Edward I commissioned the castle, which was built from 1277 to 1282. Master Bertram, a Gascon engineer, began the work, and the master mason James of St George took over and stayed in charge. It is a concentric castle of limestone, diamond-shaped, with gatehouses at the corners of the square baileys rather than along the sides. The article gives no dimensions.
The inner ward held a great hall, kitchens, private apartments and a chapel, and the outer bailey held a granary, stables and a smithy. A three-sided moat protected it, with the River Clwyd on the fourth side. The river was straightened and dredged to form a navigable channel.
It was partly demolished in 1648 after the English Civil War. Cadw owns the ruin, which is Grade I listed and open to visitors.
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