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The Great Britain Guide

Castles · South Wales

Carmarthen Castle

Norman & medieval♿ Wheelchair: limited

Carmarthen Castle — Grade I listed castle in Carmarthen, Wales, UK.

Carmarthen Castle, castles in South Wales

Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence

Plan your visit

Typical visit
1.5 h–3 h
Nearest railway station
Carmarthen · 0.3 km
  • Family-friendly
  • Limited wheelchair access

About

Carmarthen Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom — fortified architecture from the medieval, Tudor, or Victorian-revival period. Records date its origin to 1105. Heritage designation: scheduled monument. Wikidata describes it as: "Grade I listed castle in Carmarthen, Wales, UK". Coordinates: 51.8560°, -4.3057°.

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Heritage listing

Carmarthen Castle (Welsh: Castell Caerfyrddin) is a ruined castle in Carmarthen, West Wales, UK. First built by Walter, Sheriff of Gloucester in the early 1100s, the castle was captured and destroyed on several occasions before being rebuilt in stone during the 1190s. The castle was captured by Owain Glyndŵr in 1405. Henry VII's father died at Carmarthen Castle in 1456. During the Wars of the Roses the castle fell to William Herbert and, during the Civil War, was captured by Parliamentary forces. It was ‘slighted’ (dismantled) by order of Oliver Cromwell in the mid 1600s. It has been used as the site of Carmarthen's jail until the 1920s.

From Cadw under OGL v3.

From the Wikipedia article

Carmarthen Castle (Welsh: Castell Caerfyrddin) is a ruined castle in Carmarthen, West Wales, UK. First built by Walter, Sheriff of Gloucester in the early 1100s, the castle was captured and destroyed on several occasions before being rebuilt in stone during the 1190s. The castle was captured by Owain Glyndŵr in 1405. Henry VII's father died at Carmarthen Castle in 1456. During the Wars of the Roses the castle fell to William Herbert and, during the Civil War, was captured by Parliamentary forces. It was ‘slighted’ (dismantled) by order of Oliver Cromwell in the mid 1600s. It has been used as the site of Carmarthen's jail until the 1920s. The remains of the castle were given a Grade I heritage listing in 1954 and is currently a tourist attraction and site of the town's Tourist Information Centre.

Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.

Background

Description

The first castle on its current site at Carmarthen is variously dated to 1104, circa 1106 or 1109 and ascribed to Walter of Gloucester, though Ludlow suggests it is more likely that the castle had already been built when Walter was recorded (in 1109) as being sent to defend Carmarthen. An earlier fort existed 1.4 km south at Rhyd-y-gors, built by William FitzBaldwin of Devon on behalf of English King William II, probably after the death of the local Welsh King Rhys ap Tewdwr in 1093. It was last mentioned in 1106. Pembroke Castle had been established in 1102. The castle, originally a timber motte and bailey structure, is believed to have been rebuilt in stone in the later years of the 1100s.

Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Coordinates
51.8560, -4.3057
Parish
Carmarthen
Postcode
SA31 1AD
Parliamentary constituency
Caerfyrddin
Established
1105
Nearest railway station
Carmarthen0.3 km

Sources

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Carmarthen Castle?
Carmarthen Castle is in South Wales, United Kingdom (postcode SA31 1AD), in the parish of Carmarthen.
When was Carmarthen Castle built?
Built or established in 1105.
Is Carmarthen Castle a listed building?
Carmarthen Castle is officially recognised as scheduled monument listed.
Does Carmarthen Castle charge admission?
Carmarthen Castle typically charges admission. Check the official site for current ticket prices and opening hours.
How do I get to Carmarthen Castle?
The nearest railway station is Carmarthen, about 0.3 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode SA31 1AD.