From archaeological evidence, our first castle, Castell Carn Fadryn, shows building and updating of defensive structures over more than a thousand years in three different periods. Stood on top of a mountain on the Llyn peninsula, the first construction was an Iron Age hillfort which was built around 300 BCE (Before the Common Era). This fort then underwent reinforcement and was extended 200 years later in 100 BCE. The third phase saw the construction of one of the earliest medieval Welsh stone castles, built by one of the sons of Owain Gwynedd in 1188. Adding to the history of this ancient site, the stone buildings and wall were set within the remains of the Iron Age hillfort. Unusually, the castle was built as an expression of power during the struggle for authority between the Son’s of Gwynedd and not in opposition to the invading English. On a clear day, standing in Castell Carn Fadryn, you can get an amazing view of Anglesey, Cardigan Bay, Snowdonia and even the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland.