Wikipedia

List of castles in Wales

Further information on Welsh castles: Castles in Great Britain and Ireland

Wales is sometimes called the "castle capital of the world" because of the large number of castles in a relatively small area.[1][2] Wales had about 600 castles,[3] of which over 100 are still standing, either as ruins or as restored buildings. The rest have returned to nature, and today consist of ditches, mounds, and earthworks, often in commanding positions. Many of the sites in Wales are cared for by Cadw, the Welsh government's historic environment service.

Caernarfon Castle
Dolbadarn Castle
A reconstruction of Holt Castle in 1495

The four castles of Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Conwy, and Harlech together make up the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd World Heritage Site, considered to be the "finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe".[4]

Bridgend edit

Castles of which only earthworks, fragments, or nothing remains include:

Name Image Type Date Condition Ownership / Access Notes
Candleston Castle   Fortified manor house 14th century Ruined Only the tower remains of a C14 fortified manor house built by the de Cantelupes.[6]
Coity Castle   Keep and bailey 12th - 14th centuries Ruined Cadw Prominently sited above Heol West Plas, Coity Castle was founded in the early twelfth century and was granted to the Norman family of Turberville.[7]
Kenfig Castle   Keep and bailey 12th century Fragmentary remains The scanty remains of Kenfig Castle, a once great medieval fortress, rise from the dunes beside the Cynfig river.[8]
Llangynwyd Castle   12th century Fragmentary remains At Llangynwyd the remains of a once splendid medieval fortress are now reduced to scanty ruins and earthworks.[9]
Newcastle   Enclosure castle 12th century Ruined Cadw The castle's most outstanding feature is its complete Norman doorway, which greets the visitor approaching the castle from the south.[10]

Caerphilly edit

Name Image Type Date Condition Ownership / Access Notes
Caerphilly Castle   Concentric castle 13th - 14th century Ruined, with partial restoration Cadw Caerphilly is the largest medieval castle in Wales and one of the most impressive in Europe.[11]
Morgraig Castle   Enclosure castle 13th century Fragmentary remains Built between 1243 and 1267, the form of the castle is unusual and has no comparisons elsewhere. Debate has centred on whether the castle was built by the Welsh Lords of Senghenydd, or by the Norman Lords of Glamorgan.[12][13]
Ruperra Castle   Mock castle 17th century Ruined Private Built c1626 by Sir Thomas Morgan, steward to the Earl of Pembroke, and the latest example of the Elizabethan and Jacobean court taste for castellated mansions.[14]
Ruperra Motte   Motte and bailey 12th century Ruined, with partial restoration Ruperra Conservation Trust The site includes remains of a medieval castle motte on a much earlier Iron Age hillfort.[15]

Cardiff edit

Castles of which only earthworks or nothing remains include:

Name Image Type Date Condition Ownership / Access Notes
Cardiff Castle   Shell Keep 11th century Ruined, with partial restoration Cardiff Council Cardiff Castle was established within the walls of a mighty Roman fort by William I of England in about 1081.[16]
Castell Coch   Gothic Revival 19th century (Originally 11th century) Intact Cadw Castell Coch, located on a prominent wooded hillside overlooking the Taff Valley and the northern part of Cardiff, is a remarkable blend of solid medieval masonry and High Victorian Gothic fantasy.[17]
St Fagans Castle   Enclosure castle 13th century Ruined National Museum Wales The remains of the medieval castle at St Fagans include the southern part of a stone curtain wall. The enclosure is currently overlain by an Elizabethan mansion, with part of the surviving curtain serving to define its forecourt.[18]
Bishop's Palace, Llandaff   Concentric castle 13th century Ruined Cardiff Council Bishop's Palace is also known as Llandaff Castle or Bishop's Castle[19][20]

Carmarthenshire edit

Castles of which only earthworks or nothing remains include:[21]

