Castles in Dyfed
(Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire)
Manorbier is a hidden gem, an 11th-century Norman castle in a beautiful coastal location between Tenby and Pembroke. It was here in 1146 that the medieval scholar and historian Gerald Cambrensis (Gerald of Wales) was born.
Manorbier, Dyfed, Wales, SA70 7SY
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Heritage Highlight: Birthplace of Gerald of Wales (Geraldus Cambrensis)
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Narberth Castle is a 12th and 13th-century Norman fortress later turned into a Tudor mansion by the Welsh hero Sir Rhys ap Thomas. The castle is said to stand on the site of an ancient Welsh palace of Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed, whose adventures form a major part of the Mabinogion collection of folk tales.
Castle Terrace, Narberth, Dyfed, Wales
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Heritage Highlight: The former palace of Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed?
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Otherwise known as Castell Nanhyfer, Nevern Castle is a motte and bailey castle sited within an Iron Age promontory fort, on a steep hillside above an attractive village. The large triangular bailey is much overgrown, but the castle mound is easily viewed. The castle was originally Welsh, then Norman, then was recaptured by the Welsh.
Nevern, Dyfed, Wales
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Heritage Highlight: 12th-century Welsh tower
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Newcastle Emlyn Castle occupies a steep spur of land above the River Teifi. The castle remains consist of stone walls and an impressive 14th century gatehouse set in a walled inner court measuring roughly 45 metres by 25 metres. To the west is an outer court with earthwork defenses. The castle served mainly an administrative, rather than defensive, purpose, though it did see action on several occasions, and was badly damaged during the Civil War.
Castle Street, Newcastle Emlyn, Dyfed, Wales
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Heritage Highlight: 14th century Great Gatehouse
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The castle and the surrounding borough of Newport were founded around 1135 by Robert FitzMartin, the Anglo-Norman Lord of Cemmaes. The first castle at Newport was an earthwork fortification topped b a timber palisade. Access to the sea made it easy to for the FitzMartins to supply Newport Castle from England.
Newport, Dyfed, Wales
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Pembroke Castle is one of the finest castles, not only in Wales but in all of Britain, a testament to the wealth and prestige of the medieval Earls of Pembroke and the importance of Pembroke itself in the medieval period. It is also known as the birthplace of Henry VII, the first Tudor king.
Pembroke, Dyfed, Wales, SA71 4LA
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Heritage Highlight: Birthplace of Henry VII
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Piction Castle is one of the foremost stately homes of Wales. This 13th-century castle was transformed into an opulent 18th-century country house by the Philipps family, who owned the property for over 800 years. Surrounding the house is a superb 40-acre garden.
Picton, Haverfordwest, Dyfed, Wales, SA62 4AS
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Heritage Highlight: Based around a 13th century fortified house
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Ruins of an 11th century Norman castle with only the remains of a large earthwork, ditch, and square bailey surviving. The castle was recorded as being destroyed by 1215. The castle consists of an oval mound, 38 metres by 48 metres, rising 12 metres, with a flattened top about 10 by 15 metres wide.
Bridge Street, St Clears, Dyfed, Wales
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High on a hill above Tenby harbour stand the remains of 13th century castle walls along with a ruined gate and tower. The first castle here was built by an unknown Norman lord sometime before 1153, when it was captured by the Welsh under Lord Rhys. That first castle was defended by earthen banks and ditches. It may stand on the site of a yet earlier castle founded by the Welsh in the 9th century.
Castle Hill, Tenby, Dyfed, Wales, SA70 7BP
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Heritage Highlight: 13th century Watchtower
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Trefilan Castle is a large motte south of the parish church of Trefilan, begun by Maelgwyn, the son of Lord Rhys. It was finished by Maelgwyn's son, Maelgwyn Fychan, about 1233. It was probably used by the Welsh rulers of central Ceredigion as an administrative centre.
B4342, Trefilan, Dyfed, Wales
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