VISITORS’ enjoyment of a Tywi Valley landmark has been enhanced thanks to careful work carried out earlier this month.

The Llandovery Castle Amenity Project was being carried out by Towy Projects Ltd to improve the area around the castle’s site.

The work involved creating new steps to the castle mound and a new amenity area near the Llywelyn Ap Gruffydd Fychan statue, which has three picnic table benches – made from recycled plastic and supplied by Roman Solutions.

The project was a delicate one due to the historical restrictions on construction.

The site is a Scheduled Monument, so no excavations were allowed beyond a 100mm depth, meaning the ‘floating steps’ rise from the former bailey level of the castle up to the highest point of the castle mound.

They were carefully designed to ‘float’ on the surface of the sloping ground and stabilized under their own weight. The steps are made of oak.

South Wales Guardian: The amenity area.The amenity area. (Image: Handel Davies)

Towy Projects Ltd owner Andrew Davies said: “As a local company it was a rare opportunity to undertake such a unique project alongside local contractor Jeff Davies and designer Carl Morgan which will hopefully benefit the town for many years to come.”

It was coordinated by Handel Davies, mayor and county councillor of Llandovery, on behalf of Llandovery Town Council and was funded by Carmarthenshire County Council.

The project was completed on May 17 in perfect time for the Urdd Eisteddfod which is being held in Llandovery this week.

Following permission from Carmarthenshire County Council who own the land, and Scheduled Monument consent from Cadw, construction works were carried out in only four weeks, under the watchful eye of archaeologists.