Cilgerran Castle
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Photo: Waterborough, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Helge Klaus Rieder, CC0 · Helge Klaus Rieder, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Cadw
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
- Nearest station
- Fishguard Harbour, 15.3 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- National Trust-owned, Cadw-managed; twin drum towers above Teifi gorge; free entry; also listed under National Trust
Pinpoint
Cilgerran Castle near, Cardigan SA43 2SF
Telephone 0300 025 2239
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| 1st April - 31st March | 10am-4pm |
Last entry: 30 minutes before closing
Open and unstaffed with no admission charge
- Closed
- Closed 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
Twin drum towers standing above a dramatic gorge on the River Teifi - the drop below the walls is the main event here, with the castle itself more picturesque than large. Free to enter, it's a short but steep walk down from the village to reach it.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The view down into the Teifi gorge from the twin towers - reviewers rate it as one of the more striking castle settings in Pembrokeshire.
Before you go
Park in the village and walk down (there's a lower car park with toilets and benches too); the stairs to the top of the towers aren't especially child-friendly, so keep a hand free.
What visitors say
Cilgerran Castle reviews · 4.4 / 5 across 1,178 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently highlight the views from Cilgerran Castle as the main draw, describing it as free to enter and well maintained, though parking is some distance away in the village, requiring a short walk down.
A couple of visitors were disappointed to find the toilets closed during their visit, and one notes the stairs to the top aren't especially child friendly, but the castle itself and its surroundings are consistently well regarded.
“Free site, park in village and walk down only. Brilliant castle.”- Emma Powsey, visitor review
Getting in - what Cadw says
Level 2 terrain (easy); stone steps can be slippery; low ceilings and walkways in towers; potential falling masonry
Taken from Cadw’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
Walks at Cilgerran Castle
Cilgerran Castle is on our walks roll because a visitor described a walk here in their own review:
“It’s then a short walk along the river and up some stairs to get the castle.”- Rachel O'Brien, visitor review
Also worth knowing: the site itself is free to enter and dogs are reported welcome.
Comparing options? See every UK castle with a walk visitors describe.
One visitor's account, not a route guide. We hold no distances, waymarks or start points. For the actual route, check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map before you set out, and treat coastal and clifftop paths as weather- and tide-dependent.
History
Gerald of Windsor · 1108
Gerald of Windsor probably built the first ringwork castle in 1108 as Norman consolidation of Welsh territories. William Marshal substantially reconstructed it as a stone castle in 1223, creating the impressive drum towers that dominate the Teifi gorge site today.
Drawn from Cadw's own page.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “We parked in a great location(Cilgerran lower car park), down a steep hill but there were toilets and benches and brilliant river views.” - Rachel O'Brien
- Facilities
- “Lots of space on the castle ground for a picnic but we went mid Sept and the toilets were closed and the drink fountain off.” - Rachel O'Brien
Common questions about Cilgerran Castle
Where is Cilgerran Castle?
Cilgerran Castle is in Pembrokeshire, Wales, at Cilgerran Castle near, Cardigan SA43 2SF.
Is Cilgerran Castle free to visit?
Yes - Cilgerran Castle is a free, open-access site with no ticket booth, looked after by Cadw. There may still be a charge for nearby parking, and open-access arrangements can change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel.
Are there walks at Cilgerran Castle?
Visitor reviews describe walking here - one reviewer wrote: “It’s then a short walk along the river and up some stairs to get the castle.”. That is one visitor's account rather than a route guide, so check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map for distances, paths and start points before setting out.
What is the highlight of visiting Cilgerran Castle?
The view down into the Teifi gorge from the twin towers - reviewers rate it as one of the more striking castle settings in Pembrokeshire.
Is Cilgerran Castle a ruin or still intact?
Cilgerran Castle is a partial ruin - National Trust-owned, Cadw-managed; twin drum towers above Teifi gorge; free entry; also listed under National Trust.
