Several of the buildings of Carmarthen Workhouse survive, including the gatehouse famously stormed by Rebecca rioters in 1843. The rioters were later cut down by dragoons.
A poorhouse was built in 1805-6 and this was was the workhouse from 1821. The present compex was first built in 1837-40 to house the poor of twenty-eight parishes. The main section was rebuilt in 1907-8 following a fire. After 1930 it became a Public Assistance Institute, when the main range was modified and other parts were demolished. More recently it has housed offices, but by 2000 the main building was deteriorating. The gatehouse is a listed building.
The workhouse is depicted on the 1st edition OS 1:500 Town plan of 1888 and the County series 2nd edition (Carmarthen. XXXIX.2 1906). The main block fronted a grid of ranges enclosing two courts. To the east was a long three storey range including the early nineteenth century gatehouse. To the south is a long two storey range.
The main range of 1907-8 is a rendered three storey building under a slate hipped roof. It faces south with the entrance in a two storey projecting central block. This, with various bay windows, was probably added about 1930, along with the diagonal sanitary towers at the rear. A baroque gabled composion rises from the main range above the entrance.
The gatehouse is a stark two storey hipped-roof building. The outer elevation is a stuccoed three bay composition ordered by plain pilaster strips and narrow bands. It has a flatted elliptical archway closed by doubled doors, but no windows. The inner elevation is similar but with windows.

Source: NMR Holdings
CADW Listed Buildings Database (9517)

John Wiles 19.10.07