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Castles of Carmarthenshire
and Beyond

Wales has more castles per square mile than any other country in the world.

Explore
Photo above is Laugharne Castle

Did You Know
Wales has more Castles per Head than Anywhere Else in the World
And these are some you will see when you holiday in Wales

Many of these wonderful Welsh Castles are within a short drive of Lothlorien Cottage Accomodation .See Map at Bottom of page.
These are a few: 
Camarthen Castle

Camarthen Castle which you can visit whilst staying at lothlorien Holiday Cottage in Wales

Camarthen Castle


Carmarthen is a very popular retail centre for the surrounding area, offering a blend of high street names and independent boutiques that reflect the town’s commitment to the future and its respect for the past. Other attractions that should not be missed include theOriel Myrddin Gallery, the art deco cinema, St Peter's Church, Carmarthen Castle, Llansteffan Castle,Laugharne Castle and the renovated Market Hall. 

Carreg Cennen Castle

Carreg Cennen which perches on the edge of a 325 foot cliff is known for its vaulted underground passageway that leads to a natural cave. This castle lies twenty mins from Lothlorien Cottage near Trapp.
The Castle is open every day apart from Christmas Day and has a lovely
tea rooms and craft shop to provide a welcome respite for travellers.


Dinefwr Castle

Dinefwr Castle is a 12th century castle, historic house and landscape park near the town of Llandeilo which was built by Rodri the Great.This Natural Trust-run, folkloric 12th century castle is hugely atmospheric. Wonderful views and guided tours take in the nearby nature reserve, cottages, ponds, a croquet lawn and a tea room. Look out for the rutting deer and cows who might join you during a stroll around the 18th century landscape park.
Historic medieval Welsh castles

Llansteffan Castle and beach.Llansteffan means church of stephen.The castle dates from the 12th century and was built by the Norman conquerors.The beach is famous for its cockle beds
A delightful coastal walk taking in the imposing Norman Castle with staggering views across Carmarthen Bay and St Anthony’s well with its water reputed to cure many ills! Also includes the quiet, secluded, golden sands of Scotts Bay.
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Dryswyn Castle

These ruins of Dryswyn Castle are situated near Denfwr Castle and the castle was built by the princes of Deheubarth.

Kidwelly Castle

Kidwelly Castle is the most preserved of the castles in Carmarthenshire and well worth a visit for the stunning views over the Gower, Worm's Head and Caldey Island.
"I know that Wales is famous for its castles, but this one is definitely one of the best. A photographers delight with plenty of shots open to the imagination.
Dont miss it otherwise you will regret it!"
Trip Advisotr review
Visited September 2014
Kidwelly Castle Near Lothlorien Holiday Home

Laugharne Castle

Laugharne Castle, situated in the sleepy town of Laugharne, the birthplace of the poet Dylan Thomas.This imposing Taf estuary beauty is forever associated with Dylan Thomas, who escaped writer’s block at the 11th century ruins. Discover his inspiration within the Victorian gardens which once hosted Civil War and a Tudor mansion, and relax near the Boathouse and Shed where poetry was once in motion.

Further Afield Pembroke Castle
Birthplace of Henry Tudor (Henry v11)

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Caerphilly Castle Below
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Photo Below is Carew Castle

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Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber near Lothlorien welsh Holiday Cottage
Photo Above and Below is Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber
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Carreg Sampson near Lothlorien Holiday Home in Wales
Photo Above is Carreg sampson burial Chamber
Near Abercastle on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path
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Carew Castle, Pembrokeshire

In a beautiful waterside location, this imposing castle has a powerful presence. Founded around 1100 and built from local limestone, it was abandoned in the 1680s and is now used as a roost by rare greater horseshoe bats. The village of Carew has a beautiful Celtic stone cross and the only restored tidal mill in Wales.


Laugharne Castle and Lothlorien cottage in South Wales
Above and Below Carreg Cennen CastleOne of the most spectacularly sited Welsh castles is Carreg Cennen, a few miles south-east of Llandeilo on a minor road off the A483. Spell-binding views are waiting to be experienced from the sharp hilltop upon which the castle sits. Indeed, Carreg Cennen dominates its surroundings, and seems out of place in the mountainous farming terrain which it commands. The hedgerows along the minor approach road initially obscure views of the site, but suddenly the grey stone fortress springs into your line of sight, enticing you to hurry onwards.

