Carreg Cennen Castle

Carreg Cennen Castle, near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, in August

Carreg Cennen Castle, at Trapp, near Llandeilo in Carmarthenshire, is one of my favourite castles. I first visited it on a foggy day while on an archaeological dig in the 1970s but now return quite often to see it through all its seasons.

Carreg Cennen Castle is a privately owned tourist attraction as the result of a legal error in the 1960s when a farmer bought his land from the Cawdor Estate and the castle happened to be on the land. Read more about the farm and how you can get married at the castle here…

Carreg Cennen Farm

The castle ruin’s upkeep is now under the management of CADW, the Welsh historic monument organisation.

Carreg Cennen is built on a limestone precipice, hence its name – Carreg means “rock” – Cennen is the name of a nearby river.

A view from Carreg Cennen Castle, near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, in August

There may have been an Iron Age hill fort here, but the first stones of the castle itself were laid around the beginning of the 13th century.

The castle was attacked by Welsh rebel/freedom fighter Owain Glyndwr in 1403 but repaired. Then in 1461, during the Wars of the Roses, it was used as a base by Lancastrians. The Yorkists defeated them and tore down the castle, which has been in ruins ever since.

Carreg Cennen Castle, near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, in August

Carreg Cennen Castle, near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, in August

Carreg Cennen Castle, near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, in August

Carreg Cennen Castle, near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, in August

Carreg Cennen Castle, near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, in August

Carreg Cennen Castle, near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, in August

Carreg Cennen Castle, near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, in August

Carreg Cennen Castle, near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, in August

View from Carreg Cennen Castle, near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, in August

View from Carreg Cennen Castle, near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, in August

View from Carreg Cennen Castle, near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, in August

Carreg Cennen Farm