The trip to Harlech Castle was just missing a soundtrack.  Seriously.  It was a fairy tale castle with incredible views.  It was drizzly the day we visited which meant we had the place nearly to ourselves.  The children scrambled up and down the towers and lookouts til they wore themselves out.  I don't think we could ever tire of this. We will leave here someday but I am so glad they got to do this.  

Harlech Castle has a bit of a checkered past.  It has played roles in many battles and changed hands many times over the years. It is in ruins today but you can see the footprint of the original interior rooms.   Castles like these are built around a large central courtyard and the rooms line the outside walls. (one room deep)  Sort of the opposite way regular homes are built. This means the actual usable interior space is much smaller than you would imagine looking from a distance.  The courtyard in larger structures could house local villagers as a fortress in case of attack. 

Enough of all that.  Come traipse through with us…