Carreg Cennen Castle

Carreg Cennen Castle (Welsh: Castell Carreg Cennen) is a castle sited on a high rocky outcrop overlooking the River Cennen, close to the village of Trap, four miles south east of Llandeilo in Carmarthenshire, Wales. Castell Carreg Cennen means castle on a rock next to (the river) Cennen, the river name itself being a reference either to cen meaning lichen or perhaps a personal name.

The dramatic limestone precipice was originally the site of a native Welsh castle, possibly constructed by The Lord Rhys (d. 1197), although any remains of this castle have been subsumed by later English work. In 1277, during the conquest of Wales by Edward I, the English gained control of the castle. It was briefly retaken by Welsh forces in 1282, but was back under English control by the following year, when it was granted to the English baron John Giffard (d. 1299). The castle was unsuccessfully besieged by Owain Glyndŵr during the Welsh Revolt. During the Wars of the Roses it was surrendered to the Yorkists and slighted in 1462 to prevent further use.

The castle visible today was probably constructed by John Giffard and his son John (d. 1322). It is situated within the Brecon Beacons National Park and is now in the care of Cadw, the Welsh Government historic environment service.

Text adapted from “Carreg Cennen Castle” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Carreg Cennen Castle ranks #1,754 of 7,738 worldwide in the atlas's castle fame ranking, and #27 of the 100 mapped in Wales. Its Wikipedia articles were opened 2,108 times in the last 60 days, more than 68% of the atlas. 5 more atlas landmarks stand within 25 km. The nearest day-trip guide is Swansea, 26 km away. See how Wales compares in the castle statistics.

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