Castles in Carmarthenshire
Carmarthen
Castle
Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire
There was a Norman castle here as early as 1094, though perhaps in a
different location. By 1105 the current castle occupied its perch on
an outcrop above the River Tywi. The original motte was augmented by
stone defenses in the early 13th century. The curtain wall was added
later in that century, and a gatehouse and south-west tower in the 14th
century. Carmarthen was sacked by Owain Glyndwr in 1405, and later passed
to Edmund Tewdwr, father of the future Henry VII. In the late 18th century
the castle was converted to use as a prison.
Carreg
Cennen Castle
In Trapp, near Llandeilo, Dyfed, Tel. 0558 822291
A 13th century ruin atop a sheer cliff, Carreg Cennen is one of the
most dramatically sited of Welsh castles. Its a stiff climb, but worth
it just for the atmosphere. The site may well have been used by the
Romans, as finds of Roman coins and even earlier skeletons have been
made here. Lord Rhys (Rhys of Deheubarth) built a more permanent castle
here in the late 12th century, though it was later taken by Edward I
of England in 1277.
The Welsh
castle was rebuilt in impressive style by John Giffard. Several towers
and portions of the curtain wall still stand, albeit in a crumbling
state. much of the interior buildings have been badly damaged, a result
of military action in the Wars of the Roses. One unusual feature of
Carreg Cennen is the natural limestone cave beneath the castle, reached
by walled passage. More
photos of Carreg Cennen.
Castell
Du (Sennybridge Castle)
At Sennybridge, Carmarthenshire, A40, on private land.
Native Welsh castle built c1260 has only fragments surviving: a tower
and curtain wall.
Dinefwr
Castle
1 mile west of Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire
The castle is sited on a hilltop overlooking the Tywi valley, providing
wonderful views. Legend tells that the first castle at Dinefwr was built
by Rhopdri Mawr in the 9th century. That early fortress may have been
dismantled at the orders of Llewelyn the Great and the present stone
castle built in the early 13th century. Dinefwr passed to the English
crown in 1276. A large round keep stands within a curtain wall, and
a round tower in the north-west of the inner ward also survives relatively
intact, while some of the residential buildings within the inner ward
have been partly restored.
Dryslwyn
Castle
Five miles west of Llandeilo, B4297 from A40 or B4300. Cadw. Open site.
Built c1250 by Welsh lords on steep hill. Scant remains of a hall and
keep walls survive of the castle besieged and undermined by Edward I.
Kidwelly
Castle 
Kidwelly Castle is under the care of Cadw.
In the town of Kidwelly on the A484. Tel. 01554 890104.
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.
Laugharne
Castle 
At Laugharne, Carmarthenshire sited on the Taf River estuary. Access
from A4066 St Clears. Cadw. Tel. 01994 427906.
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.
Llandovery
Castle
In the town of Llandovery, A40, overlooking the River Bran. Open access.
Small ruin on the hill of a motte, built c 1100. It changed hands a
number of times between the Welsh and English.
Llangadog
At Llangadog, A4069. Cadw. May be viewed from road or footpath.
Motte and bailey earthworks with modern house in centre.
Llansteffan
Castle
In Llansteffan, Dyfed, Tel. 0267 83230
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.
St
Clears Castle
½ mile from St Clears, A40/A477. Free access.
11th century Norman castle with only the remains of an large earthwork,
ditch, and square bailey surviving.
Newcastle
Emlyn
On A484, southeast of Cardigan.
Castle remains consist of some walls and a gatehouse that was an administrative,
rather than defensive, building. It was blown up during the Civil War.
CASTLES
OF WALES
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Photo Credits - Kidwelly courtesy of Cadw, Laugharne is © Gareth James, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence
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