Dinefwr is a parkland wander with open spaces, a woodland nature reserve and a castle! It is best to go on a clear day so you can enjoy the views that Welsh Princes of the past had from their elevated position. The castle is a Cadw site and is free to access however the larger site at Dinefwr is owned by the National Trust and you must pay to park onsite (unless you are a Cadw or National Trust member). To make the most of this site you could make a day of it and also visit the house, deer park and boardwalk. There is a small cafe on the way to the castle and a tea rooms at the main house.
Dinefwr Castle
Distance: just over a mile (nearly 2 miles after exploring the castle and the woods)
Time: 1 hr 10 mins with no stops (it took us nearly 2 hours)
Guide
From the car park follow the castle footpath signs..
… along the stoney road and through a gate.
There are a number information signs along this route telling of the history of the site and the castle, here is the first.
Carry on along this road, past the entrance to the deer park and another info sign.
Around a bend and down the hill.
On the right is a small cafe where we stopped for a yummy flapjack snack.
Continue wandering past the entrance to the boardwalk and through two gates.
Through the second gate carry straight on up the hill. If you are looking to extend your wander then there is a track that heads right and loops through the lower section of the woods.
As you turn the corner take a look over your shoulder for a gorgeous view of the valley.
A glance up to the right will give you your first glimpse of the castle through the trees.
The next gate takes you into Coed y Castell, a beautiful woodland nature reserve that surrounds the castle.
Look out for traces of activities that have been happening here. There were some brilliant shelters when we visited.
Take some time to explore the woods as you wander through them. Our adventurer loved looking for blackberries and picking up different leaves.
At the t-junction head right up the hill through the trees.
Suddenly the trees stop and the valley opens out in front of you…
… with the castle perched right on top of the hill.
Head inside the castle to explore!!
Up and down steps…
Absolutely fantastic views in all directions.
Just outside the castle is a super picnic area.
We spent a long time at the castle exploring through all of the doorways and up and down the many (too many!) steps. It really is worth a trip for the views themselves, you can see all the way down the valley to Picton Tower in the distance.
When you can drag your adventurers away head back to the car the way you came up; remembering to turn left at this junction in the woods.
If you are looking to extend your wander take a look at the ViewRanger map below for some ideas or take a stroll through the deer park or along the boardwalk on your way back.
Use this map to guide you on your way. Click to enlarge.
Directions: From the A40 Llandeilo bypass take the turning signposted Dinefwr Park. The entrance is just down this road on the right, clearly signposted.
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