stuff and nonsense!: CASTLEHUNTING AGAIN! # 10 LLANSTEFFAN

From Cadw:-

A prime piece of real estate

Wow-factor views are part of Llansteffan’s appeal. This headland castle overlooking the green farmlands, swirling sea and gleaming sands of the Tywi Estuary and Carmarthen Bay, boasts one of the most stunning locations in Wales.

That’s not to say that the stronghold itself is lacking in interest. Llansteffan, which controlled an important river crossing, occupies a site that has been defended since prehistoric times. Its rough stone walls, dating from the late 12th century, enclose an Iron Age promontory fort occupied in 600 BC.

Although ruined, the castle retains its power to intimidate — especially when you approach its massive twin-towered gatehouse, built in around 1280 and still looming large.

Today was a beautiful sunny day, so off to Llansteffan! What an amazing site! Perched atop a tump overlooking the entrance to the Towy (Carmarthen, not to be confused with the Tawe, Swansea).

It's another Cadw site, but is very low key - the signposting to the castle is dreadful, and it seems the preferred way to see it is by parking in the beach side council car park, and taking a walk. The last bit being quite steep. Motorcyclists can park at the bottom of the private lane leading up to the castle, tho, as they are all very cheeky. It's worth the effort though, as the views over the estuary are breathtaking. You can just make out Worm's Head in the distance.