60m across. It included at least one great round tower and several domestic blocks. The smaller eastern crag was crowned by the irregular Mansel's Tower. The area between the crags was enclosed by great ramparts and walls, with a monumental twin-towered gatehouse on the south-side. Extensive settlement earthworks to the north and south of the castle (NPRN 400533, 400535) may represent several periods of occupation, including the thirteenth century borough (see NPRN 400533). The name attached to this area, 'the Vardre', suggests that it was at some time a bond settlement associated with a local court.

Positive experience: There is no castle just incase you get misled like my friends did, however beautiful area and place to enjoy the views, very steep though and can be very uneven especially if it rained.

Positive experience: I enjoyed a nice walk to the ruins of deganwy castle at the top of the hill with a 360 degree panoramic views of the Conwy valley the great Orme and Rhos on sea.

Fantastic experience: Achtung Achtung, dies ist kein Hotel! Falls ihr eine Übernachtung planen solltet: Keine Wände, Decken oder sonst etwas. Früher war hier mal eine Burg, von der jetzt nicht mehr viel zu sehen ist. Der Aufstieg ist recht problemlos machbar, allerdings viel Grün, auch stacheliges… Traumhafte Sicht über Conwy und Great Orme, über Deganwy und weitere Dörfer und Städte. Ein echtes Must See!

Fantastic experience: The sat nav takes you to a road. You feel this is wrong itsnot. Theres a small enclosed alley way that leads to a kissing gate. Go through and follow the path to the top of the hill. Bit of a hike but ok. Dogs can go offlead if recall is great. Or can help pull you up thehill . Keep looking at the view its AMAZING. Not much left of the castle now but theviews more than compensate for this. No hotel there that we saw.

Positive experience: There is no castle to see! There is however an interpretation panel. Nice walk with views.

Fantastic experience: This is a beautiful place to visit still some remains and fantastic view from the top great place to walk. Dogs on leads as sheep about

Fantastic experience: A lovely area to have a walk around and although there isn't a great deal left of the castle itself what there is is fascinating more for the castle connoisseur than those just looking for a day out but for those with an interest in Welsh history it's a must do. After a second visit to deganwy it is easy to see this deserves the full five stars. Make sure you give yourself enough time to have a good explore. There is far more to see than you first think. The views over Conwy are stunning but the real pleasure is discovering all the hidden details.

Fantastic experience: On the hottest day of the year last year (in July) I decided to give this place a go. Beautiful landscapes and excellent clear views across the estuary. Also great views across to the Great Orme and to Llandudno. It is a bit of a steep hike but reasonably a good walk if taken casually.

Fantastic experience: Good walk to the top. Stunning views towards Conwy and Anglesey. Not too strenuous. Ideal place to take dogs or have a picnic at the top.

Fantastic experience: Lovely views lot of history

Positive experience: Great coastal and river views

Positive experience: Beautiful place, lovely views at Conwy and Eryri (Snowdonia)

Positive experience: Great views of Conwy estuary & Llandudno area

Fantastic experience: Deganwy Castle has wonderful views such as Great Orme, Llandudno, Irish sea, Wind farm, Liverpool and the Wirral, Welsh hills, Conwy town and valley, Snowdonia mountains and the Isle of Anglesey

Fantastic experience: Fantastic views lovely walk

Fantastic experience: Not much left but a great position and superb views.

Fantastic experience: Deganwy Castle is a total wreck of a castle, in your head you can workout how the castle was first built, there are small wrecks of walls here there & everywhere, it should say this is where Deganwy castle once stud. It is worth the walk up to the top of the hill the views are brilliant on a good day, well worth the walk

Negative experience: Couldn't find it, no signage, no obvious point to go to. Hmmm

Fantastic experience: Short walk

Fantastic experience: Views views views,WOW.

Fantastic experience: Nice hike up to what I think are the best views of the Conwy estuary, Llandudno and Anglesey. Next time I stay for the sunset

Fantastic experience: Lovely views across llandudno, looking over to Anglesey. A short walk from the west shore beach.

Fantastic experience: I love historic buildings and this is is a beauty. Well worth a visit

Fantastic experience: Nice clumb

Fantastic experience: Not much to see of the old castle, but great views, and usually quiet with few visitors, if any.

Positive experience: The castle was a ruin, which was ok, but the view from the castle was awesome

Fantastic experience: Area of natural beauty ✨

Fantastic experience: A short, sharp climb, then... beautiful views both towards Conwy over the estuary and East along the N. Wales coast.

Fantastic experience: Deganwy castle is a really worthwhile visit! The castle itself is right in that sweet spot between being so ruined that it feels truly ancient - and not entirely unlike Tolkien's Weathertop - yet with enough still in place that even an untrained eye can see what was built where, how, and to an extent why. The walk to the top is easy, and yet the views are still wonderful: you can see Llandudno, a good part of the Great Orme, Conwy (including the Castle, walls, bridge, harbour, etc.), neighbouring hills, and great view of the sea! Considering it's one of Wales' free castles to visit, it's absolutely worth seeing!

