Llawhaden Castle, Narbeth (South Wales)

A fortified palace of the bishops of St Davids.

Summary 13th century buildings (or older)

Introduction

A fortified palace of the bishops of St Davids, first created as a ringwork in the twelfth century and totally rebuilt mainly in the fourteenth century.  

History to the present day

Llawhaden Castle was built by the Bishops of St Davids cathedral in the early 12th century to protect the surrounding lands. The first castle was seized and destroyed by Lord Rhys in 1192, and rebuilt during the 13th century when a towered stone curtain wall was constructed with the residential accommodation being upgraded as the century progressed.

In the late 14th century a major rebuilding scheme was undertaken during which a high stone curtain wall with multiangular towers was added around the southern half of the castle. The entrance to the castle was now an impressive twin towered gatehouse, the façade of which still rises to its full height.

During the Reformation of the church in the 16th century, Bishop Barlow moved the principal residence to Abergwili near Carmarthen. As a result of this, Llawhaden Castle was stripped of all valuable materials, and in 1616 Bishop Milbourne was granted a licence to demolish it.
 

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Llawhaden Castle, Narbeth, South Wales, , United Kingdom

Opening times:

 

Open site all year round.

 

Open sites are unstaffed and open to the public with no admission charge at all reasonable times, usually between 10.00 and 16.00 daily.

 

 

Photographs courtesy of CADW photographic library.