The story of Carreg Cennen Castle is a long one, going back at least to the 13th century. There is archaeological evidence, however, that the Romans and prehistoric peoples occupied the craggy hilltop centuries earlier (a cache of Roman coins and four prehistoric skeletons have been unearthed at the site). Although the Welsh Princes of Deheubarth built the first castle at Carreg Cennen, what remains today dates to King Edward I's momentous period of castle-building in Wales.

Carreg cennen Close to lothlorien Welsh Holiday Cottage
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Dinefwr Castle is close to Lothlorien self catering holiday cottage in south Wales
Dinefwr castle
Landimore Castle on The Gower close to Lothlorien Holiday home in south Wales and brecon Beacons
Landimore Castle
Kidwelly Casle near lothlorien cottage in Wales
Kidwelly Castle
Dryswyn castle and lothlorien cottage on the western edge of Brecon Beacons
Dryswyn Castle
Laugharne Castle near lothlorien Cottage
Laugharne castle(photo by Paula J James)
Pembroke is  noteworthy as the only castle in Britain to be built over a natural cavern, a large cave known as the Wogan. Historically, Pembroke is important not only for its masonry but for the fact the Harri Tudur, who became Henry VII and inaugurated the Tudor line of monarchs, was born there in 1457 reputedly in the tower now known as the Henry VII Tower.
During the troubled reign of King Charles I, the castle was attacked in turn by both Royalist and by Roundheads as the sympathies of its occupants altered. In the latter stages of the struggle an attacking force was led by Cromwell himself.
Today, Pembroke Castle is owned and managed by a Private Charitable Trust. Over the past 10 years much effort has been made to bring the history of the castle to life. In this respect the visitor will find an exhibition room telling the fascinating history of the castle from the arrival of Arnulf de Montgomery to the present day, in addition there are a number of exciting tableaux depicting various moments in the castle's history such as the birth of Henry VII.

 The castle and a well stocked gift shop are open all year. There is a Cafe and a Brass Rubbing Centre open during the summer months and at other times by arrangement.

Caerphilly Castle

The largest castle in Wales, and the second-largest in Britain, Caerphilly was locked within water defences when it was built by the English during the 13th century. The outside is the place, among an array of delights, to see four siege engines, and the inside has a hallowed, majestic feel.The Castle is a 60 minute drive from Lothlorien Cottage

Photo Below is Carew Celtic Cross

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Carew castle dates from around the 13th century athough before that  it was probably of an earth and timber  construction dating back to about 1100. but there is also archaeolgical evidence of an earlier settlement dating back 2000 years!
As of most castles, structures have been added and modified over the centuries.
Carew was also the scene of the last Great Tournament when in 1507, six hundred noblemen attended the last of it's kind in Britain.
Attractions at Carew are not only confined to the castle. There is a restored 18th century tidal mill, with it's original machinery, walks to a 23 acre mill pond,a medieval bridge, and also the 11th century Celtic cross, pictured left is one of the three finest in Wales.                              

Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber
The most popular megalithic site in Wales, Pentre Ifan is a splendid burial chamber with a huge capstone delicately poised on three uprights. Once known as Arthurs' Quoit, Pentre Ifan means Ivan's Village. This monument, dating back to about 3500 BC and unusually oriented north-south, stands on the slopes of a ridge commanding extensive views over the Nevern Valley. The elegant capstone weighs over 16 tons; it is 5m (16ft 6in) long and 2.4m (8ft) off the ground. The stones of the chamber are all of local igneous rock; on the portal stone there is a faint decorative cupmark.
    Excavations in 1936-7 and 1958-9 showed that the burial chamber originally lay within a shallow oval pit, and that the trapezoidal mound of earth covering it was up to 36m (120ft) long. The semi-circular façade, as in the Irish court-tombs, was marked by two upright stones on either side of the south-facing portal. The forecourt was blocked with rows of tightly wedged stones; some of the original kerbstones around the barrow can still be seen. Within the cairn were a number of enigmatic features: a slumped stone, deliberately felled before the cairn was built, an irregular line of small stone-holes and a pit with signs of burning.
    No trace of burials was found here, but we may assume that such a large tomb would have been used for collective burial over many years. The number of artefacts discovered was very small; a recent analysis suggests that Pentre Ifan may be a structure built in two periods: the original portal dolmen tomb could have been later embellished by a cairn and a façade.
    Local lore says that sometimes fairies are seen here: they are described as 'little children in clothes like soldiers' clothes and with red caps'.

Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber is 90 minutes from lothlorien
Holiday Cottage in the Pembrokeshire National Park
at Newport just outside Fishguard

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Patio of Lothlorien Self catering holiday cottage in wales