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Carreg Cennen Castle
(SN 668193) is located 4 miles southeast of Llandeilo,
near Trapp on a minor road just off the A483 in the Western part of the
Brecon Beacons known as the Black Mountain. It is in my opinion the
most spectacularly located castle anywhere in Wales. The castle sits on
top of a precipitous limestone crag and dominates the landscape like an
Eagles nest. It offers excellent views of the surrounding farmland and
further afield towards the Carmarthen Fans in the southeast. Carreg Cennen
Castle also serves as one of the principle landmarks in the west of the
National Park visible from the surrounding countryside and in particular
from the Black Mountain ridges.
The first castle at Carreg Cennen would
probably have been built by the
Welsh Prince Rhys Ap Gryffydd in the 12th and 13th century. Though there
is some evidence of Prehistoric and Roman occupation on the site. One
legend suggests that the original fortress at Carreg Cennen dates back to
the Dark Ages and the Welsh Knight Urien Rheged and his son Owain. Legend
suggests they were knights during the reign of King Arthur.
However, the existing remains date back to that period
following the conquest of Wales by King Edward the First in the C14th. The initial
conquest was followed by an extensive programme of castle building to
consolidate his grip on this wild mountainous country. King Edward
the first seized Carreg Cennen Castle in 1277 which was granted by the King
to John Giffard who built the castle which remains today.
In July 1403 Owain Glyndŵr attacked the castle with a
force of 800 men but failed to take it. The castle was
eventually abandoned in 1462 during the Wars of the Roses
the castle was partially demolished by hundreds of men employed specifically to
disable its effectiveness as a fortification.
On the one side the ruined castle sits on the edge of a 300 ft sheer
drop. Access to the castle from this side is impossible. It is on this side that a
steep series of steps take you along a passageway that descends into the
bedrock beneath the castle
fortifications. At the end of this passageway you reach a damp limestone
cave. Its purpose is unclear but it may have provided the castle with a
water supply. There is evidence sections of the passageway were used to
house pigeons - useful for homing and as a winter food supply. Some people may find the descend
difficult requiring care. (Torch Required).
A more detailed description of the castle and its
history maybe found at Lise Hull's excellent website on the Castles
of Wales .
"Dont Miss It"
If you only have time to visit one
castle in South Wales, be sure to choose Carreg Cennen" BBNP quoted
in "The Brecon Beacons National Park" by J.M. Brereton, 1990
publisher David and Charles, ISBN 0-7153 - 9196 - 8
Access
Details:
Visitors to
the castle are advised to make their way to the car park at SN
668193. in the car park is reached by walking through private farm
property. Carreg Cennen Castle is located 4 miles southeast of Llandeilo,
near Trapp on a minor road just off the A483 in the Western part of the
Brecon Beacons known as the Black Mountain. It is reached by driving along
a series of confusing single track metalled roads and a good map is
essential.
The Morris family of Castell
Farm administer access to the Castle in association with CADW (Tel 012 0 500200)
Disabled toilets are available in the car
park during the castle opening hours. Wheelchair access from the car park
to a nearby shop and cafe located in a converted is possible but requires
assistance across the rough farm yard surface. Refreshments are available
from the cafe and the shop sells large number of items of interest to
visitors. There is an admission charge and tickets to visit the castle
should be purchased at this point before undertaking a very steep assent
to the castle entrance. (Telephone: 01558 822291). The cafe and shop are
allocated in the farm yard where there is also a display of rare and
unusual farm animals.
Opening Times:
Contact: Carreg Cennen
Castle Official Website.
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