Carreg Cennen Castle (Cadw)CastleAn attack on the castle must have presented a daunting prospect. Drop dead gorgeous and also very clever. A killer combination. Attackers scaling the steep cliffs might as well have signed their own death warrants. The chances of returning alive were slim.
Carreg Cennen’s defences exploited the natural environment to great effect, glued to the sheer cliff-face on all sides. The stronghold led a chequered life however, falling into Welsh and English hands during the troubled medieval period.
The first masonry castle on this site was probably the work of the Lord Rhys in the late 12th century, but it is more than likely John Giffard, handed the fortress by Edward I in 1283, that we should thank for the castle we see today.
The end came in 1462 during the War of the Roses when the castle was vandalised by 500 Yorkist men brandishing not swords but picks and crowbars. It had been a Lancastrian hideout.Tir y Castell Farm, TrappLlandeiloCarmarthenshireSA19 6UAUnited Kingdom51.856248500000-3.936495100000http://www.showmewales.co.uk/?dms=3&venue=1014200
Carreg Cennen Castle (Cadw)
Castle, £3.50-£5.50
Carreg Cennen Castle - cadw
Carreg Cennen Castle - cadw
Details
An attack on the castle must have presented a daunting prospect. Drop dead gorgeous and also very clever. A killer combination. Attackers scaling the steep cliffs might as well have signed their own death warrants. The chances of returning alive were slim.
Carreg Cennen’s defences exploited the natural environment to great effect, glued to the sheer cliff-face on all sides. The stronghold led a chequered life however, falling into Welsh and English hands during the troubled medieval period.
The first masonry castle on this site was probably the work of the Lord Rhys in the late 12th century, but it is more than likely John Giffard, handed the fortress by Edward I in 1283, that we should thank for the castle we see today.
The end came in 1462 during the War of the Roses when the castle was vandalised by 500 Yorkist men brandishing not swords but picks and crowbars. It had been a Lancastrian hideout.
Opening Details
Open all the time
1 April - 31 October Daily 9.30am - 6.00pm. 1 November - 31 March Daily 9.30am - 5.00pm; Closed Christmas Day. The whole site is closed and the car park is locked at 6.30pm daily.
Prices
Prices valid from April 2019; Adult - £5.50 Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) - £16.00 Seniors £4.50 Juniors (Aged 5–17) / NUS / Armed Forces and Veterans - £3.50 Children under 5 - Free
Map reference: SN 667192 Lat: 51.85625 Long: -3.93650
South from Llandeilo on the A483 Swansea road; at the next village (Ffairfach) left at the mini roundabout where signed to the Castle (the right turn here is the A476 Llanelli road). Bus: 5km/3mls Llandeilo, route No 280/281, Carmarthen-Llandeilo/Llandovery. Bike: NCN Route No.47 (15km/9mls).
Parking: free
Accessible by Public Transport: 5 miles from Llandeilo station
Carreg Cennen Castle (Cadw)
Carreg Cennen Castle (Cadw)
email a friend
Plan route using Google maps
Local Accommodation
Gift shop
On-site light refreshments
Public toilets
Accepts groups
Children welcome
Dogs not accepted (except guidedogs)
Dogs accepted
Smoking not allowed
