This ruined medieval Welsh castle stands upon a high wooded ridge above the meandering River Towy, just west of our National Park.

Dinefwr Castle is thought to have been founded in the later 12th century by Lord Rhys ap Gruffudd and remodelled by Edward I in the 13th century. The visible remains date from the 13th and earlier 14th centuries.

It was a regional capital until the earlier 15th century, but was later replaced by Newton House, a little north. By the 17th century it had become a picturesque, romantic attraction within Dinefwr Park. The top of the great tower was taken down and replaced by a summerhouse.

The castle consists of two enclosures defined by deep rock-hewn ditches cutting across the summit of the ridge. The inner enclosure has a high curtain wall and is approached by a lower walled barbican. The great round tower, some 12m across, is now a two storey stump crowned by the remains of the 17th century summerhouse. There are ruins of fine towered lodgings along the northeast curtain and a smaller round tower at the northern angle.

The castle is now a Grade I listed, scheduled monument.

Visiting Dinefwr Castle
Dinefwr stands in woodland within Dinefwr Park, an estate owned by the National Trust which also includes Newton House, a 17th century mansion with a Victorian facade, surrounded by a deer park. The castle is managed by Cadw. Admission charges apply.