Dominating a long-disputed region, the strong and splendid castle of Kidwelly developed during more than three centuries of Anglo-Welsh warfare. Its half moon shape stems from the original 12th century stockaded fortress, defended on one side by the river Gwendraeth and on the other by a deep crescent-shaped ditch.

Within this, one of Edward I's barons later raised a rectangular stone stronghold with round corner-towers, perhaps echoing castles he had seen on Crusade. Even its protruding chapel was designed for defence. Next came an outer half-circuit of towered walls, making Kidwelly an up-to-date "concentric" castle. Then the southgate house was begun but stood unfinished when Owain Glyndwrs Welsh troops attacked in 1403.

Yet Kidwelly's tiny garrison of two dozen archers and townsmen held out behind improvised defences and later the great gatehouse was completed as the castle's chief strongpoint, with constable's lodgings above and dungeon-pit below.

Visitors will not be disappointed by the clustered towers and picturesque location of this remarkably intact fortress, a chronicle in stone of medieval castle technology.