Castles In Pembrokeshire -
Cilgerran Castle

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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 Glandwr’s wars 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 pained 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
Cilgerran Castle
Cilgerran
SA43 2SS
Tel: 01239 621339
Email: cadw@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Map Location
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