Wales
Ceredigion

Castles

Aberystwyth Castle
in Aberystwyth, free entry
Late 13th century castle built by Edward I in his push to conquer Wales. The most interesting feature is the large north-west gate.

Caer Penrhos (Llanrhystyd)
Penrhos, Ceredigion
Legend has it that Caer Penrhos was begun by Cadwaladr, son of Grufudd ap Cynan, sometime around 1149. The castle is a ringwork fortification within an earlier Irin Age earthwork. The views are superb. See map

Cardigan Castle
Cardigan, Ceredigion
There was a motte and bailey castle here as early as 1093, though quite where that early Norman structure was located is a matter of conjecture. In 1110 Gilbert de Clare, who was responsible for quite a few of the early Norman castles in Wales, constructed a second fortification on the River Teifi.

Around 1170 Rhys ap Grufudd,Prince of Deheubarth, took control, and transformed Cardigan into the first Welsh-built stone castle. In 1176 Rhys held the first Eisteddfod, or festival celebrating Welsh culture, at Cardigan Castle.

The castle was taken and retaken over the years, as Welsh and Normans vied for supremacy, but it fell into disrepair until finally "slighted" (made uninhabitable) by Parliamentary forces in the English Civil War. Finally, in the 1880's a private mansion was built in the inner bailey, incorporating remains of the castle walls and buildings. See map

Castell Dinerth
Aberarth, Ceredigion
Dinerth was built by the de Clare family - as were so many other Welsh castles - sometime around 1110. It had not long existed befoire it was burned by Gruffydd ap Rees. That was just the beginning of a violent history, for over the next 90-odd years Dinert changed hands at least 6 times and was sacked twice more!

Finally in 1102 it was destroyed by Maelgwyn ap Rhys to prevent it falling into the possession of Llewelyn. The site is now overgrown, though the mounds of the castle and the defensive ditches are clearly visible. See map

Castell Gwallter
One half-mile west of Llandre, B4353, on private land but can be viewed.
Motte and bailey castle (no remains) with ditch and rampart surviving, built c1100. See map

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