Kidwelly Castle
Norman stronghold is a match for the greatest castles of Wales
See Kidwelly Castle rising above the river Gwendraeth on a misty morning and prepare to be amazed. This is the medieval fortress of everyone’s dreams.
That’s probably why it appears in the very first scene of ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’. But it would have been no laughing matter to attack this military stronghold.
Kidwelly began in the early 12th century as a Norman ‘ringwork’ castle made of wood and protected only by an earthen bank and ditch. Not surprisingly it was under constant attack by Welsh princes including the Lord Rhys, who captured it in 1159.
Four decades later the Normans were back in charge. By the 1280s the Chaworth brothers, powerful Marcher lords, had created the stone ‘castle within a castle’ that still stands today.
Imagine being a Welsh attacker. First you had to conquer the great gatehouse with its drawbridge and portcullis, a hail of arrows and rocks raining down on you. Breach these outer defences and you were faced by the four towers of the inner ward. No way forward – and nowhere to hide. A true killing zone.
After centuries of see-sawing conflict between Norman invaders and native princes Kidwelly was now a match for any castle in Wales. The gatehouse added by the Duchy of Lancaster was the icing on the cake. Even the forces of Owain Glyndŵr couldn’t break through.
How to visit
- purchase your admission tickets on arrival or book online to save 5%*
- view our opening times and prices below
- check Welsh Government health & safety advice before visiting.
*Booking online guarantees the best price for your visit.
You can book tickets up to 24 hours in advance.
Online ticket prices include a 5% discount and are non-refundable.
Gallery
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Opening times & prices
Opening times
| 1st March - 30th June | 9.30am-5pm |
|---|---|
| 1st July - 31st August | 9.30am-6pm |
| 1st September - 31st October | 9.30am-5pm |
| 1st November - 28th February | 10am-4pm |
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Last admission 30 minutes before closing Closed 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January |
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Prices
| Category | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Members - Join now |
Free
|
|
| Adult |
£8.90
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| Family* |
£28.50
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| Disabled person and companion |
Free
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| Juniors (Aged 5-17) / Students** |
£6.20
|
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| Seniors (Aged 65+) |
£8.00
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Cadw £1 ticket – for those on Universal Credit and other named benefits *Admits 2 adults and up to 3 children. All children under 5 receive free entry. **Student photo ID card is required to be shown on entry Blue Light Card holders and HM Armed Forces & Veterans receive 10% off individual admission (not available online). |
||
| Category | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Members - Join now |
Free
|
|
| Adult |
£8.50
|
|
| Family* |
£27.20
|
|
| Disabled person and companion |
Free
|
|
| Juniors (Aged 5-17) / Students** |
£5.90
|
|
| Seniors (Aged 65+) |
£7.60
|
|
|
Cadw £1 ticket – for those on Universal Credit and other named benefits] *Admits 2 adults and up to 3 children. All children under 5 receive free entry. **Student photo ID card is required to be shown on entry Blue Light Card holders and HM Armed Forces & Veterans receive 10% off individual admission (not available online). |
||
Visitor information
Access guide
Please read our accessibility guidance for information on how to plan your visit.
Baby changing
Toilets available with baby changing facilities.
Bikes access
Bike storage area available in car park or close to site.
Car park
Approx. 11 parking spaces on site.
There is a large free parking area a short walk from the monument with 1 dedicated disabled space.
Disabled person access
There is an incline to main entrance. Access is on a wide concrete path with a non slip surface, which leads on to a wooden slatted bridge.
There is wheelchair/buggy access in visitor centre and the monument.
Access to upper levels of monument is limited to walkers.
Dogs welcome
Dogs on short leads welcome to access ground floor levels of the site.
EV charging points
Two Type 2 (22kW) electric charge points available in castle car park — charges for use apply.
Portable hearing
A portable induction loop is available.
Toilets
Visitor toilets are available at this site.
Walking difficulty
Terrain: Level 2 – Easy
Exhibition
On-site exhibition within monument.
Gift shop
Gift shop at this site offering a range of products and guidebooks.
Venue hire
This site is available to hire for events, filming and exhibitions.
Drone policy
Please read our policy information about flying drones at Cadw monuments: read the guidance
No smoking
Smoking is not permitted.
School visits
To book your free self-led education visit to this site, follow these simple steps in our self-led education visits section.
While you're there, check out our free learning resources to help with your time travel adventure!
Health & Safety
There is a sloped entrance path leading from the visitor centre to the castle entrance that may require some effort, however the path is maintained and comfortable under foot.
There are several rooms within the monument that lead to ‘basement areas’ which require the use of narrow staircases which may be wet when the weather is poor.
Some of these doorways are low. We have provided lighting within these spaces as there is no natural lighting.
Please adhere to the one-way systems in place when accessing the wall walks. There are several steps required to access these spaces, some are steeper than others.
The main tower leads to an open viewpoint. This space contains the curved roof of the tower, you are required to walk around this area, please be mindful of trips in this space.
As with all ancient monuments there is always a risk of stones being dislodged in bad weather, however, we manage this through extensive monitoring.
Climbing may result in serious injury.
There are several wild plants and flowers, although these are great pollinators, they may be poisonous to visitors and animals, we strongly advise you not to touch or allow dogs to eat any vegetation.
Please watch our health & safety film before visiting Cadw sites.
Iechyd a Diogelwch / Health and Safety
Please report any anti-social behaviour such as climbing, setting fires, graffiti etc. to CadwAccidentsReports@gov.wales
The following signs can be found around the site at key areas of risk, please pay attention where appropriate.
Slippery or uneven surfaces
Falls from height
Steep and uneven steps
Low ceilings
Falling masonry
Low light
High winds
Directions
Address
Castle Rd, Kidwelly SA17 5BQ
For contractors, educational visits and deliveries please ring 01554 890104
Rydym yn croesawu galwadau’n Gymraeg / We welcome calls in Welsh.
Telephone 03000 252239
Email KidwellyCastle@gov.wales
Postcode SA17 5BQ
what3words: ///yarn.meals.mural
For further information, please contact: Traveline Cymru on 0800 464 0000 or National Rail Enquiries on 03457 48 49 50
