Take some time out from the stresses of modern life by exploring the ruins of a castle and imagining what life would have been like back for those who used to live inside them.
Ducking under archways and peering round crumbling walls, there’s something rather magical about visiting an abandoned castle as it transports you to a different time.
Or maybe you're inspired to a visit a castle after watching I'm A Celebrity, filmed at Gwrych Castle, in Abergele.
As crisp days (when it's not raining of course) are upon us, it’s the ideal time to wrap up warm and head out to explore some incredible ruined castles in North Wales.
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Some of these can be reached with just a short drive from Manchester, while others would suit a weekend trip away.
Whether it's stunning scenery you want, or well-preserved examples of medieval fortresses, there's something for everyone on the list below.
Aberlleiniog Castle, Anglesey
Hidden in the woods, visiting Aberlleiniog Castle feels like you’ve stumbled across a forgotten ruin.
Built in the 1080s and 1090s, this ruin is truly a relic from a different time. Situated on top of a steep hill, the castle has a strategic position overlooking the Menai Strait across to Abergwyngregyn.
It’s worth visiting just for the walk alone; take your time and enjoy the stroll through the woodland.
This castle is perfect for those who prefer to avoid throngs of tourists and prefer something that's off the beaten track.
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Ewloe Castle, Ewloe
Contrary to the conventional castle building where fortresses were located on hilltops to offer a vantage point, Ewloe is situated on a slope in the woodland.
But the castle still served as a strategic location near to the border between Wales and England.
The main D-shaped tower was likely built just after 1210, with the curtain walls and Western tower being added around 60 years later.
You can also climb to the top of one of the walls where there is a viewing platform to take in the castle from above.
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Denbigh Castle, Denbigh
Walk in the footsteps of those who lived in the castle centuries ago as you head over the drawbridge through the gateway of Denbigh Castle.
Built between the 1280s and the 1290s, the castle sits at the top of a steep hill overlooking the town and offering incredible views of the surrounding area.
Climb up the steps to walk along the section of the battlements and peer into the depths of the castle’s well.
You can also walk along the town’s walls, which were built before the castle itself, although you’ll need to pay a deposit to access the keys.
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Conwy Castle, Conwy
With its impressive round towers and imposing walls, Conwy Castle certainly lives up to your expectations of what a castle should look like.
Located at the estuary of the River Conwy, the castle is an imposing sight in the skyline and the distance mountains of Snowdonia are just visible behind it.
Incredibly well-preserved, the castle and walls were built between 1283 and 1287. Visitors can explore all the way round its battlements as the spiral staircases in the towers have been restored.
Originally the castle was actually white, coated in lime render which you can still find traces of today.
The castle is a World Heritage Site, along with the town walls which snake around the historic town centre.
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Castell y Bere, Snowdonia
It may not seem as grand as it once was, but Castell y Bere certainly has a charm to it as the castle’s ruins echo the rolling hills which surround it.
Situated in a wild and remote rocky outcrop, this castle was built in 1220s by Llywelyn the Great to assert his authority in the area, but it fell into English control in the 1280s. Edward I tried to establish a town by the castle but it was besieged by the Welsh in the 1290s and reportedly burnt.
For several centuries Castell y Bere was abandoned until the 1850s when archeological investigations began.
As you explore the remains of the castle, it’s hard to believe that it once had highly advanced defensive features, including two gate-towers, each with their own drawbridge and portcullis.
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Dolbadarn Castle, Llanberis
Although the castle walls have been lost in the mists of time, Dodbadarn’s round tower makes for postcard worthy scene nestled in the mountainous landscape - in fact it was a popular destination for 18th and 19th century painters.
Standing at 40 feet tall, the tower is built from slate and rubble so it’s full of detail you don’t get with a stone-built castle.
Overlooking the waters of Llyn Peris in Snowdonia National Park, this modest medieval castle has some stunning views. It’s located at the base of the Llanberis Pass which takes you on a scenic drive between the mountains.
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Caergwrle Castle, Caergwrle
Follow a path from the junction of Wrexham Road and Castle Street in Caergwrle and you’ll come across the ruins of Caergwrle Castle.
It may not have the grand towers and lengthy walls of other castles, but you can get up close and explore the thick walls which remain of a structure which once played an important role in Welsh history - in fact it was the last castle to be built by a native Welsh prince.
Perched on top of a hill, the castle offers great views of the Flintshire countryside
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Flint Castle, Flintshire
One for history and literature fans alike, Flint Castle features a complex defensive design, surrounded by a moat and incredibly thick walls with everything it needed to withstand a siege.
But the castle also plays an important role in Shakespeare’s Richard II, in the scene where Richard II meets his rival to the crown, Henry Bolingbroke - who later became Henry IV - in 1399.
Located on the edge of the River Dee estuary, Flint Castle overlooks the border between England and Wales and across to the Wirral, and originally a ditch surrounding the castle would have been flooded with the river’s tidal waters, providing extra protection.
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