Harlech
Harlech maps (2 available)
Map of Gwynedd
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
Personalised maps
Create an historic map centred directly on any postcode!
Harlech books (1 available)
- 8 photos on Harlech appear in 6 Frith books - View photos of Harlech
- Read extracts and see photos from these books on Harlech and Gwynedd
Harlech memories
Read and share memories of Harlech and Gwynedd inspired by Frith photos
Golfing memories.
My late husband was the professional at Royal St Davids for many years and the only golfer so far to have been both Welsh Amateur Champion and Welsh Professional Champion twice. We lived at 'Plas Owain' which is the house just above the Golf Links on the curve of the road up the hill. It was built in 1907.
Contributed by Mrs Black
Gwynedd memories
Golfing memories.
My late husband was the professional at Royal St Davids for many years and the only golfer so far to have been both Welsh Amateur Champion and Welsh Professional Champion twice. We lived at 'Plas Owain' which is the house just above the Golf Links on the curve of the road up the hill. It was built in 1907.
A memory of Harlech contributed by Mrs Black
Borth Y Gest - Simply The Best
I'm privileged to be the first to leave a memory relating to Borth Y Gest. I first had a holiday there in 1964. The owner of the factory where my dad was director owned a lovely holiday home in an elevated position in Mersey Street. The house is called "Mirain" and has unrivalled views across the estuary to Harlech. We had at least one holiday a year there until 1978 when the house was sold. I've continued holidaying in the Portmadoc/Criccieth area every year since and feel like I know it as well as I do my home town. These days when we (my wife, son and I) go to the area we stay in a ...read more here
A memory of Borth-Y-Gest contributed by Paul Woodin
I was fortunate enough to have spent a holiday at "Brynawelon", Criccieth in the mid 50's. I stayed with my Aunt and Uncle who rented a cottage in the grounds. My Aunt introduced me to Sosia {Soshia} who was the Polish housekeeper's daughter - we were inseparable. We would slide down the highly polished wooden bannister in the main hallway, onto a lion skin, {I was horrified!} We hopped and skipped and jumped the days away and all too soon it was time to say goodbye. I remember our traumatic parting as if it was yesterday, my Aunt turned to my Mother and said "parting is such sweet sorrow". I often think of the delightful girl with the smile that would ...read more here
A memory of Criccieth contributed by Lorna Enslin
Extracts From Harlech & Gwynedd books
At the time when Harlech was built by Edward I in the 1280s, the sea lapped around the base of the rocky crag on which it stands. Owain Glyndwr took the castle in 1404, but his attempt to bring independence to Wales came to an end when Henry V stormed Harlech and captured Owain and his family.
An extract from from"50 Classics - Castles".
Harlech Castle was begun in 1283. The town clusters around the stronghold, clinging to the steep slopes in a series of steeply inclined roads. Harlech Castle is the very image of a mediaeval stronghold. Imposingly set on its crag overlooking the sands of Morfa Harlech and the famous golf course, it is little changed today from this view. The song ‘Men of Harlech’ relates to its eight-year siege during the Wars of the Roses.
An extract from from"North Wales Photographic Memories".
In this view from the south-west, two smallish levelled areas that appear to be stepped one above the other can be seen to the left of the castle. These are the artillery platforms mentioned in the caption to photograph No 34682. The weapons deployed on them were probably mounted trebuchets, positioned to give supporting fire to the defenders of the Water Gate.
An extract from from"Welsh Castles".
The twin-towered gatehouse, or Le Gemeltour Supra Portram as it was called in a survey of the castle undertaken in 1343, is flanked on the right by the Prison Tower (Le Prisontour), and on the left by the Garden Tower (Turris Ultra Gardinum). In the Prison Tower a trap-door in the floor of the first floor was the only way in, or out, of a deep circular dungeon. A similar room also existed in the basement of the Garden Tower.
An extract from from"Welsh Castles".
Although built by Edward I, Harlech is considered the most Welsh of the Edwardian castles. It was here, in the early 15th century, that the rebel leader Owain Glyndwr had his stronghold and seat of power during the rebellion. The massive towers and walls withstood some of the earliest cannon used in Britain, and its starving inhabitants only surrendered after a lengthy siege.
An extract from from"Gwynedd and Anglesey Photographic Memories".