  • Allt y Ferin
  • Banc y Bettws
  • Bank Llwyndomen
  • Castell Aber Cafwy
  • Castell Bach
  • Castell Du
  • Castell Llwyn Bedw
  • Castell Mawr
  • Castell Meurig
  • Castell Moel
  • Castell Nonni
  • Castell Pencader
  • Castell y Domen
  • Castell y Garreg
  • Castell y Rhingyll
  • Castelldwyran
  • Garn Fawr Motte
  • Glan Mynys Mount
  • Hendy Castle
  • Llanddowror Motte
  • Llandre Egremont
  • Llanelli Old Castle
  • Llanglydwen
  • Llanllwni Mount
  • Parc y Domen
  • Pen y Cnap
  • Pencastell
  • Roche Castle
  • St Clears Castle
  • Talley Mound
  • Tir y Dail Motte
  • Tomenlawddog
  • Tomenseba
  • Waun Ddu
  • Waun Tympath
Name Image Type Date Condition Ownership / Access Notes
Carmarthen Castle   Shell Keep 11th century Ruined Carmarthenshire Council Remains of the high medieval castle, including a shell keep, gatehouse and two towers, are obscured by modern buildings, notably County Hall.[22]
Carreg Cennen Castle   Enclosure castle 13th century Ruined Cadw Spectacularly set on a crag over the upper Cennen valley. A vaulted passage runs from the SE corner to a cave below E outer ward.[23]
Dinefwr Castle   12th century Cadw Dinefwr castle is thought to have been founded in the later twelfth century by Rhys ap Gruffudd, the Lord Rhys, and became known as the traditional capital of Dyfed.[24]
Dryslwyn Castle   13th century Cadw The shattered ruins of a medieval castle crown the ultimate summit of a dramatically isolated and abrupt hill rising from the Tywi floodplain.[25]
Kidwelly Castle   12th century and earlier Cadw Kidwelly Castle is an imposing ruin, situated on a scarp above the upper tidal limit of the Gwendraeth Fach Estuary, and considered one of the finest castles in Wales.[26]
Laugharne Castle   13th century Cadw The castle of Laugharne was built by the Anglo-Normans in the early twelfth century and is probably mentioned in 1116, but the existing ruins are thirteenth century and later.[27]
Llandovery Castle   11th century Llandovery Castle is a motte and bailey castle first mentioned in 1113. Extensive remains of masonry walls and towers occupy the motte, and a shell keep enclosure is represented by half-buried footings.[28]
Llansteffan Castle   12th century Cadw Prominently situated on a rocky promontery, overlooking the mouth of the Tywi. Substantial and impressive remains of a rubble masonry castle dating from the C12 to C15.[29]
Castell Moel   16th century Shattered ruins of a possibly 16th but probably 17th century house ruins; an early wing was incorporated into large cruciform renaissance house.[30]
Newcastle Emlyn Castle   13th & 15th century Shattered ruins remain of Newcastle Emlyn Castle. Excavation through the 1980s have revealed some details, but the castle is best known from a collection of medieval accounts and surveys.[31]

Ceredigion edit

Castles of which only earthworks or nothing remains include:[21]

Name Image Type Date Condition Ownership / Access Notes
Aberystwyth Castle   Concentric castle 13th century Ruined Aberystwyth Town Council Work on Aberystwyth Castle commenced in 1277 under Edward I and was completed in 1289. The castle remains have been much restored and now form part of a public park.[32]
Cardigan Castle   13th century Ceredigion County Council Situated on promontory overlooking Cardigan Bridge. Portions of the curtain wall survive in the tall embankment overlooking the bridge. There are remains of three semi-circular towers, the largest & most elaborate incorporated into the early C19 Castle Green House[33]

Conwy edit

Name Image Type Date Condition Ownership / Access Notes
Conwy Castle   13th century Ruined, with partial restoration Cadw
Deganwy Castle   13th century Earthworks remain
Dolwyddelan Castle   13th century Partially ruinous Cadw
Gwrych Castle   19th century Derelict, being restored Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust Mock Gothic
Gwydir Castle   16th century Intact Private

