Castles · South Wales
Carmarthen Castle
Carmarthen Castle — Grade I listed castle in Carmarthen, Wales, UK.
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
Getting there & planning your visit
Carmarthen Castle is located in South Wales, with the nearest railway station being Carmarthen, just 0.3 km away. The postcode for the castle is SA31 1AD. Accessibility is limited for wheelchair users.
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°.
Photo gallery
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.
Official information
Carmarthen Castle is a historic site that offers visitors a glimpse into the past with its medieval architecture and ruins. The castle is a significant landmark in Carmarthen, providing insights into the region's history and heritage.
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
- District
- Carmarthenshire
- Parish
- Carmarthen
- Postcode
- SA31 1AD
- Parliamentary constituency
- Caerfyrddin
- Established
- 1105
- Nearest railway station
- Carmarthen — 0.3 km
Sources
- wikidata: Q14906524 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Carmarthen Castle (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Prif borth Castell Caerfyrddin 03.JPG (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
General Nott Monument and railings
Memorials & monuments · 0.0 km
Sir William Nott
Memorials & monuments · 0.0 km
Lyric Theatre
Theatres · 0.1 km
Carmarthen Public Rooms
Theatres · 0.1 km
Lyric Theatre
Open-air theatres · 0.1 km
Second Boer War memorial
Memorials & monuments · 0.1 km
Hotel Spilman
Hotels · 0.1 km
Carmarthen Bridge
Historic bridges · 0.2 km
Quay wall and bollards
Marinas · 0.2 km
The Carmarthen Dragon
Public art & sculpture · 0.2 km
Oriel King Street Gallery
Galleries · 0.2 km
Oriel Myrddin
Galleries · 0.3 km
Nearby
📷 5Memorials & monuments · South Wales
General Nott Monument and railings
General Nott Monument and railings — Grade II listed building-listed memorial in wales-south, United Kingdom.
📷 3Memorials & monuments · South Wales
Sir William Nott
Sir William Nott is a memorial in the United Kingdom.
📷 3📷 4Theatres · South Wales
Carmarthen Public Rooms
Carmarthen Public Rooms — a Grade II-listed theatre in wales-south, United Kingdom.
📷 5Open-air theatres · South Wales
Lyric Theatre
Lyric Theatre — a open-air theatre in wales south.
📷 4Memorials & monuments · South Wales
Second Boer War memorial
Second Boer War memorial is a memorial in the United Kingdom.
Where to eat & stay near Carmarthen Castle
Places to stay
📷 5
📷 5
📷 7Hotels · South Wales
Rose and Crown
Rose and Crown — a hotel in wales south.
📷 5B&Bs · South Wales
Castle Hotel
Castle Hotel — a bed-and-breakfast in wales south.
📷 5Campsites · South Wales
Towy View Touring Caravan & Camping Park
Towy View Touring Caravan & Camping Park — a campsite in wales south.
📷 5Places to eat & drink
📷 3
📷 3Historic pubs · Mid Wales
The Bunch of Grapes
The Bunch of Grapes — Historic pub — listed building or notable heritage status.
📷 5
Restaurants · South Wales
The Bridge
The Bridge — a restaurant in wales south.
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Caerphilly Castle — castle in Caerphilly, Wales.
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Abergavenny Castle
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Allt y Gaer
Allt y Gaer — Site of Special Scientific Interest in Wales.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Carmarthen Castle?
- Carmarthen Castle is in South Wales, United Kingdom (postcode SA31 1AD), in the parish of Carmarthen.
- What is Carmarthen Castle?
- Carmarthen Castle — Grade I listed castle in Carmarthen, Wales, UK.
- How do I get to Carmarthen Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Carmarthen, about 0.3 km away. Drivers can use postcode SA31 1AD.
- 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.