Roche Castle
Has been described as a Certain Fortified Manor House
There are masonry footings remains
| Name | Roche Castle |
| Alternative Names | Macrels |
| Historic Country | Carmarthenshire |
| Modern Authority | Carmarthenshire |
| 1974 Authority | Dyfed |
| Community | Laugharne Township |
Roche Castle consists of a rather irregular moat which defines a levelled, polygonal area, some 60m north-east to south-west by 50m, resting on a stream channel on the south-east. Various stone structures have also been noted within the south-western part of the enclosed area (Butler 1962), notably a north-west to south-east range, about 19.5m by 7.0m, flanked by rounded turrets, one of which yet remains; a dovecote had been removed by 1912: associated finds suggest 13th-14th century and later construction/occupation. (Coflein)
All that remains of Roche Castle today is a single stone tower with small stretches of abutting walls projecting from it to the northeast and southeast. The tower and walls were heavily covered with ivy at the time of the site visit but some architectural details were observable such as a fragment of arched vaulting and the chamber within the circular tower. The castle was in a ruinous state by the early 17th century when it is recorded as being robbed of stone for the construction of the nearby mansion at Broadway. The Ordnance Survey map of 1831 shows a wall linking two towers on the south-western side of a flat platform area. Subsequent building development on the site, especially during the 1960s, has presumably destroyed much of the fabric of the original castle and its foundations. The castle lies on a platform that is terraced into a gentle southeast facing slope, the platform is still recognisable despite the presence of modern buildings and the effects of later landscaping. The site lies on the 40m contour. (Dyfed Archaeological Trust HER)
Not scheduled
Not Listed
The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
| OS Map Grid Reference | SN294102 |
| Latitude | 51.764720916748 |
| Longitude | -4.47309017181396 |
| Eastings | 229410 |
| Northings | 210220 |
