Exploring Castell Cricieth

Visiting Castell Cricieth, First Impressions

I had not really heard of Castell Cricieth before visiting my Dad at Haven Hafan, and as I needed something to do around the Solstice, so I began looking at nearby landmarks. Driving up, I was presented with a choice, a steep walk or a short drive. I initially explored the beach area, then later drove up and parked close to the entrance.

It is worth noting that this was mid December. During peak seasons parking will likely be busy and pay and display may be required. Entry on the day would have cost around £…, but I decided instead to join Cadw. The annual membership was £63 at the time of writing and gives access to roughly twenty seven sites across Wales. If I visit even half of those, it becomes excellent value.

Parking is an option near the beach

Inside the Castle

Inside, there was information describing this as the “Prince’s castle”. The lady at reception reinforced this identity, which added a subtle sense of status to the visit. Even small details like this shape how a site is remembered. It was not just a ruin, it had a title and a narrative attached to it.

Experimenting with 360 Capture

I had planned to record several 360 viewpoints to experiment with immersive storytelling. Unfortunately, I had forgotten my monopod, which forced me to be creative with placement and angles. In hindsight this was not a setback but an interesting constraint. I began thinking more deliberately about vantage points, corners, and overlooks that could later become virtual hotspots for a remote visitor.

Rather than capturing everything, I focused on a handful of positions that gave a sense of scale and orientation. These small decisions began to hint at how a lightweight VR or interactive experience might be built from simple field captures.

The Town and Its Surroundings

After leaving the main structure, I spent time walking through the nearby town. One of the most striking features was a beautifully designed town centre map that elegantly connected visitors to local points of interest. It was simple, attractive, and effective. It immediately made me think of Warrington and how something similar could strengthen connections to overlooked heritage areas.

A really nice local heritage map

Across the road was a local art shop. Speaking with the gentleman inside, I learned they frame artwork for both tourists and residents. Given the proximity of the castle and the presence of castle themed art, I initially assumed there might be a partnership or shared initiative. He explained there was no formal relationship. That absence itself was interesting. The potential for art led workshops, exhibitions, or community collaboration felt obvious, even if some of this may already exist in informal ways.

The local framing shop contained some gems

There were also smaller historical traces throughout the town, including memorials and signage that many might walk past without noticing. History is rarely hidden, but it often fades into the background unless we actively look for it.

Love this art work

Post Visit Research

Before leaving, I purchased a book about the castle. Field visits often spark curiosity that only deepens afterwards. The physical experience gives context, but reading fills in the layers that are not immediately visible on site.

Ideas Sparked During the Visit

Walking the incline towards the castle made me reflect on accessibility. I began to wonder how difficult the approach would be for someone using a wheelchair, or assisting another person who required mobility support. My suspicion is that many would simply not attempt the climb.

This led me to think about the role of technology within visitor centres and remote access. A virtual reality or interactive experience could allow people to explore the structure without the physical barriers. That idea raises further questions. Should such experiences be limited to the site itself, or could they also serve remote audiences who may never visit in person?

Another thought centred on local schools. How strongly are nearby students connected to this space, and what activities or projects might already exist to build that connection? Heritage becomes more meaningful when it is part of everyday learning rather than an occasional trip.

There were other aspects to the history of the town as well. History is all around us, if we know how to look. Some of it is fading away, like the HRH memo, the plaque to recognise French resistance in WW2, plus a lot more. We can connect with it if we look for it.

A great tribute

In need of some TLC

Short Film

I created a short ninety second film to capture the atmosphere and preserve a visual memory of the visit. It serves as both documentation and a prompt for future storytelling experiments.

Closing Reflections

The visit felt worthwhile, both as a personal exploration and as part of a wider journey. Now that I am a Cadw member, I intend to explore many more Welsh castles and continue documenting these encounters. Each site offers a slightly different lens on landscape, memory, and community connection.

This forms part of my ongoing Castle Series, short field notes that explore how we experience castles and how digital tools might help people reconnect with overlooked heritage.