Castles In Pembrokeshire -
Cilgerran Castle

A small castle that is approximately triangular in shape. It was built in a commanding position, perched on a craggy promontory, high above The River Teifi.

History

• The current stone structure was probably built by William Marshall, son of the Earl of Pembroke in about 1223, after he captured a previous fortified structure from the Welsh.
• This earlier structure had been captured and recaptured several times in the previous 40 years.
• The castle changed hands first to the de Cantelupes, and then to the Hastings family during the 14th century.
• In the 1370s an invasion from France was feared, and Edward III ordered that the now rather derelict Cilgerran be refortified.
• After 1389, when the Hastings family died out, the castle passed to the Crown.
• It may have been captured and held for a short time in 1405 during Owain Glyndwr's War of Independence.
• In the Tudor period, the Vaughan family were granted the castle by Henry VII, and they continued to occupy it until the early 17th century.
• The artist Turner painted and sketched the ruined castle several times.
• It is now managed by CADW, the Welsh historic buildings agency.

Features

• Two wooden bridges cross the defensive ditches on the south side.
• Much of the outer curtain wall is missing. What can be seen is mostly a thin modern rebuild as the original wall collapsed due to slate mining below the castle.
• Most of the two circular towers remain and much of the inner keep walls.
• There are some small rooms, steps and passages to explore.

Facilities
Toilets. Guidebook available. Gift shop.

Website
www.castlewales.com/cliger
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Cilgerran Castle
Cilgerran
SA43 2SS
Tel: 01239 621339
Email: cadw@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Map Location