http://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/news/i/34123/ Castle work set to start 22 August 2013 Work on a multi-million-pound development at Harlech Castle is set to begin at the beginning of next month. Planning permission to turn the ground floor of the former Castle Hotel into a visitor centre, five self-contained visitor apartments, and café, and to build a new bridge from the visitor centre to the castle, were given the go-ahead in March. Contractors RL Davies & Son Ltd (RLD Con-struction) of Colwyn Bay have been appointed to the project and will start work on 2 September. The first phase of the work will see the demolition of the annex of the former hotel, which used to house a tea room. Alterations inside will include a new tea room and visitor centre. Work will take place through the winter and the castle will remain open to visitors through-out the work. It is hoped that the new bridge will be ready to be installed next summer. The work is expected to take 12 months to complete. Cadw is also looking at ideas and designs for enhancing the visitor experience of the castle gatehouse as the next phase of work. Parking at the castle will be limited while the work is ongoing and new signs will be in place to guide visitors to other car parks in the town. A park-and-ride service has also been piloted but that will stop on 2 September. The park-and-ride runs from the swimming pool up St David’s Hill and along the high street to the castle. Cadw added that they hope to repeat the service next summer. Events will also be taking place at the castle next month. On 15 and 16 Septmber, the Ardudwy Knights will be exploring the story of Owain Glyndŵr. The castle currently attracts 93,000 visitors a year but it is hoped that the new development will help attract 145,000 visitors. Click here for the full story, or see this week's Meirionydd edition of the Cambrian News
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