Castell-Y-Bere | Wales’ Forgotten Castle

Castell Y Bere is Wales’ forgotten castle. Built by Llywelyn ap Iorweth (Llywelyn the Great) in the 13th century in the beautiful Dysyni valley.

Found in the foot hills of Cadr Idris, Castell Bere was the first castle Llywelyn built in the 1220’s. With an increasing Princedom, he needed to protect his newly aquired Meirionnydd from English threat. In 1282 however, Edward I sieged and overtook the Castle and for the next 20 years expanded the original infrastructure and created a village alongside; Llanfihangel-Pennant.

During the uprising of the Welsh against the English in 1294, a revolt, led by Welsh leader Madog ap Llewelyn saw the castle under threat again. They stormed the castle and burned it down. Edward I never repaired the structure and it was left to ruin.