Castles in Wales Gazetteer (E-L)

Browse this list of castles to visit in Wales by Region (click here for a regional map) or alphabetically (start on this page).

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W

Ewloe, Clwyd Ewloe Castle A Welsh D-shaped design ascribed to Llewelyn Fawr, with later stone wall added by Llewelyn ap Gruffyd in 1257. Ewloe, Hawarden, Clwyd, Wales Location: 2 m NW Hawarden, on B5125 OS map reference: SJ288 675 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Flint, Clwyd Flint Castle The "Gateway to Wales", begun by Edward I in 1277 for his first assault on the Kingdom of Gwynedd. A square plan with detached keep, on Edward's typical massive scale. Flint, Clwyd, Wales Location: off A548 OS map reference: SJ247 733 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Grosmont, Gwent Grosmont Castle Access to the castle is via a wooden bridge - the 14th century drawbridge no longer remains - over the empty moat. A ruined gatehouse and curtain wall partially survive along with the remains of a two-storey rectangular hall block and Gothic chimney pot. Henry III came to Grosmont in 1233 to quell a Welsh rebellion. Henry V (before he was crowned king) made use of the castle when stamping out the Glyndwr rebellion in 1405. Grosmont, Gwent, Wales Website: Grosmont Castle Cadw OS map reference: SO405 244 Photo: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Harlech, Gwynedd Location map Harlech Castle A concentric castle begun in 1283 during Edward I's final assault on Wales. Box-like structure atop a rocky hill. Captured by Owain Glyndwr, and much later by Parliamentary troops during the Civil War. Remarkably well preserved, it is hard to imagine that this grim grey castle was painted bright white when it was built. Harlech, Gwynedd, Wales, LL46 2YH Location: 11 m N Barmouth, on A496 Website: Harlech Castle Phone: 01766 780 552 Cadw OS map reference: SH581 312 Photo: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Haverfordwest, Dyfed Haverfordwest Castle Founded in mid 12th century by Gilbert de Clare, parts of the Norman walls remain. A curtain wall on the northwest side had walls 12 feet thick. Other ruins are two round towers, a chapel, a hall, and a dungeon. A museum and former prison governor's house is located in the ruins (medieval castle made into prison in 18th century). Haverfordwest, Dyfed, Wales Location: in the town of Haverfordwest (A40/A4076) on 80ft high hilltop above the River Cleddau. OS map reference: SM953 157 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Hawarden, Clwyd Hawarden Old Castle A Norman earthwork motte survives of an early castle that was later built in stone by Edward I c1280. A well preserved circular keep and scant remains of a rectangular tower remain from the stone castle. Hawarden, Clwyd, Wales Location: in a park SE of town centre on B5126 OS map reference: SJ319 653 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Hay-on-Wye, Powys Hay Castle Norman castle ruins (wall, gateway, tower) built c1200. Part of the ruins contain a bookstore. The castle was supposedly owned by Maud, wife of William de Braose. Hay-on-Wye, Powys, Wales Location: on B4350 OS map reference: SO229 423 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Mawdlam, Glamorgan Kenfig Castle Rubble footings in sand are all that remain of a 13th century castle with a curtain, hall, and keep. Mawdlam, Glamorgan, Wales Location: minor road 5 m NW Porthcawl off B4283 OS map reference: SS801 827 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Kidwelly, Glamorgan Location map Kidwelly Castle Kidwelly Castle has an inner ward with four round towers that provided domestic rooms. Later it was added onto and become a concentric castle with walls within walls. A hall block, chapel and outer stone curtain wall were added. A twin-towered gatehouse guarded the entrance. Guardrooms, a dungeon and other rooms were located here. In the 1500's more rooms were added in both the inner and outer wards. The castle fell into decay less than a hundred years later. Kidwelly, Glamorgan, Wales, SA17 5BG Location: off A484 Website: Kidwelly Castle Phone: 01554 890104 Cadw OS map reference: SN409 070 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Laugharne, Dyfed Location map Laugharne Castle This is a medieval castle that was transformed into an Elizabethan mansion. The outer ward has a large diamond-shaped curtain wall. A gatehouse is on the north side. The inner ward has two large round towers, connected by a Tudor hall. There is a small garden. King Street, Laugharne, Dyfed, Wales, SA33 4SA Location: on Taf River estuary. Access from A4066 St Clears. Website: Laugharne Castle Phone: 01994 427906 Cadw OS map reference: SN303 107 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Llanblethian, Glamorgan Llanblethian Castle A ruined rectangular building c1200, and later ruins of walls and keep, tower and gatehouse are all that remain. Llanblethian, Cowbridge, Glamorgan, Wales Location: off A48 OS map reference: SS989 737 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Llandovery, Dyfed Llandovery Castle Small ruin on the hill of a motte, built c 1100. It changed hands a number of times between the Welsh and English. Llandovery, Dyfed, Wales Location: off A4069, overlooking the River Bran OS map reference: SN767 342 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Llanilid, Glamorgan Llanilid Castle Raised ringwork and ditch of Norman wooden castle. Llanilid, Glamorgan, Wales Location: 2 m E Pencoed (near M4, exit 35) OS map reference: SS978 812 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Llansteffan, Dyfed Llansteffan Castle Perched on a headland overlooking Carmarthen Bay, this ruined 12th century castle shares the history of its site with an Iron Age fort built in approximately 600 BC. Much is in ruins, but the twin towered gatehouse still looms large. Llansteffan, Dyfed, Wales Location: off B4312 Website: Llansteffan Castle Cadw OS map reference: SN351 109 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Llantrisant, Glamorgan Llantrisant Castle Built c1245 by Richard de Clare, the remains consist of retaining wall pieces and a round keep. Llantrisant, Glamorgan, Wales Location: off A4119 OS map reference: ST047 829 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Llawhaden, Dyfed Llawhaden Castle This castle was at the centre of the bishops of St David's estates. Destroyed by Welsh in 1192, it was then rebuilt in stone in the 1200's and further reconstructed in the 14th century into a fortified mansion for the bishops. The ruins include a gatehouse, remains of a great hall, undercroft, chapel, and prison, surrounded by a ditch. Llawhaden, Dyfed, Wales Location: minor road off A4075 Website: Llawhaden Castle Cadw OS map reference: SN071 174 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering