Recent archaeological thinking suggests that the castle's main function may have been recreational rather than defensive; it was probably built as a hunting lodge, with accompanying gardens in the style of a late medieval ‘pleasance’.

[7] A new ambitious noble residence, enclosed in a high stone wall, with defensive banks and ditches, was started in the early 14th century, probably by Gilbert de Clare.

[10] Kenyon supports the contention that the primary purpose of the castle was as a “grand country retreat or hunting lodge, albeit martial in appearance”, rather than a truly defensive structure.

[5] During the English Civil War the dilapidated castle was refortified and held by an influential local magnate, Sir Trevor Williams, 1st Baronet.

[d][17][16] The north and south stable ranges, both contemporaneous with the new house, remain and are Grade II listed buildings.

[18][19] The site is listed at Grade II on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.

[22] The archaeological team had available the extensive historical record of cost accounts from medieval Tregrug, which show expenses for elaborate gardening for the structure.

John Kenyon suggests that the high quality of the design and construction of these facilities, built in finely cut ashlar, is indicative of the domestic and recreational purposes of the castle.