Aberystwyth Castle
Aberystwyth Castle stands on the headland between North and South Beach — a ruined concentric castle built by Edward I from 1277, now open freely to the public year-round. The ruins are less complete than Conwy or Harlech but the position is dramatic: the sea on three sides, views along the promenade to the north and back across the town to the east, and a long history layered into the remaining stonework.
Construction: Edward I and the Welsh Wars
Construction began in August 1277, following Edward I's first war against the Welsh prince Llywelyn ap Gruffydd. The castle was built to a concentric design — a ring of walls within walls — using over 1,100 workers including 176 masons, 14 carpenters and 5 smiths. Work was completed by around 1289 at enormous expense.
It was not completed without interruption. In 1282, while still under construction, the castle was captured and burned by the Welsh under Gruffydd ap Maredudd, after its constable was tricked into lowering the defences. The English retook it and construction resumed.
Aberystwyth was one of several castles built by Edward I to consolidate English control over Wales — the ring also included Flint, Rhuddlan, Builth Wells, Conwy, Caernarfon, Harlech and Beaumaris. It was the administrative centre for the region and a symbol of English authority on the west coast.
Owain Glyndŵr and Welsh Rebellion
In April 1404, during Owain Glyndŵr’s national uprising against English rule, the castle fell to Welsh forces after a siege. For the next four years it served as an administrative centre for the large area of Wales that Glyndŵr controlled — at the height of his power he held most of Wales and negotiated with the French and the Scots as though he were an independent ruler.
Aberystwyth Castle was one of the last to hold out: it was retaken by English forces in 1408, and Glyndŵr retreated north to Harlech. The uprising ended without a formal settlement; Glyndŵr was never captured. He remains a defining figure in Welsh national memory, and the castle’s role in that rebellion gives it a significance in Welsh history beyond its military architecture.
Later History and Civil War
By the Tudor period the castle had lost much of its strategic importance. During the Civil War it was held briefly as a Royalist stronghold, used to store the royal mint which had been moved here for safety. Parliamentary forces took it in 1646 and partially demolished the walls to prevent future military use — much of the stonework visible today dates from after that deliberate slighting.
The headland became a public space in the Victorian era. The ruins are now maintained by Cadw, the Welsh heritage body, and are open at all times without charge.
Visiting Today
The castle is a 10-minute walk from the town centre, along the promenade south from the pier or up from South Beach. The ruins are freely accessible throughout the year. The headland itself is worth the visit even independent of the castle — the views north along the promenade and across Cardigan Bay, and south along the coast towards Aberaeron, are among the best in the town.
The position between North Beach and South Beach makes it a natural midpoint on a walk that covers both. The promenade leads north from the castle headland; South Beach and Marine Terrace are immediately below to the south.
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