Cilgerran Castle

Though the village of Cilgerran and the castle are only about 3 miles east of Cardigan, which is in Ceredigion, the village became part of Pembrokeshire when Henry VIII's Act of Union formally established the county of Pembrokeshire. From the 12th to the 16th century, the lordship of Cilgerran was part of the earldom of Pembroke.

The castle commands a promontory overlooking the steep-sided gorge cut by the river Teifi to the north, and the fast waters of the Plysgog to the west of the site. Early documents state that the first stronghold was built by Gerald de Windsor, Constable of Pembroke and Carew castles, at the beginning of the 12th century called Cenarth Bychan. Over the next 100 years or so,control of the earth and timber castle alternated between the Welsh princes and the Norman Lords until 1223 when William Marshal II wrest Cilgerran and others from their control.

It was Marshal who transformed Cilgerran Castle into a substantial masonry castle, vowing never again to forfeit the site to the Welsh. He constructed a tough castle with two baileys, enclosed by a curtain wall and dominated by two massive round towers. The finished product in many ways resembled Pembroke Castle. Most of what survives today dates to this period, when the Marshals were Earls of Pembroke. Though the Welsh attempted to take the castle once more in 1257, they never again controlled the stronghold.

Marshal ownership of the castle ended with the death of the death of the last male heir, and Cilgerran was passed into the hands of royal custodians, among them, Prince Edward (soon to be King Edward I). However, little money was spent on the castle until the late 14th century when several buildings were added to the inner ward, and the D-shaped North tower was built.

Despite neighbouring Cardigan and other castles remaining active in the countys history, little else of consequence occured in the castles history and by the early 18th century Cilgerran Castle was a ruin, and in the 19th century, portions collapsed due to quarrying. In 1938, the then owner, Sir Lewes Pryce, turned the site over to the National Trust. Cilgerran Castle is now maintained by Cadw, and is open to the public throughout the year.

OPENING HOURS
Summer 2005(1st April - 31 October). 9.30am - 6.30pm daily.
Winter 2005/06 (1st November - 31st March). 9.30am - Dusk daily.
Closed 24th, 25th, 26th December and 1st January.

ADMSSION CHARGES
Adults £2.50, Reduced Rate £2, Family Ticket £7 (2 adults and up to 3 children under 16 years. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 5 free.)
Prices valid until 31st March 2006.

DIRECTIONS
Car - Follow the signs for Cilgerran from the A478 and A484.
Bus - Take the 412 Haverfordwest-Cardigan.

For further information call on 01239 615007.