Wales
Cardiff & South Wales Coast

Historic Houses

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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.

Built by the wealthy third Marquess of Bute on medieval foundations within a Norman wall. He enlisted William Burges as his architect and built the castle with every conceivable decoration possible in its interior. The castle is located in the city centre within the site used by both the Romans and the Normans for defensive purposes. The 12-sided Norman keep still sits on top of a small hill today, providing views over Cardiff.

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 by the 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.

Llancaiach Fawr
Located off the B4254, south of Merthyr Tydfil. Phone: (0) 1443 412248. There are candlelight ghost tours in the winter months.
Llancaiach Fawr Manor was the home of Colonel Edward Prichard during the Civil War years. Guides are dressed in period costume and speak in the style of the 17th century. Tales of life in a Civil War gentry household are unfolded when touring the home. Charles I visited in 1645. After his visit loyalties were switched from the King to Parliament. The house was built circa 1530 by Colonel Prichard's great grandfather and is a good example of a semi-fortified manor house of Tudor times. The parlour is panelled in oak.

HISTORIC HOUSES OF WALES
Anglesey & Snowdonia | North Wales & Borders | Mid Wales & Brecon Beacons | Ceredigion | Pembrokeshire | Carmarthenshire | Swansea & Gower | Cardiff and South Wales Coast | Wye Valley & Vale of Usk

WALES TRAVEL GUIDE
ATTRACTIONS IN WALES BY REGION
Map of Regions
Anglesey and Snowdonia | North Wales Coast and Borderlands | Mid Wales and Brecon Beacons | Ceredigion | Pembrokeshire | Carmarthenshire | Swansea, Gower and the Vale of Neath | Cardiff, Coast, & Valleys of South Wales | Wye Valley and Vale of Usk

ATTRACTIONS IN WALES BY TYPE OF ATTRACTION
Abbeys & Monasteries | Ancient Sites | Castles | Gardens | Historic Churches & Religious Sites | Historic Houses | Museums | Roman Remains

Photo Credits - both photos courtesy of Wales Tourist Board