Kidwelly Castle

Kidwelly

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A flavour of our medieval past

Surrounding the banks of the River Gwendraeth, the medieval village of Kidwelly has spread modestly over the centuries to surround its most dominant feature, a 13th century Norman castle. Parking outside the castle and in the village is free. There's an entry fee for the castle but Kidwelly Quay is free.

River Gwendraeth, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire
The river Gwendraeth with St. Mary's Church in the background.
Kidwelly Quay, Carmarthenshire
Kidwelly Quay, the beginning of the Kymer's Canal walk.

Kidwelly castle is without doubt one of the most impressive Norman castles in Wales. Both the castle and nearby St. Mary's Church, in their present form, date from the 13th century. (The castle is administered by Cadw - visit the website for entry fees and further information)

Another historical feature of the area is Kidwelly Quay built by Thomas Kymer in the 18th century who used it to export coal from his coal mines situated further up the Gwendraeth valley. Part of the canal can be followed along the walk from the quay (see map below). The canal was extended to Burry Port and a narrow ditch running alongside the western approach road to Burry Port harbour is all that remains today.

Gallery

Connect with history.

St. Mary's Church, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire
13th Century St. Mary's Church.
View across Carmarthen Bay from the quay
View across Carmarthen Bay from the quay.
Kidwelly Town Gatehouse, Carmarthenshire
Gatehouse, approach to Kidwelly Castle.
Castle walk, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire
Castle walk.
Glan yr afon walk/cycle path, Kidwelly
Glan yr afon walk/cycle path.
Kidwelly Castle, Carmarthenshire
The castle.
Kidwelly riverside walk, Carmarthenshire
Riverside walk.
Kymers Canal walk, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire
Kymer's Canal walk.
Kidwelly Castle walk with St Mary's Church in the background
Path below the castle walls.
Mouth of the river Gwendraeth from the quay
Mouth of the river Gwendraeth from Kidwelly Quay.
Kidwelly Castle
Kidwelly Castle.
Kidwelly Castle, Carmarthenshire
Kidwelly Castle, Carmarthenshire

Important!

Map

Use the 'what3words' app for a precise location:
Main village car park: ///harmonica.depravity.oven

Kidwelly Map

Kidwelly Castle and Kidwelly Quay are on the Wales Coast Path route. Also easily accessible by bicycle, the main cycle path (National Cycle Network Route 4) winds its way through the centre of Kidwelly along Bridge Street, turning into Glan yr afon car park and following the river path on to Ferryside.


Did you know?

Some interesting facts...

St. Ishmaels Church

St. Ishmael's Church

Follow the Wales Coast Path coast road (top, left of map above) for about 2.5 miles to find medieval St. Ishmael's Parish Church which stands on the ancient pilgrims' route to St. Davids in Pembrokeshire. The church was built on the site of a Christian community dating back to the 6th Century.
National Monuments Record of Wales.
Glan yr afon Nature Reserve

Glan yr Afon Nature Reserve

Home to a variety of wildlife, this expanse of grassland to the north of the Glan yr Afon walking/cycling path, a short walk from the main village car park, is an ideal location for bird and butterfly spotting and also has a large Bee Orchid population. The path is mostly flat but marshy in places.
Kidwelly Carnival

Kidwelly Carnival

Kidwelly has its own annual carnival (usually held in July, check the link below). Follow this colourful, popular carnival procession through the village centre. Floats, stalls, themed processions and field events. A complete day out for all the family.
facebook.com.

Nearby attractions

Explore a few more interesting places in this area...

Loughor Estuary

Loughor Estuary

Beautiful riverside walk, frequented by many shoreline bird species, includes children's play area and medieval castle ruins nearby.
Loughor Estuary
FREE
Parc Howard Museum

Parc Howard, museum and parkland

19th Century restored country house, now a museum of local historical artefacts, paintings and pottery collections, surrounded by beautiful gardens, parkland and childrens play area.
Parc Howard
FREE
Llanelli Beach

Llanelli Beach

A long sandy beach, part of the Millennium Coastal Park, a short distance from Llanelli town centre and right next door to Sandy Water Park. An ideal location for walking or cycling along the beautiful loughor estuary sea front.
Llanelli Beach
FREE
PAY & DISPLAY PARKING
Lliedi Reservoir, Swiss Valley

