Scheduled MonumentsWalesCastell Llansteffan
Medieval · Castle

Castell Llansteffan

Carmarthenshire, Wales
Cadw SAM CM004
Period
Medieval
Site type
Castle
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Castell Llansteffan is a medieval castle occupying a prominent coastal promontory near the village of Llansteffan in Carmarthenshire, South Wales. The site was first fortified in the early Norman period, with the castle developing through the twelfth and thirteenth centuries as a significant stronghold in the region. The surviving remains comprise an inner ward with stone fortifications and an outer bailey, reflecting the castle's evolution from an early motte-and-bailey structure to a more elaborate stone fortress. The castle's strategic position overlooking the Towy estuary made it an important defensive site controlling access to the river valley during the medieval period.

Castell Llansteffan is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference CM004. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Castell Llansteffan?

Castell Llansteffan is a medieval castle occupying a prominent coastal promontory near the village of Llansteffan in Carmarthenshire, South Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference CM004.

What period does Castell Llansteffan date from?

Castell Llansteffan dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a castle. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Castell Llansteffan?

Castell Llansteffan is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is CM004.

What other scheduled monuments are near Castell Llansteffan?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Fron Ucha Burial Chamber (0.8 km), St Ishmael's Scar Beach Defence Gun House (2.2 km), Is-Coed Standing Stone (3.1 km).

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