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National Trust - Cilgerran Castle

Sightseeing attraction | Cardigan | Wales | United Kingdom

Historical sites in Wales

Cilgerran Castle is an impressive 13th-century castle ruin that majestically overlooks the Teifi Gorge near Cardigan, Wales. The strategic location on a rocky promontory once offered commanding views over the River Teifi and the surrounding landscape.

Medieval castles in Wales

History
The origins of the castle date back to the early 12th century, when Gerald of Windsor built an initial wooden fortification at this site around 1108 to 1115. This early structure was captured and destroyed multiple times by Welsh princes. In 1164, Lord Rhys took the castle, and in 1204, William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, recaptured it. After further conflicts, the current stone structure was built from 1223 under William Marshal the Younger. The castle changed ownership several times in the following centuries and eventually fell into ruin in the 17th century.

Cilgerran Castle visitor information

Architecture
Cilgerran Castle is characterized by its distinctive round towers and robust curtain wall. The two large round towers dominate the appearance and once provided excellent defensive positions. The castle's location on a rocky promontory above the Teifi Gorge gave it natural defensive strength, which was further enhanced by its architectural features.

Contact details

Web

Phone

Address
Cilgerran Castle near
SA43 2SF Cardigan

Map view

Opening hours

Sunday10:00 - 16:00
Monday10:00 - 16:00
Tuesday10:00 - 16:00
Wednesday10:00 - 16:00
Thursday10:00 - 16:00
Friday10:00 - 16:00
Saturday10:00 - 16:00

Reviews

1038 Reviews

Janine Tonkin
08.12.2024

Beautiful castle. Just no food places close by that were open when we went to visit.
Paul Ramplin
13.11.2024

The Red trail is closed off after the Otter Hide due to problems with the boardwalk. This means the majority of the site is off bounds. It would have been useful to have been told this before paying the entrance fee
Martin Cole
08.11.2024

Although it should have still been open (31st Oct) parts were closed off and the shop & toilets were also closed.
Gregg Lloyd
02.11.2024

Not much to do, nice view of river
Susan Norris
12.10.2024

No parking, never even stopped
nichola Rodgers
06.10.2024

A lovely little ruin worth a quick visit
Aude P
22.09.2024

Jolies ruines, le site est devenu gratuit, plusieurs sections ont été fermées il ne reste olus grand choses à visiter.
Ronald Houwing (RadioPopulairUK)
20.09.2024

Leuk resterende resten van een kasteel. Leuk opgezet en soms kan je er in.,
Sarah Woodward
16.09.2024

Shame about local residents as it’s a lovely castle. Parking is very limited and even when you find a legal, safe place to park the residents are not happy! We won’t visit gain due to this, shame as tourists bring money into the local village.
Andrew Cox
06.09.2024

Free entry was a real surprise
Mike Hill
01.09.2024

There's not a huge amount to see here but it is well-maintained (considering it was a ruin to start with)
Ian Walker
19.08.2024

Excellent Visit
Aga Wilkes
17.08.2018

Visited the caste on 14.08.2024. Free entry to everyone, not just for NT members. Gates were open from 10 am to 5pm. There is a shop and toilets on site, but only open when one of the volunteers is available. Gates to the towers were also locked as no staff was on site at the time. It was a nice pit stop for us.
Wong Wavy
17.08.2024

A few minutes of kid-friendly hiking to this beautiful castle ruin. It may not be wheelchair accessible.
Richard Perkins
10.08.2024

We had a lovely after hours visit to Cilgerran Castle on our first night of our visit to Cardigan. There is a lovely walk down to the Afon Teifi by the side of the castle. Perfect walk with dogs. Access to the riverside is steep with some steps and perfect for a doggy paddle and slate stones are excellent for skimming! We will be back again!
I Becks
06.08.2024

Great free place to visit
Aj Powell
04.08.2024

Top of a hill, was good to visit, not alot to do, but it was off-season. Cute shop/post office/coffee place nearby
Gina
03.08.2024

Nice for a short stop if you can find parking. Nice ruins with information boards but it's a shame the shop/toilet/upper floor of the castle are all closed this year.
Rhian Owen
30.07.2024

Lovely castle, beautifully kept, 😍 history posts, car parking was hard to find but lovely little area
Mark Bennett
28.07.2024

Great place for a short walk and brief history lesson.
Jacco Pauw
27.07.2024

Mooie rüine in een mooie omgeving
Mark Newlands
24.07.2024

The parking for this castle is non existent so park in the town and walk to the castle. The castle was closed when we got here as was the gift shop toilets ect so I haven't gave anymore stars than 1 would give 0 if I could very disappointing to be honest I can't be bothered to post the pictures that I took as they couldn't be bothered to open.
Michael desde Viena
15.07.2024

Nice view for a short stop
mark payne
14.07.2024

Gates were open but everything else locked up so literally a 5 min visit. Parking is bit of nightmare too as you need to park in the village or there is a tiny car park with toilets by the river but I would imagine that is rammed full most of the summer. Probably not worth the detour unless you are already passing through.
Sarah Lake-McKinnon
12.07.2024

Interesting place . Great castle

 

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