Kidwelly Castle
Book now from £7.50
Visit Kidwelly Castle for one of the best things to do in West Wales for history-lovers
Rising over the peaceful River Gwendraeth, Kidwelly Castle is a picturesque medieval fortress that makes for one of the best family days out in West Wales.
- Get standard entry to the castle with General Admission Tickets
- Visit 20 historic monuments in Wales, including Kidwelly Castle with the Cadw Explorer Pass
Kidwelly Castle was built by the Normans in the early 12th century as a defence against the Welsh. Starting off as a wooden fort, it eventually became an imposing stone structure that was resilient even against the forces of Owain Glyndŵr.
The castle's history includes the legendary Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd, a warrior-princess who would be the only woman to lead a medieval Welsh army into battle. While she led the Great Revolt of 1136 with her husband, she died in battle at Kidwelly Castle, although her death spurred on a greater revolution against the Norman conquerors.
Today, the castle is still a mighty presence over the peaceful small town of Kidwelly. The castle has also become famous for its feature in 1975's Monty Python and the Holy Grail, where it can be seen in the very first scene after the titles.
Interested in visiting other Welsh castles? Get your Cadw Explorer Pass to visit 20 historic monuments in Wales
Your key to unlock Wales' greatest castles, in one ticket!
The Cadw Explorer Pass offers the freedom to explore all of Cadw's historic attractions and help you get the most out of your visit to Wales.
- Entry to 20 Welsh castles and attractions
- Visit as many castles as you want
- Choice of either the 3 day pass or 7 day pass (the 3 day pass gives you 3 days of entrance and is valid for a 7 day period. The 7 day pass gives you 7 days of entrance, valid for 14 days)
- Save lots of money!
General Admission Tickets - Kidwelly Castle
Book General Admission tickets to Kidwelly Castle to discover one of the most famous castles in all of West Wales. Visit anytime during the day.
Family Admission Ticket - Kidwelly Castle
Save when you book Family Admission tickets to Kidwelly Castle for families of two adults and up to three children. Visit anytime during the day.
Kidwelly SA17 5BQ SA17 5BQ
How to find us
By road: Kidwelly via A484.
By rail: 2km/1.2mls Kidwelly, on the Swansea-Milford Haven/Pembroke Dock route.
By bus: 100m/110yards, route No X11/X12, Swansea-Carmarthen.
By bike: NCN Route No.4 (400m/437yards).
- Baby-changing facilities
- Bike access
- Dog-friendly
- Gift shop
- Toilets
- Leaving the visitor centre, a wide concrete path with a nonslip surface leads on to a wooden slatted bridge. The path has a slight incline.
- There is wheelchair and buggy access in the visitor centre and the ground floor of the monument.
- The grounds are laid to grass with one short flat even pathway leading to different areas within the ground floor of the castle.
- The castle can be enjoyed at ground level, however much of the site is accessed via steep, narrow staircases, some of which are uneven, including the wall walks.
Yes, dogs on leads are welcome to access ground floor levels of the site. Dogs must be kept on leads at all times.
Yes, there are approximately 11 parking spaces on site.
There is a large free parking area a short walk from the monument with one dedicated disabled space.
Yes, visitor toilets are available at this site.
Smoking is not permitted at Kidwelly Castle.
Kidwelly Castle has become famous as a symbol of the enduring conflict between the Welsh and the Normans.
It's also become well-known as the site of where warrior-princess Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd became the only woman to lead a Welsh army into battle, before she was slain at the castle.
More recently, Kidwelly Castle is also famous for being a filming location for Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Kidwelly Castle was built during the Norman Conquest of Wales sometime in the early 12th century.
The surrounding countryside of Kidwelly Castle is reputedly haunted by the headless ghost of warrior-princess Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd, who died in battle at the castle in 1136.