Swiss Valley

The Lower Lliedi Reservoir, 'Swiss Valley', is the perfect environment for a picturesque walk through mature woodland greenery, following a circular path around the waters edge.
Swiss Valley
FREE
Troserch Woods, Llangennech

Troserch Woods, Llangennech

A tranquil walk following the river Morlais through ancient woodland. Includes a mountain bike trail.
Troserch Woods
FREE
Morfa Berwig Nature Reserve

Morfa Berwig Nature Reserve

This rich, scrubland area with water courses and ditches supports a variety of wildlife, including the quite rare and endangered, water vole.
Morfa Berwig Nature Reserve
FREE
Burry Port

Burry Port harbour and sea front

Not one but two beaches to choose from! Two vast sandy beaches located either side of an historical, picturesque harbour.
Burry Port
FREE
PAY & DISPLAY PARKING
Pembrey Peninsula

Pembrey Peninsula

With 7 golden miles of sandy beach and 3 miles of dense pine forest the Pembrey peninsula is one of the destination highlights of the Welsh coastline.
Pembrey Peninsula
FREE
PARKING - PAY ON EXIT
Machynys Peninsula

Machynys Peninsula

An extremely popular area for walking and cycling, closely hugging the coast from Llanelli beach in the west to the Loughor estuary in the east.
Machynys Peninsula
FREE
PAY & DISPLAY PARKING
Penllergare Valley Woodland

Penllergare Valley Woodland

A beautiful profusion of wildlife, exotic plants and waterways. Magical, tranquil woodlands, fabulous views across the valley.
Penllergare Valley Woodland
FREE
PAY & DISPLAY PARKING
Llyn Llech Owain Country Park

Llyn Llech Owain Country Park

Beautiful Lake surrounded by a network of accessible walking paths, plenty of wildlife to look out for. Includes children's play area, toilets and picnic area.
LLyn Llech Owain Country Park
FREE
PAY & DISPLAY PARKING
Llansteffan

Llansteffan

Long sandy beaches, a stunning 12th century medieval castle and excellent walking routes with superb views across Carmarthen Bay and beyond.
Llansteffan
FREE
Laugharne

Laugharne

Quiet, historic village on the edge of the Taf estuary, last home to the famous poet Dylan Thomas, visit Laugharne Castle, the Dylan Thomas Boathouse museum and walk the coast path.
Laugharne
PAY & DISPLAY PARKING
Millennium Coastal Park

Millennium Coastal Park

Over 11 miles of unspoilt coastline, sandy beaches, lakeland and woodland areas, traffic free cycling and walking along national routes, abundant wildlife.
Millennium Coastal Park
FREE
PAY & DISPLAY PARKING
Pwll Nature Reserve

Pwll Nature Reserve

A mixture of coastland and woodland walks, wildlife habitats, fishing ponds and a profusion of plant life. Right next to the National Cycle network and Wales Walking Path.
Pwll Nature Reserve
FREE
Pendine

Pendine

Long, flat, sandy beach with breathtaking hill top views and famous historical connections with land speed record attempts.
Pendine
FREE
PAY & DISPLAY PARKING

Links to more attractions....

Heritage

Parks, Woodlands, Nature

Leisure

Gardens

Attraction Collections

Medieval Castles

Medieval Castles

Explore haunting relics of the past in a dramatic and ancient landscape. This area has some of the finest and most well preserved, medieval castles in Wales.
Medieval Castles
Beautiful Beaches

Beautiful Beaches

Discover endless miles of stunningly panoramic, golden, sandy beaches. Visit one of the longest beaches in Wales - Cefn Sidan at Pembrey, which is just one offering amongst many coastal gems.
Beautiful Beaches
Great Gardens

Great Gardens

Experience a cornucopia of horticultural delights in an historic or modern setting. Varieties old, new, tropical and unusual... just waiting to be discovered.
Great Gardens

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myplace.wales strives to promote the natural beauty and stunning landscape of Carmarthen Bay, Gower and surrounding area to locals and potential visitors. Highlighting great places to visit and excellent attractions for all.


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