Llansteffan Castle — Attraction in Llansteffan

Free to explore and a fair amount of the ruins still left to see. There are approximately 4 information signs telling you about the castle and there is one tower remaining that you can climb to the top of. From there you have some beautiful views over the castle and country in the one direction and the beach and sea in the other. There are also some lower parts/rooms of the castle still intact available to enter.

To reach the castle, we parked in the beach car park and walked up the path which is a fair little walk and requires a little fitness. After all, you're basically climbing a cliff in a slightly zig zag fashion. However, half way up we joined a country road, so if you can find your way on to that, then it may be possible to get closer so there is less of a walk. But there is still a slope up to the castle from the road. Plus the castle itself is on a bit of a slope overall.

Inside, there are no paths. It is entirely grassed over, so it probably wouldn't be the best in wet conditions. We were lucky enough to have a sunny day, but there was still a little moisture about.

As it is a free castle, there are no guides, no shop and no facilities. So be sure to prepare before leaving the car park where there were both toilets and food shacks. There was also a cafe over the road, but this was shut when we were there midweek in May.

The beach also provides a lovely walk with some nice views, plus some rocks for those who like to climb. One person was also enjoying the sea breeze for flying their kite.

Overall, a lovely place and for a free castle, it's one of the better...

A very picturesque castle, dating from the 12th Century.

No car park by the castle and don’t follow Google for directions as this will take you to a dead end. It is a private road to the castle which is pedestrian only.

The car park is at Llansteffan beach opposite the tea rooms. This is also the start of the path up to the castle. It’s about a 20 minute walk to the castle from here.

It is a gradual climb from the car park and on the private road which is steep in parts.

Access to the castle is very another steep path.

The castle is mainly in ruins but part of the gatehouse has one staircase intact and you can climb to the top.

Some fantastic views across the estuary.

The castle is free entry but owned by CADW.

There are some information boards however they are sparse and maybe some signs to show the different parts would be helpful. Also some more information about who owned the castle would be good maybe a QR code which can be scanned by a phone.

It was only when I checked the first sign on the path up to the castle did it say further information such as a guide book, post cards could be obtained at the Post Office or Beach shop. The sign looked old and not sure if still relevant but It would have been helpful if this information was at the start of the path in the car park and not just before you get in to the castle and after climbing the hill.

However the ruins are well cared for and in good order and for free entry it’s a good...

Llansteffan Castle can be found on a headland overlooking the estuary and sand-flats of the mouth of the river Tywi. It is easy to see why the location was chosen by the Normans to build their earth and timber structure early in the 11th C. The natural defences and the strategic position overlooking the surrounding areas and nearby river make it a logical location to build a Castle. The Normans, however, were not the first to understand the benefits of its location. Long before the Castle was constructed an Iron Age hill fort was built on the site dating back to the 6th century B.C. and the double ditch of the fort remains visible on the west of the castle to this day.

The building of the powerful masonry castle we can still see today was the work of the Camville family who held the Castle from the late twelfth to the early fourteenth century. The Castle changed hands several times following battles between the Normans and the Welsh. For instance, the castle fell to the Welsh Llywelyn the Great conquered Deheubarth in 1215. Eight years later William Marshal started the campaign to recover ownership of the Castle and once reclaimed Camville strengthened the upper ward by adding a square gatehouse and a round mural tower .

The Welsh reclaimed it in 1257 and the Camville family again took it back and further strengthening work took place. In 1405 – 06, the Castle was briefly held by the supporters of Owain...