Carreg Cennen sits remote and high on top of a huge limestone crag, a site that was a craggy hilltop centuries earlier, rising up out of the Brecon Beacons in Carmarthenshire. A spectacular sight at sunset with the River Cennen running 100 metres below and into the distance, and though the climb to this historic castle is steep the views from the top are magnificent. The castle is situated within Brecon Beacons National Park and its remains are under the care of Cadw, the Welsh government historic environment service.
Introduction
Carreg Cennen Castle is a medieval castle in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales. Sitting on top of a rocky outcrop the castle has been around since the 13th century, archaeological evidence suggests the site was occupied by Romans and prehistoric people centuries before that. One of the most impressive and best preserved castles in Wales, Carreg Cennen Castle attracts visitors from all over the world, to see the past and explore the ruins. In this article we will look at the castle’s history, architecture and defensive features, and points of interest and significance in Welsh history.
Castle Overview
Carreg Cennen Castle is a medieval fortress located in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales. Perched on a sheer cliff-face, the castle’s defences are strategically positioned, making it a formidable structure. With a long and eventful history, the castle has seen ownership change hands multiple times between Welsh and English rulers. Today, the castle remains privately owned and is managed by the Llewellyn family in partnership with Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments. Visitors can explore the castle’s interior, including the inner courtyard, outer ward, and the natural cave beneath the castle, all while enjoying the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape
Within the high crag is a deep limestone cave which is thought to have been a storage area, or perhaps a hiding place during prehistoric times; it’s also thought to have been a natural well underneath the castle. The castle contains a cave system that is speculated to have been used for water storage during sieges.
The crag is thought to have been the site of a prehistoric hill fort in the Dark Ages and that there had been a Roman presence during their invasion of Britain since artefacts have been discovered in archaeological digs of the area. The site was also known to have been a stronghold of the Welsh princes, and this particular fort was held by Rhys Fychan at the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.
Carreg Cennen might have been able to withstand the onslaught by the Norman troops, but for the fact that Fychan’s mother, Matilda de Braeos, betrayed him to the Normans and handed the castle into Anglo-Norman hands.
Architectural Features
The architectural features of Carreg Cennen Castle are a testament to its rich history and strategic importance. The huge North East Tower, projecting into the outer ward, was perfectly positioned to fend off invaders. This interesting tower contained some basic luxuries, including a fireplace and latrines, making it a more comfortable place for its occupants. The castle’s gatehouse, a critical defensive structure, was accessible only after traversing the barbican, which originally consisted of a series of bridges across deep pits. These bridges have since been replaced by immovable wooden ramps, but the pits remain treacherous. The castle’s primary water container was a clay-lined ditch just outside the gatehouse, supplemented by stone-lined cisterns that caught rainwater, ensuring a reliable drinking supply during sieges.
Defences
Carreg Cennen has some of the best defensive structures of any medieval castle. The North West Tower guards the most vulnerable side of the castle with its round design and three arrow slits, one of which was modified in the 15th century to take a musket, making it even more secure. The walls, built of stone and earth, drop away steeply from the castle and the outside world is rapidly left behind. The arrow slitted west wall and the plain south curtain are great examples of the castle’s defensive cleverness. The outer defences, the outer ward and the middle gate tower, were designed to withstand siege engines and all forms of attack.
Points of Interest
Carreg Cennen Castle has many points of interest. Despite much of the inside being in ruins many of the buildings are still visible, the Lord’s private apartments are at the far end of the eastern wing, the kitchen, hall and chapel are also in the eastern wing. One of the most unusual is the damp limestone cave under the castle which you can explore with a torch. The castle has great views of the surrounding countryside, the River Cennen and the Brecon Beacons National Park. Few castles survived the Wars of the Roses like Carreg Cennen, they are a testament to their history and architecture.
The castle site was granted to John Gifford who had impressed the king with his valour and effectiveness during the Welsh invasion, and the Welsh fortification was demolished in order to make way for the new stone castle. It’s thought that it was he who began building Carreg Cennen in about 1283-4. This was around the time of the massive building programme which began at this time in order to have strategic strongholds along the English border with Wales and around the country of Wales to gain complete control and bring Wales under the control of the English crown. There are remains of several buildings, including the formidable twin-towered gatehouse, in the castle’s inner ward.
Carreg Cennen Castle was besieged by Owain Glyndŵr during the Welsh Revolt around 1403. Carreg Cennen Castle proved to be a formidable vantage point and was virtually inaccessible because of its position and height. That being the case, it’s remarkable that in 1403 Owain Glyndwr’s armies unleashed an onslaught on the castle and managed not only to breach its defences but to cause considerable damage. Documents written in 1416 record the fact that Carreg Cennen had been almost completely destroyed.
Rebuilding took place over the next seven years under the control of Rhys ap Thomas, and Carreg Cennen changed hands many times over the next couple of hundred years, either falling into English hands or by being seized by Welsh raiding parties. The castle’s gatehouse served as its keep, providing refuge during an assault.
By the time of the Wars of the Roses, and following the battle of Mortimer’s Cross in 1461, the Lancastrians took shelter here. The House of Gruffudd were sympathetic to the House of Lancaster but by all accounts the Lancastrians won a reputation for savaging the area and became known for being bandits and thieves, running amok in the surrounding countryside. Their dubious exploits came to a swift end in 1464 when the Yorkists attacked the castle, took control and then systematically destroyed the castle to make it unfit for use either as a stronghold or a place it love.
Carreg Cennen stayed derelict until the nineteenth century when Lord Cawdor attempted some restoration and rebuilding, and in the twentieth century Cadw (Welsh Historic Monuments) took over the administration and now looks after the castle and grounds. Carreg Cennen Castle is considered a historical site with a significant presence in Welsh folklore, claiming a legendary warrior sleeps beneath it.
Tickets and opening times are available from their website pages of Carreg Cennen Castle.