Denbighshire edit

Name Image Type Date Condition Ownership / Access Notes
Bodelwyddan Castle   19th century (Originally 15th)
Denbigh Castle   13th -14th century Cadw
Dinas Brân   12th century
Dyserth Castle   13th century
Rhuddlan Castle   13th century Cadw
Ruthin Castle   13th century Hotel
Twthill, Rhuddlan   11th century Cadw
Prestatyn Castle   12th century Motte & Bailey castle

Flintshire edit

Name Image Type Date Condition Ownership / Access Notes
Caergwrle Castle   13th century Cadw
Ewloe Castle   12th century Cadw
Flint Castle   13th century Cadw
Hawarden Castle   13th century
New Hawarden Castle   18th century
Mold Castle   12th century

Gwynedd edit

Name Image Type Date Condition Ownership / Access Notes
Bryn Bras Castle   19th century
Caernarfon Castle   13th century Ruined, with partial restoration Cadw
Carndochan Castle   13th century
Castell y Bere   13th century Cadw
Criccieth Castle   13th century Cadw
Dinas Emrys   12th century keep on early medieval site
Dolbadarn Castle   13th century Cadw
Harlech Castle   13th century Cadw
Penrhyn Castle   19th century Intact National Trust

Isle of Anglesey edit

Name Image Type Date Condition Ownership / Access Notes
Castell Aberlleiniog   12th century
Beaumaris Castle   13th century Cadw

Merthyr Tydfil edit

Name Image Type Date Condition Ownership / Access Notes
Morlais Castle   13th century
Cyfarthfa Castle   19th century

Monmouthshire edit

Name Image Type Date Condition Ownership / Access Notes
Abergavenny Castle   11th to 13th century
Betws Newydd Castle 11th century
Caldicot Castle   12th to 15th century
Castell Arnold   12th century Near Llanover
Chepstow Castle   11th to 14th century Cadw
Dingestow Castle   11th and 12th century Two castles, one 11th century the other 12th
Grosmont Castle   12th to 14th century Cadw
Llanfair Kilgeddin Castle   11th century
Llantrisant, Monmouthshire Castell Troggy   13th century
Llanvair Discoed Castle   12th to 13th century
Monmouth Castle   11th to 13th century Cadw
Newcastle 11th century
Penrhos Castle 11th century
Pen y Clawdd Castle 11th century Near Abergavenny
Raglan Castle   15th century Cadw
Skenfrith Castle   12th to 13th century Cadw
Tregrug Castle   13th century
Trellech Castle   12th century
Usk Castle   12th to 14th century
White Castle   11th to 13th century Cadw

Neath Port Talbot edit

Name Image Type Date Condition Ownership / Access Notes
Margam Castle   19th century Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
Neath Castle   12th century Neath Town Council

Newport edit

Castle with only earthworks, Wentloog Castle.

Name Image Type Date Condition Ownership / Access Notes
Caerleon Castle   11th to 13th century
Newport Castle   13th century Cadw
Pencoed Castle   13th century
Penhow Castle   12th century

Pembrokeshire edit

Name Image Type Date Condition Ownership / Access Notes
Benton Castle[34]   no date
Carew Castle   11th to 16th century Private / Open to the public
Cilgerran Castle   13th century Cadw
Haverfordwest Castle   12th century
Llawhaden Castle   12th to 14th century Cadw
Manorbier Castle   12th to 14th century Private / Open to the public
Narberth Castle   13th century
Newport Castle 19th century
Pembroke Castle   12th & 13th century Private / Open to the public
Picton Castle   12th century Picton Castle Trust
Roch Castle   12th century Private
Tenby Castle   13th century
Upton Castle 13th century Private
Wiston Castle   12th century Cadw
Wolf's Castle   Motte and bailey 11th century

Powys edit

Castles of which only earthworks, fragments or nothing remains include:

Name Image Type Date Condition Ownership / Access Notes
Aberedw Castle   11th to 13th century Two castles, one 11th and one 13th century
Blaenllyfni Castle   13th century
Brecon Castle   11th century Hotel
Bronllys Castle   12th century Cadw
Cefnllys Castle   Hill castle 12th century Fragmentary remains Three castles, an 11th century motte and bailey followed by two 13th century masonry castles.
Crickhowell Castle   12th century
Dolforwyn Castle   13th century Cadw
Hay Castle   11th or 12th century Hay Castle Trust
Llanthomas Castle Mound
 
