Castles in Wales Gazetteer (S-Z)

Browse this list of castles to visit in Wales by Region (click here for a regional map) or alphabetically (start on this page).

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W

Skenfrith Castle    The remains - a defensive ditch and walls of the keep - of the original castle, on which the 13th stone one was built, were discovered during excavations. What we see now was built by Hubert de Burgh, who had ambitions to be an important marcher lord. The most noticeable feature of the castle is the circular keep, where the living quarters were located, in the middle of the rectangular ward. Remains include signs of a fireplace, windows, corbels, and a garderobe. Only basement levels of other living quarters survive. Skenfrith, Gwent, Wales Attraction Type: Castle Location: on B4521 at Skenfrith on the Welsh side of the Monnow River Website: Skenfrith Castle Cadw OS SO458 202 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

St Clears Castle    11th century Norman castle with only the remains of a large earthwork, ditch, and square bailey surviving. St Clears, Dyfed, Wales Attraction Type: Castle Location: ½ m S St Clears, on A4066 OS SN27 916 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

St Donat's Castle    Sited on a clifftop with an inner and outer ward and dry moat, the small original tower, square gatehouse, 15th century hall, 16th century north and west ranges, and other building remains span a number of centuries. A modern stately home is erected within the remains with a tower and dining hall. Llantwit Major, Glamorgan, Wales, CF61 1WF Attraction Type: Castle Location: Minor road off B4265, W Llantwit Major. Now run as an arts centre with a full schedule of events. Website: St Donat's Castle Email: enquiries@stdonats.com Phone: 01446 799 100 Location map OS SS952 686 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

St Quintin's Castle    Little survives of this 14th century castle except parts of the wall to the gatehouse, tower and square keep, and an Edwardian gatehouse. Llanblethian, Cowbridge, Glamorgan, Wales Attraction Type: Castle Location: 1 m SW Cowbridge, off A48 Website: St Quintin's Castle Cadw OS SS987 741 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Swansea Castle    Built in the late 13th/early 14th centuries by the de Braose lords of Gower, William II and William III; their descendant, John Mowbray, added to it. In the late 18th century it became, for a while, a debtor's prison. The ruins of the castle are sited in a large plaza. Swansea, Glamorgan, Wales Attraction Type: Castle Location: city centre, open site, exterior only Website: Swansea Castle Cadw OS SS659 932 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Tenby Castle    The museum housed in Tenby Castle boasts displays on the archaeology, geology, maritime, and natural history of the Tenby area, plus local art and exhibits relating to the Castlemartin (Pembrokeshire) Yeomanry. Castle Hill, Tenby, Dyfed, Wales, SA70 7BP Attraction Type: Castle Location: in Tenby (A478/B4585) on a rocky headland Website: Tenby Castle Email: tenbymuseum@hotmail.com Phone: 01834 842809 Fax: 01834 842809 Location map OS SN131 008 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Tomen y Bala    Remains of a 30 foot high motte and bailey dating to the late 11th or early 12th century. Bala, Gwynedd, Wales Attraction Type: Castle Location: on B4391 OS SH929 360 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Tomen-y-Mur    A conical motte on the site of a former Roman fort is all that surivives of the castle that is part of a Welsh legend. There are outstanding views over surrounding countryside. Trawsfynydd, Gywnedd, Wales Attraction Type: Castle Location: minor road off A470, 3 m N Trawsfynydd OS SH705 386 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Tomen-y-Rhodwydd    A motte and bailey earthwork, rampart, and ditch survive of a castle built in 1149 by Owain Gwynedd. Ruthin, Clwyd, Wales Attraction Type: Castle Location: minor road off A470, 3 m N Trawsfynydd OS SJ132 562 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Tretower    15th century medieval mansion with fine timberwork and walled courtyard. Ruined castle with 13th century round keep and late medieval garden share the grounds. Tretower, Powys, Wales, NP8 2RF Attraction Type: Castle Location: 5 m NW Crickhowell, off A479 Website: Tretower Phone: 01874 730 279 Cadw Location map OS SO186 211 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Usk Castle    Herbs, topiary around the ruins of Usk Castle. Usk, Gwent, Wales, NP5 1SD Attraction Type: Castle Location: on B4598 Website: Usk Castle Email: info@uskcastle.co.uk Phone: 01291 672 563 Location map OS SO376 010 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Weobley Castle    This castle was erected by the powerful de la Bere family in the early 14th century. More fortified manor than castle, Weobley was expanded in the 15th century and provided with a tall, arched entry. Visitors can ascend to the solar. Llanrhidian, Glamorgan, Wales, SA3 1HB Attraction Type: Castle Location: B4271 or B4295 to Llanrhidian village, then minor road 2 m NW Website: Weobley Castle Phone: 01792 390 012 Cadw Location map OS SS476 927 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

White Castle    Pear-shaped and secluded, 12th century White Castle, originally named Llantilio Castle, was a moated castle. Thought to be the work of Henry II, but remodelling occurred in the latter part of the 13th century. The outer bailey defenses are largely intact. The north side curtain wall connects the six round towers, two of which form a gatehouse. There is a large walled inner ward with towers. A wooden bridge leads over the waterfilled moat. Llantilio Crossenny, Gwent, Wales Attraction Type: Castle Location: 8 m E Abergavenny, 1 m Llantilio Crossenny, B4233 Website: White Castle Phone: 01600 780 380 Cadw OS SO378 166 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Wiston Castle    The ruined motte and bailey castle's remains consist of a circular ditch, stone wall, and arched entrance. Wiston, Haverfordwest, Dyfed, Wales Attraction Type: Castle Location: 5 m NE Haverfordwest, minor roads off A40 Website: Wiston Castle Cadw OS SN024 181 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts