Cilgerran Castle, Pembrokeshire, West Wales

Cilgerran's towers appear amongst woods on the rim of a steep gorge in the Teifi Valley. The timeworn, beautifully located castle has a romantic air - it is somehow fitting that Cilgerran is forever associated with the abduction in 1109 of Nest, the Welsh 'Helen of Troy', by a besotted Owain, son of the Prince of Powys, an act which set all Wales aflame.

The castle as it now stands dates from a century later, when the powerful Norman baron William Marshall the Younger set about rebuilding it following a troubled period of capture and recapture from the Welsh in this hotly disputed area.

Cilgerran's most striking surviving features are Marshall's powerful twin round towers and curtain wall, built to defend the castles vulnerable side (note how the towers' outward-facing walls are much thicker than those within).

Yet Marshall's efforts bore little fruit, for the castle was apparently derelict within 50 years. Its fortunes revived in 1377 when Edward III ordered repairs to counter a threatened French invasion, and it was in the wars again during the Owain Glyn Dwr uprising in the early 1400's.

Cilgerran's history and setting have long stirred the imagination. It has inspired artists for centuries and was one of Wales's first tourist attractions, much favoured by Victorian visitors who arrived by boat from Cardigan.

For a complete list of over 120 properties in the care of Cadw write to:-

Cadw, Plas Carew, Unit 5/7 Cefn Coed, Park Nantgarw, Cardiff, CF15 7QQ, Wales, UK.

Telephone:- +44 1443 33 6000
Fax:- +44 1443 33 6001

Opening Hours 2009 / 20010

Last admission half an hour before closing.

Summer:- 1st April to 31st October 10.00 to 17.00 daily.

Winter:- 1st November to 31st March 10.00 to 16.00 daily

For more  information see Cadw

Contact and Admission Information

Telephone:- +44 1239 615007

Admission Charge:- Adults £3.00, Reduced rate £2.60.

Family Ticket:- £8.60 - admits 2 adults and up to 3 children under 16 years.

Three or seven day explorer passes are available to give you free admission to the historic sites in the care of Cadw.

For a complete list of over 120 properties in the care of Cadw write to:-

Cadw, Plas Carew, Unit 5/7 Cefn Coed, Park Nantgarw, Cardiff, CF15 7QQ, Wales, UK.

Telephone:- +44 1443 33 6000
Fax:- +44 1443 33 6001 

Special Events 2009

13th & 14th June - 11am - 4pm - Step Back in Time with the Crafts and Soldiers of Gwent - Free Men of Gwent.