StoneRoad2013's photos with the keyword: Afon Dysynni

CADW notice alongside the entrance gate to Castell y Bere. It's a bit difficult to not climb on the monument, as some of the walls are very short. I think they mean don't climb up the towers nor on the curtain wall - there's a goodly drop onto rocks in most places.

Look closely at the stem in the centre - it is actually two ash saplings twisted around each other. If they were to survive [the area has ash-dieback disease] and grow to full tree size, that would make for some very interesting grain patterns.

The first of three sets of steps / bridges that combine into the entrance for Castell y Bere. Definitely would have been difficult obstacles for an attacking army. However, the wooden sections are in need of repairs / replacement. Wet Wales and passing time have combined to reduce some pieces of the timber to fragments - nothing overtly dangerous, and some repairs have been already been done. However, I hate open riser stairs like these !

Apart from the strategic value of location this hillock had another advantage - a water supply. Not sure if this a true well, an enclosed spring or merely a cistern collecting rain water draining from within the castle. It looks less than salubrious to modern eyes, but frequent drawing of water would prevent stagnation, even if it is just a cistern. The fence is very necessary, as the ground level on that side is almost level with the top of the wall - and there's nothing to help you climb out.

Looking towards the North Tower buildings from by the threshold to the South Tower complex. On the right of this image is another sample of the local Welsh rock poking up through the thin soil.

The first of three sections to the South Tower complex, possibly built to provide additional accommodation. Note the walls are substantial.

Infographic showing what Castell y Bere looked like, around 1240 {I think}

Looking back [South & East] from the North Tower area

What looks like a pillar case in what is probably the undercroft of the North Tower. Note that the area to the right is native Wales / bare rock on which the castle was built.

Having walked a little was northwards within the courtyard, and climbed to the upper level, it is possible to see much more of the Afon Dysynni valley that lies around the castle. Definitely rich, flat and fertile farmland - compared to the surrounding hills.

Remains of the Round Tower to the left, so looking at the SW Corner of the curtain wall.

The surviving foundations and lower part of the round tower, which over looks the entrance to Castell y Bere. The walls are very thick, and the lower part [foundations] may have the noticeable slope as a form of buttressing.

The southern / main entrance to Castell y Bere was exceptionally heavily built for the time, with two drawbridges over dry moats and a couple of Barbican type towers, plus the round tower overlooks the same area.

There were quite a few clumps of this plant growing on the castle hill. Not fully convinced, but I think that it is possibly a pink rather than blue version of Wall Speedwell [Veronica arvensis], actually, the leaves aren't quite right either. I'll have another look in my Keble Martin.

Tucked away on the side of the castle hill were some quite luscious blackberries.

The info board at the entrance to Castell y Bere, Gwynedd. The hillock seems much more prominent in the landscape without the modern trees cloaking the shape. Still plenty of black cattle and sheep around here, as the valley of the Afon Dysynni is still a very lush agricultural landscape, with plenty of wildlife / wild flowers.