Castell Dinas Brân

Castell Dinas Brân is a castle ruin perched on a hilltop approximately 220 meters above the River Dee in Llangollen. The remains include stone walls, a gatehouse, and a rectangular layout that spans roughly 90 meters across.

Welsh prince Gruffydd Maelor ap Madog built the fortress around 1260. Two decades later, Welsh defenders burned it during conflict with King Edward I.

The name means Crow's Fortress, referencing the birds that once nested abundantly on this hilltop. Locals still regard the site as a symbol of medieval Welsh power that once dominated the valley below.

Access to the ruins requires climbing a steep pathway to reach the summit, which demands some physical effort. Once there, visitors can explore the remaining structures and take in views across the valley and surrounding countryside.

The ruins still contain traces of medieval domestic features such as wall plaster, fireplaces, and stone-built latrines, revealing how people once lived here. These preserved details help visitors imagine the fortress in its former inhabited state.

Location: Denbighshire

Location: Llangollen

GPS coordinates: 52.97922,-3.15957

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:28