A Life Rooted in Rural Wales
Born and raised on her family farm, Marian Evans spent her childhood in the picturesque countryside of Carmarthenshire, Wales. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the region, she grew up helping her parents and siblings care for the farm animals. Her days were filled with the rhythm of rural life, from milking cows to tending to the livestock.
"I'd help my dad on the farm, helping to milk the cows and tend to the animals," Marian recalls. "Because it was a dairy farm, they'd be milking every morning and night." While days out were rare, one special place stood out in her memory—Llansteffan Castle. Located just a few miles away, this historic site became a cherished escape for young Marian and her family.
A Childhood Connection to Llansteffan Castle
Marian often visited Llansteffan Castle with her family, enjoying walks and ice cream along its scenic surroundings. She describes the castle as a magical place that felt like a world away from home. "It was always kind of a bit of a magical place that felt very far from home, in some ways, to a small child," she explains.
This early connection to the castle would later shape her life. After moving away for university and work, Marian pursued a career in property and insurance. However, her return to Wales came when she fell in love with a Welshman. This relationship deepened her appreciation for Welsh heritage, culture, and language.
A New Chapter: Owning Llansteffan Castle
Marian's journey to owning Llansteffan Castle began with a conversation with an estate agent. At the time, the castle was part of a larger estate that had been sold off over the years. By the time Marian discovered the remaining parts of the estate, she decided to make an offer.
She first purchased Plas Farm and later, after a lengthy process, became the owner of Llansteffan Castle. The castle, located near the sandy shores of the Tywi Estuary and Carmarthen Bay, dates back to the 12th century. Although now in ruins, much of its impressive structure remains, including a twin-towered gatehouse. It is open to the public and available as a wedding venue.
The castle is maintained by Cadw, an organization under the Welsh Government that helps protect historic buildings and sites. However, owning a castle comes with its own set of challenges.
Challenges of Preserving a Historic Site
Marian has found that any building work on the castle must follow strict regulations. "There are challenges because, if there's anything that we would like to do there, then we have to make sure that it's absolutely in keeping with what CADW would like," she says.
"As an ancient monument, same as with a listed building, there's things that you have to do. There's quite a lot of red tape, but they're doing that to safeguard it in its current form and to make sure that it's preserved and protected and honoured in the way that it should be."
The Beauty of Carmarthenshire
For Marian, the stunning hills of Carmarthenshire, where the castle sits, represent "the real Wales." She praises the area for being "authentic" and "unspoiled," calling it "enchanting because it's not too commercialised."
Carmarthenshire offers a range of natural attractions, from the two longest beaches in Wales—Pendine Sands and Cefn Sidan—to beautiful forests like the Brecon Beacons, which feature amazing mountain biking tracks. "It really is a county that kind of has everything," Marian says.
Exploring More of Carmarthenshire
To learn more about Carmarthenshire, visit discovercarmarthenshire.com. For information on events and activities at Llansteffan Castle, visit llansteffancastle.com.