The town existed well before the Normans, the Romans building a fort in AD 75-77 and a settlement developed. After the Romans departed it became a centre of the welsh community-there is evidence of a Celtic church dedicated to St.Teulyddog. The Normans under command of William fitz Baldwin arrived in 1094, although they decided against building within the old Roman fort but built a new Castle which overlooked the river. Originally known as Rhyd-y-Gors, the castle was destroyed and re-built several times. A community developed outside the Castle gates and received its first grant of privileges from Henry 1 in 1109. The original welsh settlement to the east was allowed to continue and fell under the control of St.John's priory by royal grant of Henry 11.
Therefore during the medieval period there were two Carmarthen's-an Anglo-Saxon borough below the castle and a native township around the old church of St Teulyddogs. In 1223 Carmarthen received a murage, the earliest known in Wales, and the area of the modern Guildhall, Quay St and Bridge Street was enclosed. It remained a small town with probably 150-180 burgages-of which about half could have been accommodated within the castle walls.
After Owain Glyndwr's attacks of 1403 and 1405 it was decided to extend the castle walls, and Henry V gave a grant of £20.00 towards the cost. Two streams formed a natural moat around the west and north walls , with a marsh in the John Street area which was not drained until the 17th Century. The castle wall ran from eastwards from the south-east tower of the castle above Dan-y-banc , then north-west crossing Spilman and King Street. The wall then went south-west down Wood's Row, passing through the lower end of Jackson's lane as far as the Dark gate in Lower Guildhall Square. It then went south following the former stream now covered by Blue St, then turning east to link with the South Tower of the castle. There were gates at the crossing of Spilman and King Street, at the end of Red Lion Yard leading into Chapel Street, at the bottom of Bridge and Quay Street.
In the 14th Century the population was probably 1000. In 1326 it was made a staple port with a license to deal in wool, pelts, leather, lead and tin and was an important vase for the emerging fishing industry. By the end of the 16th century the population had grown to 2250 with development taking place outside the walled area along Lammas street and Priory St. Carmarthen was the most populous town in Wales until the large scale urbaisation of the early 19th Century
Attraction
Aberglasney
Carmarthen Heritage Centre
Carmarthenshire County Museum
Gwili Railway
Laugharne Castle
Museum of Speed
Museum of Welsh Woollen Industry
National Botanic Garden of Wales
Camping
Pendine Sands Holiday Park
Trawsmawr Y Cwm
Caravan Park
Ants Hill Caravan Park
Nine Acres Camping Caravan Park
Pendine Sands Holiday Park
Care Home
Glyncoed Care Home
Plas-y-Dderwen
Classes
Dance - Diane Dunbar Dancing School
Club
Cottage
Llecheigon Farmhouse
Love That Beach
The Coach House
Council
Carmarthenshire County Council
Dentist
Brynteg Dental Practice
Deintyddfar Capel Dental Practice
Dental Surgery
The Dental Practice
Doctor
Furnace House Surgery
Morfa Lane Surgery
St Peter's Surgery
Estate Agent
Clee Tompkinson and Francis
Cornerstones Lettings & Chartered Surveyors
Evans Peter & Co
Halifax Property Services - John Francis
Sarah MacBean Estate Agents
The Home Rental Company
Thomas Terry & Co
Golf Club
Health and Fitness Club
Holiday Park
Hostel
Pant-yr-Athro International Hostel
Inn
Boars Head Hotel
Drovers Arms Hotel
Greenbridge Inn
Ivy Bush Royal Hotel
Spilman Hotel
Market
Carmarthen Country Market
Carmarthen Market
Performing Arts
Pub and Bar
Butchers Arms Llanddarog
Diablo’s
Emlyn Arms
Halfway Inn
Mansel Arms
Stag & Pheasant
Tanners Arms
Three Salmons
Restaurant
Angel Vaults
Butchers Arms Llanddarog
Caban Y Dderwem
Diablo’s
Gatehouse
Ginger
Old Curiosity
Oriental Garden
Quayside Brasserie
Restaurant 7teen
Spread Eagle
Tafarn
Taj Balti
Thyme Bistro
Ty Mawr Country Hotel
Y Polyn
Self-Catering
Solicitor
Andrew Markham
Morris Roberts Solicitors
Pritchard Edwards
Taxi
Adrian Taxis
Chris Cars
Gemini Cars
Paul's Taxis
Steves Taxis
Vet
Sports Clubs
Bronwydd CC (Cricket)
Carmarthen Judo Club (Martial Arts)
Carmarthen TC (Tennis)
Shops
Florabunda
Boots
Natural Therapy Centre
Whittard of Chelsea
Newcare
Jones & Murphy
Evans & Wilkins
Johnny's
Carphone Warehouse
Haycock Studio
PC World
Pencae Mawr Traditional Farm Foods
S & J Organics
Peacocks
Edinburgh Woollen Mill
Rowlands Pharmacy
Specsavers
J J B Sports
Pets At Home
Gwalia Garage Services Shop
Waverley Stores Health Food
Activities
Morfa Bay Adventure(Adventure)
Shaggy Sheep Adventure(Adventure)
Places to Stay near Carmarthen
Dolwerdd B & B (0.43 miles)
Dolwerdd is a classic Georgian style house with many original features. Overlooking open countryside in a quite location, yet only one mile from the historic market town of Carmarthen. Ideally ... More
Drovers Arms Hotel (0.49 miles)
Situated in the historic town of Carmarthen, this traditional inn offers calm and comfortable accommodation, all of which is en suite and equipped with standard facilities. Drovers Arms Hotel has recently been refurbished and the bar ... More | visit website
Boars Head Hotel (0.55 miles)
The Boar's Head Hotel is a famous Coaching Inn, steeped in history and dating back to the early 17th Century. Today with the Wales Tourist Board 3*, it offers en-suite facilities in all bedrooms.
With its ... More | visit website
Spilman Hotel (0.73 miles)
Originally built in 1840, this charming family-run hotel offers free Wi-Fi wireless internet access and free secure private parking, right in the very heart of the market town of Carmarthen. With a ... More
Ivy Bush Royal Hotel (0.75 miles)
The Ivy Bush Royal commands a spectacular position at the gateway to West Wales. Welcomes business and leisure travellers to this beautiful part of the country in considerable style and comfort. The ... More
Hollybrook Country Inn (2.80 miles)
The Pool House (4.76 miles)
Click here to book this cottage with Hoseasons
Enjoying glorious views and the luxury of a private indoor swimming pool and sauna, this wing of a tranquil country house makes an ideal base for family ... More
Ty Castell - Home of the Kingfisher (5.40 miles)
Glangwili Mansion (6.40 miles)
Plas Alltyferin (6.92 miles)
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