Llanthomas Castle Mound
 11th or 12th century Private
Maesllwch Castle   19th century Private 19th-century house in castellated style
Montgomery Castle   13th century Cadw
Powis Castle   12th to 19th century National Trust
Tretower Castle   12th century Cadw

Rhondda Cynon Taf edit

Castles of which only earthworks, fragments or nothing remains include:

Castell Nos
Name Image Type Date Condition Ownership / Access Notes
Llantrisant Castle   13th century

Swansea edit

Name Image Type Date Condition Ownership / Access Notes
Loughor Castle   12th century Cadw
Oxwich Castle   16th century Cadw
Oystermouth Castle   12th & 13th century City and County of Swansea Council
Pennard Castle   12th century Pennard Golf Course
Penrice Castle   13th century Private
Swansea Castle   12th century Cadw
Weobley Castle   13th century Cadw

Vale of Glamorgan edit

Castles of which only earthworks, fragments or nothing remains include:

Name Image Type Date Condition Ownership / Access Notes
Barry Castle   13th - 14th century Cadw
Fonmon Castle   14th century Private
Hensol Castle   18th century Private
Ogmore Castle   12th century Cadw
Old Beaupre Castle   16th century Cadw
Penmark Castle   12th century
St Donat's Castle   12th century Atlantic College
St Quintins Castle   14th century Cadw

Wrexham edit

Name Image Type Date Condition Ownership / Access Notes
Chirk Castle   13th century National Trust
Holt Castle   13th century

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "The Less Traveled Britain: 5 Reasons to Visit Wales". independenttraveler.com. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  2. ^ "Wales: The Castle Capital of the World". Travelblog.com. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  3. ^ "Castle country". Wales.com. Welsh Government. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  4. ^ "Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd". UNESCO. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  5. ^ "Oldcastle, Nolton, Suggested Castle Site (401432)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  6. ^ Cadw. "Candleston Castle (11230)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Coity Castle (94504)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  8. ^ "Kenfig Castle (300455)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  9. ^ "Llangynwyd Castle (94553)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  10. ^ Cadw. "Newcastle Castle (GM063)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  11. ^ Cadw. "Caerphilly Castle (13539)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  12. ^ Cadw. "Castell Morgraig (13540)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  13. ^ Iorweth, Dylan (1997). "The Mystery at Morgraig". Heritage in Wales. 7: 17–19. (reproduced in the Castle Studies Group newsletter Vol. 11 p. 35-39)
  14. ^ Cadw. "Ruperra Castle (14069)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  15. ^ Cadw. "Ruperra Hillfort and Motte (GM511)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  16. ^ "Cardiff Castle (33)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  17. ^ "Castell Coch, Tongwynlais (93112)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  18. ^ "St Fagans Castle, Cardiff (300313)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  19. ^ "Llandaff". Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  20. ^ "Bishop's Castle (96079)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  21. ^ a b King, D.J.C. (1983). Castellarium Anglicanum: An Index and Bibliography of the Castles in England, Wales and the Islands. London: Kraus International Publications. ISBN 978-0-527-50110-5.
  22. ^ "Carmarthen Castle (95084)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  23. ^ Cadw. "Carreg Cennen Castle (20923)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  24. ^ "Castell Dinefwr (425)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  25. ^ "Dryslwyn Castle, Dryslwyn (100682)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  26. ^ "Kidwelly Castle, Kidwelly (95633)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  27. ^ "Laugharne Castle (95634)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  28. ^ "Llandovery Castle (92751)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  29. ^ Cadw. "Llansteffan Castle (9405)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  30. ^ "Green Castle, Ruins;castell Moel (17403)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  31. ^ "Newcastle Emlyn Castle (92783)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  32. ^ Cadw. "Aberystwyth Castle (CD008)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  33. ^ "Cardigan Castle (92314)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  34. ^ Alan Reid, Castles of Wales, 2nd ed.(Ruthin: John Jones Publishing Ltd. 1999)

External links edit

 
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