Wales
Cardiff & South Wales Coast

Castles

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Barry Castle
Barry Town, Glamorgan
Bits of a gate and wall are all that remain of this 13th century fortified manor, seat of the de Barry family. The site originally boasted earthwork defenses, later augmented by the adition of stone buildings, a great hall, and gatehouse defended by a drawbridge and portcullis.

Beaupre Castle
near St. Hilary, Glamorgan
A late 13th century building with Tudor additions that make it appear more manor than castle. Much of Beaupre is ruined, but the exceptional 3 story gatehouse and Tudor porch are well preserved. The cluster of buildings surround an inner courtyard. The 14th century hall boasts an impressive contemporary fireplace. Many of the older parts of the castle are closed to the public.

Caerau Castle Ringwork
off the A48 near Cardiff
A Norman ringwork castle within an older Iron Age hillfort (as at Caer Penrhos). Much of the site has been overgrown with vegetation.

Caerphilly Castle
Managed by Cadw. Located ¼ (.4km) mile from Caerphilly via the A468, A469, B4263. Phone: (0) 1222 883143
Caerphilly, covering 30 acres (12.2ha), is one of the greatest surviving castles in the medieval Western world. It was a highpoint in medieval defensive architecture with its massive gatehouses and water features. It was built by Earl Gilbert de Clare, beginning in 1268, to frighten Llwelyn, the last native Prince of Wales, from fighting the Normans in the southern part of Wales. It was then used as a model for Edward I's castles in North Wales. Crafty Llwelyn seized it when it was half finished, but it was soon back in Norman hands. After Llwelyn's defeat and death, the Welsh threat substantially ended, and the castle became the administrative centre for de Clare's estates.

Edward II spent time here. Caerphilly, being uncomfortable for a family residence, eventually decayed, and stone was taken to build a nearby country house. The Victorian Bute family coal money rescued and restored the castle.

An informative Castles of Wales exhibition is located in one tower. Working replicas of siege engines are on the grounds. There is an AV tour available.

Candleston Castle
Merthyr Mawr, Bridgend
More fortified manor than castle, Candleston was built in the late 14th century. A ruined wall surrounds a small courtyard, about which are ranged a hall block and tower, with the later additions of a south wing.

Cardiff Castle
on Castle Street in downtown Cardiff. Phone: 029 20 878100. Email: cardiffcastle@cardiff.gov.uk Cardiff Visitor Centre is located on Wood St., opposite railway and bus stations. Phone: 01222 227281.
Cardiff Castle's extravagant rooms are themed. Astrological and Biblical themes are everywhere. The 15th century Great Hall is the oldest room in the castle and relates to the son of William the Conqueror.

The Winter Smoking Room, located in the Clock Tower, is themed to time with its decor representing the seasons of the year and the days of the week. The Arab room is decorated with gold and sandalwood and parrots, one of the architect Burges' favourite animals. Understandably, the nursery decorations represent fairy tales and nursery rhymes. The bedroom with its mirrored ceiling has a religious theme. Marble fireplaces adorn many of the rooms.

Castell Coch
Near Cardiff off the A470 at Tongwynlais. Cadw. Tel. 029 20 810101.
A Victorian fantasy castle of Marquess of Bute and William Burges-owner and architect of Cardiff Castle. Outstanding architecture and design with rich decorations are a feast for the eye.

Castell Machen
At Machen, A468, several miles east of Caerphilly. Also called Castell Meredydd. Visible from the road only. Fragments of a keep and curtain footings are all that are left of the only native Welsh castle in Gwent. It was built c1217 on a cliff.

Coity Castle
Glamorgan, off A4061 2 miles northeast of Bridgend
Payn de Turberville erected a rudimentary ringwork castle and wooden pallisade here in the very early 12th century, possibly on the remains of an earlier Welsh fortress. His ancestor Sir Gilbert de Turberville replaced the earlier castle with a stone structure in the 1180s, including a curtain wall surrounding a stone keep. Further rebuilding in the 14th century left us with the castle we see today, with the great hall and kitchen block, round towers and the east gate, with its portcullis and drawbridge. The castle fell into ruin after the 16th century, but what remains is an impressive reminder of the might of the Marcher Lords in Wales.

Llanilid Castle
Two miles east of Pencoed, (near M4, exit 35) Glamorgan.
Raised ringwork and ditch of Norman wooden castle.

Llantrisant Castle
In the town of Llantrisant, (A449) Glamorgan.
Built c1245 by Richard de Clare, the remains consist of retaining wall pieces and a round keep.

Morlais Castle
Two miles north of Merthyr Tydfil (A465/A4102/A4060), Mid- Glamorgan.
On a hilltop are the remains of an unfinished English castle built c1287, on the site of an Iron Age hillfort. Round keep, towers, cistern, and miscellaneous building fragments exist along with a complete ground floor with its vault.

Newcastle
On banks of Ogmore River, town centre of Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, on A4063. Cadw. Open site.
Built by 1104 by the Norman lords of Glamorgan and later added to, the remains include a stone curtain wall and towers, a hall and Romanesque architectural detail in the south gateway.

Newport Castle
On southern edge of Newport via A48, A468, M4, A4042. Cadw: exterior only. Open site. 14th century east front with towers is all that survives of this castle, mainly used for administrative purposes.

Ogmore Castle
2 ½ miles southwest of Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, on B4524. Cadw. Open site.
This Norman castle was constructed to guard the bridgehead. The original earth and timber castle was replaced by a stone one c1116 and later 14th century building. Wat now remains are the west wall, fireplace and parts of the first floor and stone curtain wall.

Penmark Castle
Off A4226 at Penmark, South Glamorgan behind parish church.
The castle once belonging to the Umfravilles family. One part of a 13th century stone curtain wall survives along with a semi-circular tower.

St Donat's Castle
Minor road west of Llantwit Major (B4265), Glamorgan. Now used as a college.
Sited on a clifftop with an inner and outer ward and dry moat, the small original tower, square gatehouse, 15th century hall, 16th century north and west ranges, and other building remains span a number of centuries. A modern stately home is erected within the remains with a tower and dining hall.

St Quintin's Castle
At Llanblethian, one mile southwest of Cowbridge (A48). Cadw. Open site.
Little survives of this 14th century castle except parts of the wall to the gatehouse, tower, and square keep and an Edwardian gatehouse.

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Photo Credits - Cardiff Castle courtesy Wales Tourist Board, Caerphilly Castle © Barbara Ballard