Cilgerran is one of the most spectacularly sited castles in Wales, and a visit is strongly recommended if you are in the vicinity of Cardigan. (It's just a 10 minute drive away). Situated on a steep gorge overlooking the River Teifi, it comprises two great towers, and a curtain wall, with a moat on the side of the village. A further tower has long since disappeared.
The Castle was first built by the invading Normans in 1108 as a timber fort, but despite the impressive site, it was lost to the Welsh and recaptured a number of times. the most famous tales recount the wife of its builder, Gerald of Windsor - the beautiful Princess Nest. This local Welsh Princess was known as the "Helen of Wales" and chalked up an impressive list of lovers, including possibly the future Henry I of England. She was abducted from the castle by one Owain ap Cadwgan, a prince of Powys, but eventually returned to Gerald, by whom she had 5 children.
Whatever the legends of Nest, the castle was lost by her son in 1165 to The Lord Rhys, King of the local Welsh kingdom of Deheubarth. It was lost back to the English William Marshal in 1204, only for the Welsh to regain it in 1215 under Llewellyn ap Iorwerth. It was finally regained by William Marshall II in 1123, who then rebuilt the castle in stone. It is the ruins of his castle we see today. However, by 1387, the site had been abandoned and became slowly ruinous, and by the 18th Century was known as a picturesque ruin, and it was much painted - including by JMW Turner.
The site now comprises the two main towers - one originally defensive, the other for accommodation, and a moat with a curtain wall. The moat is crossed on a modern wooden bridge. You can climb the towers (if you have a head for heights) for impressive views of the surrounding countryside.
From mid June until the end of October, the castle is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm with an access charge of £4.80 for adults or £15.80 for families (for more details see website). The castle is open without charge on the other days of the week, but the shop and museum are closed. For the rest of the year, the castle is open and unstaffed 10am-4pm, with no admission charge. (Last admission 30 minutes before closing.)
There is no car park, but there is a limited amount of parking available in the village car park 250m away. There is level access onto the site and into the main castle ground (NB with slopes and grass) but access to the walls and moat includes steps, steep slopes and uneven paths. read more