Carmarthenshire's Castles

Carmarthenshire is steeped in myth and legend and home to some of the most authentic and atmospheric castles in Europe.

Laugharne Castle

Kidwelly Castle

Llandovery Castle

Some of Carmarthenshire’s ancient ruins are so well preserved that it’s like stepping back in time. The medieval magic of Carreg Cennen Castle is sure to cast a spell on you when you climb up to the ruined ramparts of the late 13th century fortress and soak up the 60 mile panoramic views.

Spectacular Carreg Cennen also boasts it own vaulted underground passageway which leads to a natural cave, a ghostly cavern deep beneath the fortifications, which may have been inhabited in prehistoric times.

The 11th century castle is the proud centerpiece of the historic town of Kidwelly while Dinefwr Castle stands high above the Tywi at Llandeilo. There are more historic treats in store at Llandovery, Dryslwyn and Carmarthen.

Llandovery Castle - Owain Glyndwr had just beaten the English army at Plynlimon, in a great battle in 1401. Henry IV’s army was in pursuit of Owain Glyndwr’s Welsh army, through the countryside, which bought them to the Llandovery area. The King’s army met a landowner called Llywelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan in Caio, the King insisted that he should help them find Glyndwr’s army’s secret camp, rumoured to be nearby. Llywelyn had two sons fighting for Glyndwr, and wasn’t going to give up his countrymen under any circumstances so he led the King and his army on a wild goose chase through the countryside, giving Glyndwr’s army a chance to escape to North Wales to regroup and recuperate. Henry VI figured out that Llywelyn wasn’t going to lead the army to Glyndwr, and dragged Llywelyn to the gallows outside Llandovery Castle. Llywelyn was slowly tortured outside the castle on October 9th 1401. His stomach was cut out and cooked in front of his eyes, he was then hung, drawn and quartered, he eventually dies after hours of torture and his remains were cut up, salted and sent to the four corners of Britain to warn off others from disobeying the King. Owain Glyndwr continued his campaign, but it eventually died out.

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