Castles · South Wales
Dinefwr Castle
Also known as: Castell Dinefwr
In or near Llanfynydd.
Dinefwr Castle — Grade I listed building in Llandeilo.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
.jpg){kind=link}
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1.5 h–3 h
- Nearest railway station
- Ffairfach · 1.8 km
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit Dinefwr Castle, the nearest railway station is Ffairfach, located 1.8 km away. The postcode for sat-nav is SA19 6PF. Please note that wheelchair accessibility is limited.
About
Dinefwr Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom — fortified architecture from the medieval, Tudor, or Victorian-revival period. Heritage designation: scheduled monument. Wikidata describes it as: "Grade I listed building in Llandeilo". Coordinates: 51.8768°, -4.0185°.
Photo gallery
Heritage listing
Dinefwr Castle (Welsh: Castell Dinefwr; also known as Old Dynevor Castle) is a ruined castle overlooking the River Towy near the town of Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It lies on a ridge on the northern bank of the Towy, with a steep drop of one hundred feet to the river. Dinefwr was the chief seat of the Dinefwr dynasty of the Kingdom of Deheubarth. The castle is a Grade I listed building.
From Cadw under OGL v3.
Official information
Dinefwr Castle is a historical site featuring ancient semi-natural woodlands and the ruins of a castle that was once the capital of Deheubarth. Visitors can explore the diverse flora and fauna of the area, including veteran trees and various bird species, while enjoying scenic views of the River Tywi.
From the Wikipedia article
Dinefwr Castle (Welsh: Castell Dinefwr; also known as Old Dynevor Castle) is a ruined castle overlooking the River Towy near the town of Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It lies on a ridge on the northern bank of the Towy, with a steep drop of one hundred feet to the river. Dinefwr was the chief seat of the Dinefwr dynasty of the Kingdom of Deheubarth. The castle is a Grade I listed building.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
Tradition relates that a castle was first constructed on this site by Rhodri the Great, but no archaeological remains have been dated from this period. Dinefwr later became the chief seat of Rhodri's grandson Hywel Dda, first ruler of Deheubarth and later king of most of Wales. Rhys ap Gruffydd, ruler of Deheubarth from 1155 to 1197, is thought to have rebuilt the castle. Giraldus Cambrensis tells a story about a plan by King Henry II of England to assault the castle during a campaign against Rhys. One of Henry's most trusted followers was sent on reconnaissance, guided by a local Welsh cleric, who was asked to lead him to the castle by the easiest route, but instead took the most difficult…
Description
The present castle is entered via a fortified entrance protected by a restored length of battlement. The short path from the car park gives an extensive view of the Towy valley. The door admits the visitor to the main space enclosed by the walls, from which there are several stairs to the main battlements and towers. A narrow spiral staircase leads to a high tower, which gives extensive views of the deer park to the north and the Towy valley to the south and west. The castle keep is entered via the cellar at its base, but access to the circular walkway at the top can only be made via the battlement walk. Details such as the well and several garderobes are visible in the structure. There is…
Visiting
The castle is now partially owned by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (who do not charge for entry) and is managed by Cadw but lies within Dinefwr Park, which is owned by the National Trust. Visitors who wish to see the castle and are driving there, may park in the town and walk up to the Castle using the free Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales access route. If visitors walk or park in the National Trust site and are not National Trust, Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales or Cadw members there is a site entrance charge. There is a small free car park near the castle for disabled badge holders, but it can only be reached by a rough track through a field. Permission can be…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 51.8768, -4.0185
- District
- Carmarthenshire
- Parish
- Cyngor Bro Dyffryn Cennen
- Postcode
- SA19 6PF
- Parliamentary constituency
- Caerfyrddin
- Nearest railway station
- Ffairfach — 1.8 km
- Opening
- Open access reserve
- Official site
- www.welshwildlife.org
Sources
- wikidata: Q2713117 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Dinefwr Castle (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Dinefwr Castle (30551882917).jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Dynevor Castle
Mountains & hills · 0.0 km
Dinefwr Castle hillfort
Vineyards · 0.1 km
Dinefwr Park
Parks · 0.4 km
Roman Fort Complex
Archaeological sites · 0.8 km
Dinefwr Castle Museum
Museums · 0.9 km
The Rookery
Mountains & hills · 1.0 km
St Tyfei's Church, Llandyfeisant
Historic churches · 1.2 km
Ysgol Bro Dinefwr
Natural landmarks · 1.3 km
Birds Hill
Mountains & hills · 1.3 km
Llandeilo Bridge
Historic bridges · 1.6 km
St Teilo's Church, Llandeilo
Historic churches · 1.8 km
Llandeilo Literary Institute
Historic libraries · 1.9 km
Nearby
📷 5📷 5Vineyards · South Wales
Dinefwr Castle hillfort
Dinefwr Castle hillfort — a UK vineyard in wales south, producing English or Welsh wine from cool-climate grape varieties.
📷 3📷 3Archaeological sites · South Wales
Roman Fort Complex
Roman Fort Complex — a archaeological in wales-south, United Kingdom.
📷 3Museums · South Wales
Dinefwr Castle Museum
Dinefwr Castle Museum — a museum in wales-south, United Kingdom.
📷 5Where to eat & stay near Dinefwr Castle
Places to stay
📷 7
📷 5
📷 5Campsites · South Wales
Towy Valley Caravan Park
Towy Valley Caravan Park — a campsite in wales south.
📷 5Campsites · South Wales
Black Mountain Fishing and Camping
Black Mountain Fishing and Camping — a campsite in wales south.
📷 5
📷 5Caravan parks · Mid Wales
Abermarlais Camping and Caravan
Abermarlais Camping and Caravan — a caravan park in wales south.
Places to eat & drink
📷 5
📷 3
Restaurants · South Wales
The Bridge
The Bridge — a restaurant in wales south.
📷 5
📷 5Restaurants · South Wales
The Cockleshell
The Cockleshell — a restaurant in wales south. Cuisine: british. Brand: Toby Carvery.
📷 5More castles in this region
📷 5Castles · South Wales
Caerphilly Castle
Caerphilly Castle — castle in Caerphilly, Wales.
📷 3Castles · South Wales
Abergavenny Castle
Abergavenny Castle — Grade I listed building in Abergavenny. Ruined castle in the market town of Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales.
📷 3
📷 3Castles · South Wales
Allt y Gaer
Allt y Gaer — Site of Special Scientific Interest in Wales.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Dinefwr Castle?
- Dinefwr Castle is in South Wales, United Kingdom (postcode SA19 6PF), in the parish of Cyngor Bro Dyffryn Cennen.
- What is Dinefwr Castle?
- Dinefwr Castle — Grade I listed building in Llandeilo.
- How do I get to Dinefwr Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Ffairfach, about 1.8 km away. Drivers can use postcode SA19 6PF.
- Who owns Dinefwr Castle?
- Dinefwr Castle is owned by Cadw.
- Is Dinefwr Castle a listed building?
- Dinefwr Castle is officially recognised as scheduled monument listed.
- Does Dinefwr Castle charge admission?
- Dinefwr Castle typically charges admission. Check the official site for current ticket prices and opening hours.
- How do I get to Dinefwr Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Ffairfach, about 1.8 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode SA19 6PF.