Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire

Situated on a high bluff in the heart of the Towy valley, the historic little market town of Llandeilo has many attractions to offer the visitor who seeks the quiet rest of a rural scene. The town derives its name from its church, which is dedicated to St. Teilo, who is said to have been buried here, but Penally and Llandaff also claim to be his last resting-place, and the claim of the Cathedral city is probably the best founded. The church was rebuilt in 1848 in the Decorated style, but the tower is Perpendicular. On the wooded height called Penlanfawr is Penlan Park, presented to the town by the sixth Lord Dynevor.

At the heart of Welsh history for a thousand years, nearby Dinefwr Park as we know it today took shape in the years after 1775 when the medieval castle, house, gardens, woods and deer park were integrated. Dynevor Castle has been the home of the Dynevor family since the fifteenth century. For many years it was the residence of the Princes of South Wales; and it was one of the castles granted by Henry VII to his great supporter, Sir Rhys ap Thomas, an ancestor of the present proprietor. The first stone castle was built towards the end of the twelfth century. The principal parts of the remains are a round keep and a square tower. From the top of the former there is a magnificent prospect on all sides.

Carreg Cennen Castle is a ruined fortress some four miles south-east of Llandeilo. With its surroundings it forms one of the most striking sights in this part of Wales; "a castle like a rock upon a rock," so perfectly do the walls blend with the crags upon which they stand. On the south side, near a short flight of steps, is an iron gate guarding a passage, partly built and partly bored through the solid rock for 150 feet. The castle consists of an outer ward, an elaborate ramped entrance, heavily defended, and an inner ward defended by corner towers and a fine gatehouse.

Situated about three miles south-west of Llandeilo, Golden Grove has been a notable place for many centuries. During the Civil War it was visited by Oliver Cromwell on his way to Pembroke. He hoped to seize the Earl of Carberry, a conspicuous Royalist who then owned the estate, but his lordship had gone into hiding, and the Countess, with the best grace she could command, had to entertain the pursuer of her husband. During the last two centuries it has been the seat of the Earls of Cawdor and the present mansion replaced the original one that stood at the bottom of the hill.

On the north side of the Towy, about five miles west of Llandeilo, was Dryslwyn Castle. Portions only of the hall and chapel remain. While it was being besieged in the reign of Edward I, unskilful mining brought down one of its towers upon a party of the besiegers, causing the death of many, including Lord Stafford and other persons of note.