Castles & Historic Sites Around Cardigan Holidays
Wales - Land of Legends
Pentre Ifan Ancient Burial Chamber near Newport
While staying at Cardign Holidays you are never far away from sites of prehistoric settlers, Roman soldiers and early pilgrims.
South West Wales is dotted with important Castles and evocative historic sites which go back thousands of years. And the wonderful legacy they've left behind is waiting to be explored!
Historic Sites
Pentre Ifan Cromlech near Newport is one of Wales' finest ancient burial chambers dating back 5,000 years, made from the same local bluestones which were somehow transported to Salisbury Plain to build the inner circle of Stonehenge.
Abbey Ruins in St. Dogmaels 4 miles from Brongwyn
Nestling between the Preseli Hills and the Pembrokeshire coastline, Castell Henllys is a reconstructed Iron Age hillfort with reconstructed roundhouses showing how Celtic inhabitants lived and worked over 2000 years ago.
St Dogmaels is 4 miles from Brongwyn, overlooking the River Teifi are the remains of the 12th century Benedictine Abbey at St. Dogmaels, near Cardigan. The surviving ruins now provide a dramatic setting to Shakespearian plays every summer.
Mwnt Chapel - The tiny chapel on the cliff at Mwnt just three miles from Brongwyn, dates from the 13th Century.
North of Tegaron, the remote Cistercians abbey founded in the 12thcentury grew to become a powerhouse of Welsh culture patronized by princes and poets.
St Davids Bishops Palace - This imposing medieval palace stands in a grassy hollow next to St. David's Cathedral. Even in ruins the palace still conveys the affluence and power of the medieval church.
St. Govan's Chapel - Tiny and isolated nestled in a rocky gorge beneath the cliffs of St. Govan's Head near Bosherston in South Pembrokeshire, this 13th century hermit's cell is built into the cliff.
Romantic Medieval Castles
Aberystwyth Castle
Carew Castle
Late 13th century castle built by Edward I
Cardigan Castle There was a motte and bailey castle here as early as 1093. Around 1170 Rhys ap Grufudd, Prince of Deheubarth, transformed Cardigan into the first Welsh-built stone castle. In 1176 Rhys held the first Eisteddfod, or festival celebrating Welsh culture, at Cardigan Castle.
After a turbulent history it eventually fell into disrepair but is currently undergoing a major programme of conservation and restoration works.
Carew Castle The ruins of Carew Castle stand in a picturesque setting complete with mill pond and working Tide Mill on the low banks of the river Carew, near Pembroke.
Carmarthen Castle
Cilgerran Castle just 5 miles from Brongwyn
Dating from 1105 the castle is perchedon an outcrop above the River Towy.
Cilgerran Castle Near the northern border of Pembrokeshire, and about 5 miles from Brongwyn Holiday Cottages,Cilgerran Castle stands majestically at the top of a large gorge overlooking the Teifi. Coracle fishing used to take place in the river below and the coracle races are still held here every summer.
Haverfordwest Castle High on a hilltop 80ft above the River Cleddau, the ruins of this early 12th Century Castle dominate the skyline of the town.
Kidwelly Castle
Newcastle Emlyn Castle just 9 miles from Brongwyn
Kidwelly Castle is remarkably well preserved. From its Norman beginnings in 1106, It was added to through the years up until completion as a powerful fortress in 1422.
Laugharne Castle At Laugharne, on the Taf River estuary in the sleepy seaside town immortalised by Dylan Thomas. This medieval castle was transformed into an Elizabethan mansion. After the Civil War, the castle declined into a romantic ruin.
Llansteffan Castle In Llansteffan, perched on a headland overlooking Carmarthen Bay, this ruined 12th century castle shares the history of its site with an Iron Age fort built in approximately 600 BC.
Manorbier Castle With lovely gardens inside and views over the beach.
Nevern Castle Motte and bailey castle sited on hillside, now very overgrown
Newcastle Emlyn Castle Southeast of Cardigan. The ancient castle ruins lay within the bend of the river Teifi.
Pembroke Castle Pembroke's Imposing Norman Castle on the banks of the River Cleddau dates back to the 13th century. The birthplace of Henry Tudor, who in the 15th century became Henry VII, King of England.
Picton Castle Built in the 13th Century, the castle has been home to the Phillips family for generations and is set in 40 acres of magnificent woodland gardens which are open to the public.
Tenby Castle Overlooking the harbour on a rocky headland, the now ruined castle and the well-preserved town walls with their distinctive Five Arches now designated an ancient "walled town"
You can visit a different castle every day, or perhaps it will be enough to just pick one or two of these ancient heritage sites... either way, after being out exploring all day you could come and warm up in our steam room or sauna and wallow for a while in the pool while we play soft music to relax you....or book a relaxing massage in our salon to soothe away any aches or tensions and prepare you for the next exciting day ahead!