Fantastic experience: The castle itself no longer exists, there are only few parts of the walls, but the view from the top of the hill is beautiful.

Fantastic experience: It is a beautiful castle and you can walk around the city walls which have been mostly preserved too. It's beautifully lit at night time too.

Fantastic experience: Easy walk to the top then the views were great to Conwy. Llandudno and beyond

Fantastic experience: Firstly, this is not a 2* hotel, it's a ruined castle! I don't like to think of people turning up here trailing suitcases behind them. I wish I could figure out how to change it. Nothing that hasn't been said before. Not much left but great 360°views of the peninsula. Fascinating history; predates Conwy castle which can be seen across the estuary.

Positive experience: Nice walk with outstanding views,. Well worth a visit if you can find route. Helpful people to guide you if necessary

Fantastic experience: Beautiful views!

Fantastic experience: Great views from the top

Fantastic experience: An easy climb with spectacular views of the area and estuary!

Fantastic experience: If you are not expecting to see anything remaining then you won't be disappointed. Excellent view of the estuary, Conwy and beyond. Worth the climb up.

Positive experience: Nice walk, great views from top.

Fantastic experience: Not much left of the castle but stunning views

Fantastic experience: A little windy when we visited, but we'll worth the visit great views.

Fantastic experience: Panoramic views

Positive experience: Lovely place to visit

Fantastic experience: Beautiful and evocative spot. Best to wear walking boots, as it can get slippery and the climb is quite steep. The views from the top are well worth it.

Fantastic experience: Not so much left of the castle. Just some ruins really but the view is spectacular. Loved it.

Fantastic experience: Great views

Fantastic experience: Well worth the walk. Free to visit, just park up and take a stroll to the top. You will be rewarded with some incredible views.

Positive experience: Good views, but castle is crumbled to one big stone

Fantastic experience: Nice view

Fantastic experience: A pile of rocks is all that's left, but the view makes up for it.

Fantastic experience: Site of original castle with some earthworks and stone remains. Fabulous views in all directions.

Fantastic experience: Very beautiful place and atmospheric.

Fantastic experience: Not much of the castle left, a few piles of stone is all really but on a clear day you get some stunning views!

Fantastic experience: Wonderful views and well worth an exploration.

Fantastic experience: Excellent example of a Celtic hill fort until Edward 1st took many of the stones for Conwy Castle. Great views from the top of what locally is known as the Camel humps. In top of the larger one is a pit, local myth says it was a bear pit. In the middle of the vardre there is s dip that runs toward the village. It is believed to have been a road lined with mussel shells.

Positive experience: This castle ruin is set in lovely surroundings with excellent walks and beaches.

Fantastic experience: A great building now after rebuilding into apertments. Very smart.

Positive experience: It's a fun place to explore but basically it's been built and razed so many times that it's probably exhausted. Lots of tumbled bits of wall and not much structural left. There's a fun quarry to look around on top of the hill. Much wind. Good views. Perfect starter castle.

Negative experience: Just one stone but nice views

Fantastic experience: Great views, well marked and very interesting.

Positive experience: A castle built into an hillside

Fantastic experience: Don't expect to see a castle, but it's great!

Fantastic experience: Beautiful views

Fantastic experience: Couple of info boards, stunning views, but steep, steep walk to the top.

Fantastic experience: A fairly quiet location with magnificent views from the Vardre Hills on which the castle was built. Lovely place for walking the dogs.

Positive experience: Now self contained apartments

Fantastic experience: Nice walk and lovely views

Fantastic experience: Great views, and the history is worth finding.

Fantastic experience: Lovely sunny day. Deserted. Geocache up the top. Nice walk round the other peaks. Should of left my partner on top of one peak and taken a picture from the other

Fantastic experience: Love this place not much of a castle there now though great views towards Conwy and Llandudno

Fantastic experience: Cute castle in the centre of Deganwy

Fantastic experience: Amazing views, you really have to look for the right trail to follow very little remains but what does is inspiring

Fantastic experience: I SAW ONLY FROM OUTSIDE BUT THE TOWN IS LOVELY!

Fantastic experience: Beautiful authentic Castle!

Fantastic experience: Easy climb and views spectacular over deganwy and conwy.

Fantastic experience: Stunning location one of the best views in North Wales.....Llandudno Anglesey conwy conwy valley carneddau rhos on Sea colwyn bay Liverpool bay all visible

Fantastic experience: It was the original castle ,before Edward 1 built Conwy

Fantastic experience: Atmospheric

Fantastic experience: A little difficult to find, but once we found the walkway (which is a narrow opening between to large walled gardens) we had a lovely walk up to the site of this old castle. There's not much left to see and not a lot of interpretive material in the signs, but if you have a vivid imagination, and like scrambling up steep hills, then this is a place you'll love. The views from the tops of the hills are stunning as well.

Fantastic experience: Breathtaking views well worth the climb