Worth a visit: Kidwelly Castle, Carmarthenshire

IT’S right up there as one of my favourite family outings - a wander around historic Kidwelly Castle. Sure, there’s a decent health warning about climbing the ramparts, stone walls and spiral staircases, but children (and adults) love exploring. Our family’s most recent visit was in March, 2025. Here’s a few photos - and some words to explain what the castle is all about. Kidwelly Castle is a formidable stronghold, proudly overlooking the River Gwendraeth in the historic ‘Black Cat’ town of Kidwelly in Carmarthenshire. Kidwelly Castle's story begins in the early 12th century, around 1106, when it was established by the Normans under Roger, Bishop of Salisbury. Its strategic location was crucial for controlling the surrounding territory and securing Norman influence in the region. The castle's initial form was a more basic earth and timber structure, a "ringwork." This early fortification laid the groundwork for the more substantial stone castle that would develop over...