Coity Castle – Home of Sir Payn “the Demon” de Turberville

Vaulted stone ceilings, a deep moat, and a Lord with the best nickname for a Lord you ever did hear!

All this and More at Coity Castle! This is a very impressive 12-century Welsh ruin nestled in the middle of a town called Coity, near Bridgend in South Wales.

Carreg Cennen Castle – On A Rocky Outcrop With A Cave.

Castell Carreg Cennen, Welsh for Castle on the Rock above the River Cennen in the village of Trap near Llandeilo in Carmarthenshire, Wales. A freshwater spring rises in the cave deep below the castle, which would have been a useful supplement during dry weather.

Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a consensus on the date of the first castle on this site. Certainly, there was something built here in the 12th century but it is highly likely that there were structures built of wood that predate this. There is evidence of Roman and prehistoric occupation. There is also speculation of an iron age hill fort on this site.

Dryslwyn Castle – A Proper Welsh Castle

Dryslwyn Castle is a 13th-century castle, thought to be built by one of the Welsh princes of Deheubarth. It sits upon a hill overlooking the Twi Valley and commands some stunning views, even on a cold and rainy day such as this one.

It is one of the most important structures built by a Welsh chieftain still remaining. It is an excellent defensive position and is thought perhaps to have been a fortification in prehistoric times, although no evidence of this remains.