Laugharne Castle
Carmarthenshire, Wales
Photo: Colin Vosper, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 4.0 ยท Lynn Matthews, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Cadw
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- Cadw Explorer Pass
- Nearest station
- Ferryside, 4.0 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Tudor-converted castle on Taf estuary; Dylan Thomas connections; seasonal opening
Pinpoint
King St, Laugharne, Carmarthen SA33 4SA
Telephone 0300 025 2239
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| 28th March - 1st November | 10am-5pm (Closed Tue-Wed) |
| 2nd November - 27th March | Closed |
Last entry: 30 minutes before closing
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
A castle remodelled in Tudor times, then damaged by Cromwellian troops during the Civil War, set on the Taf estuary where Dylan Thomas later wrote in a garden gazebo within the grounds.
At a glance
Who to know
Dylan Thomas · the poet who wrote in a garden gazebo in the grounds
Worth the trip
Dylan Thomas's writing gazebo in the castle grounds - a specific, unexpected literary connection reviewers seek out.
Before you go
Entry is free for disabled visitors and their carer, and dogs are welcome throughout the grounds - just not up the towers.
What visitors say
Laugharne Castle reviews · 4.6 / 5 across 2,598 Google reviews
Reviewers are drawn to the estuary views from the castle's tower and the well-kept grounds, with several noting it's a lovely spot for families and free to enter.
A few mention it's not easy for visitors with mobility issues, given the high steps to the tower, though multiple reviewers push back on the idea that dogs aren't allowed, confirming pets are welcome except up the towers.
Even those who didn't go inside found the walk around the exterior worthwhile.
“Didn't actually go in but walked around the whole castle. It was a beautiful sunny day so a stunning way to spend an hour. Very interesting. The view is amazing looking out over the marsh land and sea”- Derek Gibson, visitor review
Getting in - what Cadw says
Slight incline from car park and at entrance. Easy wheelchair/buggy access to ground floor levels of site; small ramp leads to level path.
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.
History
Robert Courtemain · 1116
Robert Courtemain established this castle by 1116. It changed hands repeatedly through the medieval centuries and was seized, destroyed, and rebuilt multiple times. In 1584, Queen Elizabeth I granted it to Sir John Perrott, who transformed it into a Tudor mansion. Parliamentary forces damaged it severely in 1644 during the Civil War.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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.
- Terrain & accessibility
- “The steps are high so don't recomend you try if not fit .” - Lynn Cocup
Common questions about Laugharne Castle
Where is Laugharne Castle?
Laugharne Castle is in Carmarthenshire, Wales, at King St, Laugharne, Carmarthen SA33 4SA.
Do you need a ticket to visit Laugharne Castle?
Yes - Laugharne Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Cadw. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Laugharne Castle?
Dylan Thomas's writing gazebo in the castle grounds - a specific, unexpected literary connection reviewers seek out.
Is Laugharne Castle a ruin or still intact?
Laugharne Castle is a partial ruin - Tudor-converted castle on Taf estuary; Dylan Thomas connections; seasonal opening.
