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It's the end of the half-term break, so it's time to pick up GS from his Nan's. We decided to make a weekend of it by embarking upon a mini castle tour - that's a short tour of castles, not a tour of small castles.
Our first stop was Kidwelly. Started in 1114, the well-preserved remains of this Norman castle overlook the River Gwendraeth. As is common throughout Wales, the castle switched ownership frequently between the Normans and Welsh. In 1403 it was besieged by the forces of Owain Glyndwr combined with those from France and Brittany after they had captured the town. After just 3 weeks the castle was relieved by a Norman army. The extensively damaged gatehouse was rebuilt on the orders of King Henry V.
Next up was the picturesque remains of Llansteffan Castle. Overlooking the estuary of the River Tywi where it enters Carmarthen Bay, the castle sits upon a much older Iron Age fort. The castle was built by the Normans soon after 1100 as they ventured deeper into Wales and changed hands several times. By 1367 the castle was described as in a poor state.
We then headed to Llandeillo to check in to our accommodation for the night, a beautiful 3 storey town house. We popped round the corner to a couple of take-aways where GS ordered a curry while I grabbed my favourite battered sausage, cheesy chips and gravy.
The next day we made for Carreg Cennen Castle. Situated in the Brecon Beacons National Park, it is spectacularly positioned above a limestone precipice near the River Cennen. It was probably built by Lord Rhys in the late 12th century, a Welsh ruler of the kingdom of Deheubarth - so not a Norman castle.
In 1248 the mother of Rhys Fychan ap Rhys Mechyll, Matilda de Braose, gave the castle to the Normans to spite her son but before they took possession Rhys recaptured it. Over the next 30 years it changed hands between Rhys and his uncle Maredudd as they fought for control of Deheubarth. In 1277 the English captured it. The Welsh briefly recaptured it in 1282 before losing it again the following year when Edward I granted it to John Giffard who remodelled the castle.
During the War of the Roses, it was a Lancastrian stronghold until captured and demolished by a Yorkist force in 1492.
Under the castle ruins is a narrow long cave which we carefully explored with our torches.
Although the castle is under the care of Cadw, it is administered by the neighbouring farm who run a fantastic tearoom where we had lunch.
On our way home we stopped off in Gloucester to visit Burger Star.
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