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Loughor Castle

Thou shalt not cross

It’s easy to see why Loughor was built here. The ruins are those of a castle that commanded what was once a low-tide fording point across the Loughor Estuary. It wasn’t just the Normans who appreciated its strategic value. One thousand years earlier the Romans constructed the fort of Leucarum on this site. A 12th-century earthworks castle, burnt by the Welsh in 1151, was replaced in the next century with a stone fortress, a single tower of which survives along with the foundations of curtain walls.

Opening times & prices

Opening times

1st April - 31st March Open all year

Open all year — during reasonable daylight hours

Visitor information

Dogs welcome icon

Dogs welcome

Dogs on short leads welcome to access ground floor levels of the site.

Walking difficulty icon

Walking difficulty

Terrain: Level 2 – Easy

Drone policy icon

Drone policy

Please read our policy information about flying drones at Cadw monuments: read the guidance

No smoking icon

No smoking

Smoking is not permitted.

Health & Safety icon

Health & Safety

Parking at the street below, the castle is located at the top of a short hill. 

It is advised to use the steps to the right of the site to access the top. 

Some areas may be slippery underfoot, please wear appropriate footwear. 

Once at the monument, please be mindful that the ground is sloped and uneven In places. 

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.

Steep and uneven steps icon

Steep and uneven steps

Slippery or uneven surfaces icon

Slippery or uneven surfaces

Falls from height icon

Falls from height

Falling masonry icon

Falling masonry

Directions

Google Map
Road: Loughor, on A4070, 7m (11.3km) NW of Swansea.
Rail: Gowerton 2.5m (4km). For further information, please contact: Traveline Cymru on 0800 464 0000 or National Rail Enquiries on 03457 48 49 50.
Bike: NCN Route No.4 On route

Grid Ref: SS564979. Lat/Lon: 51.6621, -4.0774

what3words: ///lightly.marmalade.eager

No designated parking

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