Kidwelly: History, Circular Walks and Nature by the Water

Kidwelly combines medieval history with waterside paths, opportunities to observe nature, cycling routes and rail connections.

Castle, Church and Industrial Heritage

Admission tickets for Kidwelly Castle can be purchased on site or booked online. The castle was built in the early 12th century as a Norman motte-and-bailey castle made of wood and was initially protected only by an earth bank and a ditch. By the 1280s, the Chaworth brothers, influential Marcher Lords, had created the stone structure known as the “castle within the castle”, which is still preserved at Kidwelly Castle today.

Other buildings and sites include Kidwelly Quay, St Mary’s Church and the Kidwelly Industrial Museum. Kidwelly Quay is a stone quay built by Thomas Kymer in 1768. A church was founded on the site of St Mary’s Church, also known as the Priory Church, in 1114. St Mary’s Church also has a broach spire, whose square base changes into an octagonal shape towards the top. The Kidwelly Industrial Museum site includes archaeological industrial workings from the 18th century. Kymer’s Canal is known as the “oldest canal in Wales”.

Circular Walks along the Canal and by the Water

The circular walk through Kidwelly begins at the junction of Bridge Street and Station Road and follows Kymer’s Canal. In addition, a two-mile circular walk of moderate difficulty begins and ends at the Quay Car Park. The distance and moderate difficulty can be taken into account when planning a day for this circular route from the Quay Car Park.

On the return journey to the quay, the circular walk from the Quay Car Park follows the banks of the Gwendraeth Fawr. Along the path beside the estuary at Kidwelly Quay, birdwatchers can see lapwings, dunlins, curlews, black-tailed godwits, redshanks and teal. The two specific observation sites are on different routes: at the estuary near Kidwelly Quay and north of the Glan yr Afon walking/cycling path.

Getting There and Cycling Connection

Trains run daily from Cardiff and Swansea via the South Wales Mainline, and from Carmarthen via the West Wales Line, to Kidwelly.

There is also a specific connection for cyclists: National Cycle Network Route 4 runs through Kidwelly via Bridge Street, continues via the Glan yr Afon car park and follows the riverside path to Ferryside. For a cycling tour, Bridge Street, the car park and the riverside path can be planned as successive sections. The meadow north of the Glan yr Afon walking/cycling path is suitable for observing birds and butterflies and is home to a large population of bee orchids.

Monthly Market in Kidwelly

A monthly pop-up food market takes place on the Town Square in Kidwelly on the first Saturday of every month.

Further comparisons with nearby places: Burry Port, Llanelli, St. Ishmael

For the overview of the wider travel destination: Carmarthenshire.