Trip to Snowdonia, Wales

Sunday 20th September 2009

This morning we all awoke a little stiff from the previous day’s excursions. At breakfast it was decided that something a little less strenuous was called for. It was decided we would drive back to Llangollen and walk a seven mile route starting at Llangollen. Steve Hallet had decided that after hurting his knee the previous day he was going to sit this one out. We left him heading for the nearest newspaper stand and the park!

The walk started in the town and headed onto the canal. We walked along part of the canal and then along woodland and lanes. We then climbed to the castle ruins of Dinas Bran.

“Dinas Bran” is variously translated as “Crow Castle”, “Crow City”, “Hill of the Crow”, or “Bran’s Stronghold”. The castle first appears in 12th century historical documents as part of a medieval piece entitled “Fouke le Fitz Waryn”, or “The Romance of Fulk Fitzwarine”. While this work claimed that the castle, known as “Chastiel Bran”, was in ruin as early as 1073, the remains we see today date to the occupation of the princes of Powys Fadog in the mid 13th century. Possibly, the Chastiel Bran mentioned in the romance was a Norman timber castle, but nothing of substance supports this conjecture. However, the encompassing ditch and earthen embankments, which enclose the southern and eastern portions of the stone fortress, do date to the Iron Age. They remind us that this hilltop had strategic value long before the princes of Powys, or the Normans, ventured into the region. Interestingly, the word, “Dinas”, has its origins in the Iron Age as well, and is found in the names of Iron Age hillforts throughout Wales. [Ed – as far as I’m concerned Dinas what I have after breakfast!]

Lunch was taken at the ruins and we then made our way back to the town for a well deserved ice cream before the drive home. A very enjoyable weekend with some excellent weather throughout!

Report – Rob

Pictures – Rob, Judith and Owen