Carreg Cennen Castle

Carreg Cennen Castle stands on a high limestone outcrop above the River Cennen in Carmarthenshire. The site commands sweeping views over the surrounding countryside and the Brecon Beacons National Park. A native Welsh castle once occupied the rock, possibly begun by The Lord Rhys in the 12th century. English forces took control after Edward I’s conquest of Wales in 1277. The present castle was largely built by John Giffard and his son in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. The castle’s six towers, including a twin-towered gatehouse, enclose a square inner ward. The gatehouse acted as the main strongpoint, since the site lacks a traditional keep. A vaulted passage leads from the inner ward down to a natural cave beneath the castle. Freshwater springs in the cave provided a reliable water supply during dry periods. The castle was slighted after the Wars of the Roses to prevent further military use. Visitors climb a steep path from Castell Farm to reach the castle. The farmyard still houses agricultural buildings and rare breeds of cattle and sheep. A converted threshing barn serves as a tearoom and shop. The surrounding cliffs and rock-cut ditches add to the dramatic setting. The castle’s ruins and the cave below offer glimpses of its layered history.