6 of the Best Historic Sites in Carmarthenshire

First built in the 12th century, Carreg Cennen Castle is a stronghold sat atop a rocky outcrop near the River Cennen in Wales. The fortress has witnessed various instances of conflict and upheaval, particularly during the Owain Glyndŵr Rebellion in 1403 and during the Wars of the Roses.

Today, Carreg Cennen is overseen by Cadw. It has been in a state of partial ruin since the 15th century but remains open to the public. There are tea rooms and a gift shop on site.

The Dolaucothi Gold Mines are a collection of ancient Roman mines located in the valley of the River Cothi in Carmarthenshire, Wales. The area was first extensively mined by the Romans between 70 and 80 AD, with open-cast workings and several tunnels created to exploit the area’s gold veins.

Today the Dolaucothi Gold Mines are managed by the National Trust, who run guided tours around the site. Outside the mines, clear evidence of its usage can be seen on the landscape, including undulating woodland disturbed by the pits and trenches beneath and the many small hills made up of old spoil tips.

Pembrey Woods, outside Llanelli in southwest Wales, was an important site during World War One and World War Two. The paranormal-inclined have claimed to witness wandering and dismembered figures in the woods, associating them with the soldiers who once served in the nearby abandoned bunkers.

These sensational claims about the forest led to it featuring on the reality television series Most Haunted.

Gwal y Filiast – also known as Bwrdd Arthur – is a neolithic burial chamber or dolmen in Carmarthenshire, Wales, near the River Taf. Nestled within the countryside up a steep river bank, Gwal y Filiast is something of a hidden gem. The megalithic monument comprises four supporting stones holding up a larger capstone.

Dinefwr is an 800-acre National Trust estate in Carmarthenshire home to the grade II* listed mansion Newton House and parkland home to a herd of iconic White Park cattle. The cattle have called Dinefwr home since at least the 10th century, with their presence there described by Hywel the Good in 920 AD.

Dinefwr is now a National Nature Reserve. Visitors can explore the Deer Park, tour the historic Newton House and participate in seasonal events in the grounds.

Carmarthen Castle is thought to have been first constructed in the early 12 century, but was then destroyed and rebuilt on several occasions. After centuries of turbulence and upheaval, Carmarthen Castle was converted into a gaol that saw use during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The castle is now a Grade I listed monument and a popular tourist attraction.

For thousands of years, the building of walls has played an essential role in shaping the world as we know it; from being used to monitor populations to controlling trade, they have often acted as borders of entire nations. In this episode, Howard Williams takes us through some of the most famous walls in medieval history and explores how two of the best-known linear earthworks in western Britain, Offa’s Dyke and Wat’s Dyke, have served to separate England and Wales. Howard Williams is a Professor of Archaeology at the University of Chester.

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