Pentre Ifan Ancient Burial Chamber near Newport
While staying at Cardign Holidays you are never far away from sites of prehistoric settlers, Roman soldiers and early pilgrims.
South West Wales is dotted with important Castles and evocative historic sites which go back thousands of years. And the wonderful legacy they've left behind is waiting to be explored!
Historic Sites
Pentre Ifan Cromlech near Newport is one of Wales' finest ancient burial chambers dating back 5,000 years, made from the same local bluestones which were somehow transported to Salisbury Plain to build the inner circle of Stonehenge.
Abbey Ruins in St. Dogmaels 4 miles from Brongwyn
Nestling between the Preseli Hills and the Pembrokeshire coastline, Castell Henllys is a reconstructed Iron Age hillfort with reconstructed roundhouses showing how Celtic inhabitants lived and worked over 2000 years ago.
St Dogmaels is 4 miles from Brongwyn, overlooking the River Teifi are the remains of the 12th century Benedictine Abbey at St. Dogmaels, near Cardigan. The surviving ruins now provide a dramatic setting to Shakespearian plays every summer.
Mwnt Chapel - The tiny chapel on the cliff at Mwnt just three miles from Brongwyn, dates from the 13th Century.
North of Tegaron, the remote Cistercians abbey founded in the 12thcentury grew to become a powerhouse of Welsh culture patronized by princes and poets.
St Davids Bishops Palace - This imposing medieval palace stands in a grassy hollow next to St. David's Cathedral. Even in ruins the palace still conveys the affluence and power of the medieval church.
St. Govan's Chapel - Tiny and isolated nestled in a rocky gorge beneath the cliffs of St. Govan's Head near Bosherston in South Pembrokeshire, this 13th century hermit's cell is built into the cliff.
Romantic Medieval Castles
Aberystwyth Castle
Carew Castle
Late 13th century castle built by Edward I
Cardigan Castle There was a motte and bailey castle here as early as 1093. Around 1170 Rhys ap Grufudd, Prince of Deheubarth, transformed Cardigan into the first Welsh-built stone castle. In 1176 Rhys held the first Eisteddfod, or festival celebrating Welsh culture, at Cardigan Castle.
After a turbulent history it eventually fell into disrepair but is currently undergoing a major programme of conservation and restoration works.
Carew Castle The ruins of Carew Castle stand in a picturesque setting complete with mill pond and working Tide Mill on the low banks of the river Carew, near Pembroke.
Carmarthen Castle
Cilgerran Castle just 5 miles from Brongwyn
Dating from 1105 the castle is perchedon an outcrop above the River Towy.
Cilgerran Castle Near the northern border of Pembrokeshire, and about 5 miles from Brongwyn Holiday Cottages,Cilgerran Castle stands majestically at the top of a large gorge overlooking the Teifi. Coracle fishing used to take place in the river below and the coracle races are still held here every summer.
Haverfordwest Castle High on a hilltop 80ft above the River Cleddau, the ruins of this early 12th Century Castle dominate the skyline of the town.
Kidwelly Castle
Newcastle Emlyn Castle just 9 miles from Brongwyn
Kidwelly Castle is remarkably well preserved. From its Norman beginnings in 1106, It was added to through the years up until completion as a powerful fortress in 1422.
Laugharne Castle At Laugharne, on the Taf River estuary in the sleepy seaside town immortalised by Dylan Thomas. This medieval castle was transformed into an Elizabethan mansion. After the Civil War, the castle declined into a romantic ruin.
Llansteffan Castle In Llansteffan, perched on a headland overlooking Carmarthen Bay, this ruined 12th century castle shares the history of its site with an Iron Age fort built in approximately 600 BC.
Manorbier Castle With lovely gardens inside and views over the beach.
Nevern Castle Motte and bailey castle sited on hillside, now very overgrown
Newcastle Emlyn Castle Southeast of Cardigan. The ancient castle ruins lay within the bend of the river Teifi.
Pembroke Castle Pembroke's Imposing Norman Castle on the banks of the River Cleddau dates back to the 13th century. The birthplace of Henry Tudor, who in the 15th century became Henry VII, King of England.
Picton Castle Built in the 13th Century, the castle has been home to the Phillips family for generations and is set in 40 acres of magnificent woodland gardens which are open to the public.
Tenby Castle Overlooking the harbour on a rocky headland, the now ruined castle and the well-preserved town walls with their distinctive Five Arches now designated an ancient "walled town"
You can visit a different castle every day, or perhaps it will be enough to just pick one or two of these ancient heritage sites... either way, after being out exploring all day you could come and warm up in our steam room or sauna and wallow for a while in the pool while we play soft music to relax you....or book a relaxing massage in our salon to soothe away any aches or tensions and prepare you for the next exciting day ahead!