Updated in September 2026, this Criccieth Castle guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
Criccieth Castle is a 13th-century coastal castle ruin in Criccieth, Gwynedd, North Wales. Adult admission is currently £8.20, a price that took effect on 1 September 2026 and applies until 31 March 2027. This guide was updated in September 2026 and reflects that current price, along with the castle’s summer opening hours, which run until 1 November 2026.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 10am–5pm, closed Tue & Wed (30 Mar–1 Nov); 10am–4pm, closed Mon–Thu (2 Nov–29 Mar) |
| Ticket prices | Adult £8.20; Senior £7.30; Junior/Student £5.70; Family (2 adults + up to 3 children) £26.20 |
| Address | Castle St, Criccieth, Gwynedd LL52 0DP |
| Nearest transport/parking | Criccieth railway station, 400m; bus stop (route 3), 200m; pay & display car park near the esplanade, approx. 400m |
| Typical time needed | 45–60 minutes |
Criccieth Castle opening hours
Criccieth Castle opens from 10am to 5pm between 30 March and 1 November, and it is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during this period. From 2 November to 29 March, it opens from 10am to 4pm, and it is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
- Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.
- The castle is closed on 24, 25 and 26 December, and on 1 January.
- Hours can change for events, so check the official site before visiting.
Criccieth Castle ticket prices
Adult admission to Criccieth Castle costs £8.20.
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £8.20 |
| Senior (65+) | £7.30 |
| Junior (5–17) / Student | £5.70 |
| Family (2 adults + up to 3 children) | £26.20 |
| Family (1 adult + up to 3 children) | £18.00 |
| Disabled visitor and companion | Free |
| Cadw member | Free |
| Under 5s | Free |
Booking online saves 5% on standard ticket prices, though online tickets are non-refundable. Blue Light Card holders and armed forces personnel or veterans get 10% off in person, though this discount is not available online. Visitors receiving Universal Credit or certain other benefits can buy a £1 ticket.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026. You can check current details on Cadw’s official site.
Criccieth Castle is not part of a commercial city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPass. It is included in Cadw’s own Explorer Pass, which also covers Caernarfon Castle, Conwy Castle, Harlech Castle and Beaumaris Castle on one combined ticket.
How to get to Criccieth Castle
Criccieth Castle stands in the town centre, a short walk from the railway station.
- Road: the A497, from Porthmadog or Pwllheli.
- Rail: Criccieth station, 400 metres away, on the Cambrian Coast line between Shrewsbury and Pwllheli.
- Bus: a stop 200 metres away, on route 3 between Porthmadog and Pwllheli.
- Cycle: National Cycle Network Route 8 passes through Criccieth.
Criccieth sits between Porthmadog and Pwllheli on the Llŷn Peninsula coast road. Porthmadog is about 10 minutes away by car, and Pwllheli is about 20 minutes away, so both make easy comparison points when planning driving times.
Parking at Criccieth Castle
Criccieth Castle has no dedicated car park of its own. Free on-street parking is available on the main street near the site, and a larger pay-and-display car park sits near the beach, about 400 metres from the castle along the esplanade.
During busy summer weekends, the esplanade car park can fill quickly. If it is full, additional pay-and-display parking is available further along the seafront, within a short walk of the castle.
How long to spend at Criccieth Castle
Most visitors spend 45 to 60 minutes at Criccieth Castle. This covers the climb up from the visitor centre, a look at the on-site exhibition, and time to take in the views over Cardigan Bay.
Families with young children, or visitors keen to photograph the headland from multiple angles, may prefer to allow closer to 90 minutes.
Accessibility at Criccieth Castle
Criccieth Castle has moderate terrain, with a steep main path up from the visitor centre. A handrail is provided to help with the climb, and the route levels out once inside the castle itself.
- A portable induction loop is available for visitors with hearing loss.
- Mobility scooters may struggle with gravel paths and cobbles; contact the site in advance for tailored advice.
- Disabled visitors and one companion receive free entry.
- Visitor toilets and a gift shop are on site.
For specific accessibility questions, staff can be contacted directly by phone or email before your visit, and Cadw publishes a separate access guide for the site with further detail.
What to see at Criccieth Castle
The immense twin-towered gatehouse is the castle’s most striking surviving feature. It was built by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, known as Llywelyn the Great, in the early 13th century.
His grandson, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, later added the outer ward, curtain walls and two further towers, extending the fortress across the whole headland.
Edward I made his own additions after conquering the site, including equipping the north tower with a stone-throwing siege engine.
An on-site exhibition inside the monument explains the castle’s history and its role in Welsh and English conflicts during the medieval period.
The castle occupies a rocky headland between two beaches, giving wide views across the town of Criccieth and the sweep of Cardigan Bay.
In 1404, the Welsh leader Owain Glyndŵr burned the castle, leaving it as the ruin visitors see today.
By the 19th century, the castle had become a popular subject for artists, including J.M.W. Turner, who was drawn to its dramatic setting above the bay. The same coastal light and views still make it a popular spot for photography.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit outside midday on summer weekends to avoid the busiest period on the headland paths. |
| Layout | Wear flat, sturdy shoes, since the main route up from the visitor centre is steep. |
| Entry process | Enter through the visitor centre and shop, which leads to the path network at the rear. |
| On-site logistics | Buy tickets online in advance for a 5% discount, or pay on arrival at the visitor centre. |
| Weather | In windy conditions, stay within the castle boundary rather than on the grass banks, which can be slippery. |
Frequently asked questions about Criccieth Castle
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Criccieth Castle suitable for children? | Yes, though supervise children closely near the headland’s edges and steep paths. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Criccieth Castle? | No, tickets can be bought on arrival, though booking online saves 5%. |
| Is Criccieth Castle open on Sundays? | Yes, it is open on Sundays during its normal seasonal hours. |
| Are dogs allowed at Criccieth Castle? | Yes, dogs on short leads are welcome on the ground floor levels of the site. |
| Is Criccieth Castle wheelchair accessible? | The terrain is moderate with a steep approach, and mobility scooters may struggle on gravel and cobbles. Contact Cadw in advance for tailored advice. |
Things to do near Criccieth Castle
- Criccieth Beach – two sandy beaches either side of the castle headland, with rock pools to the east.
- Lloyd George Museum, Llanystumdwy – commemorates the former UK prime minister, about 2 miles from the castle.
- Portmeirion – Italianate village and gardens, roughly 20 minutes’ drive away.
- Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, Porthmadog – heritage steam train rides departing about 10 minutes away.
- Harlech Castle – a larger Edward I coastal castle and UNESCO World Heritage Site, roughly 20 minutes’ drive south.
Alternative attractions
- Caernarfon Castle – large Edward I castle in Caernarfon, roughly 35 minutes’ drive north.
- Conwy Castle – walled medieval town and castle, roughly an hour’s drive north-east.
- Beaumaris Castle – moated concentric castle on Anglesey, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes away.
- Dolwyddelan Castle – small native Welsh tower-keep castle in Eryri (Snowdonia), roughly 40 minutes’ drive.
- Denbigh Castle – hilltop town castle and walls, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes away.
More Welsh castles
Other Welsh castle guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Getting the most out of Caerphilly Castle – the second biggest castle in Britain.
- Key information for visiting Monmouth Castle in South Wales.
- What to expect at Raglan Castle in Monmouthshire.
- Free entry castles in North Wales: Dolbadarn Castle and Flint Castle.
- Why it’s worth taking time to visit Rhuddlan Castle in North Wales.
