So, what are the top 5 castles to visit in South Wales? These are our choices with the reasons we chose them and a bit of their history.
All the castles in the list are at least 700 years old and have all been used as strongholds to assert power. Whether by Welsh princes or Anglo-Norman Lords. The list doesn’t include any mansions or country houses that are sometimes referred to as castles.
These are all ‘proper‘ castles, and when you visit Wales. Just ensure to make time to see at least one of them. So let’s get started with the list: The Top Five Castles In South Wales.
Kidwelly Castle
Kidwelly Castle dates from the 12th century and like many castles in Wales, it was first constructed in wood then reinforced in stone. It was built by the invading Normans and they were frequently attacked by the Welsh, especially during the early period of the castle. One of these attackers was Lord Rhys who attacked Kidwelly in 1159.
Many of the towers of Kidwelly Castle are still intact and you’re allowed to climb them. Also, if you’re a Monty Python fan you can see Kidwelly Castle in the very first scene of the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. When Arthur emerges through the mist, the castle in front of him is Kidwelly Castle.
Carreg Cennen Castle
Carreg Cennen dates from the 13th century and it sits in a dramatic position on a craggy outcrop of rock. It was the site of an earlier Welsh Castle but that was completely demolished to build Carreg Cennen. The castle was probably built by John Gifford, a baron loyal to Edward I.
In the southeast corner of the inner ward you can find steps which lead down to a creepy limestone cave. If you choose to go down, you will need a torch.
Carreg Cennen was voted by the readers of Country File magazine as one of the most picturesque ruins in Wales. The castle is located about 12 miles north at the end of the M4 on the western side of the Brecon Beacons.
Pembroke Castle
Pembroke Castle is another Norman Castle dating from the 12th century. It was first built as a simple motte and bailey wooden construction but it was William Marshall who built the stone structure, the remains of which we can see today. It had been an important site long before the Normans and there’s evidence of Roman occupation.
One feature from the Marshall era is the impressive 80 foot high round keep with its stone dome. The castle is built over a natural cavern known as Wogan’s Cavern and you can access this from the castle itself.
Pembroke Castle was the birthplace of Henry VII, the first Tudor monarch. He became King when he defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth field.
Pembroke Castle is located in the town of Pembroke in the far southwest of Wales.
Cardiff Castle
Cardiff Castle has been an important defensive position for nearly 2000 years. It was a Roman fort from the 1st to the 4th Century A.D and the Normans built a wooden motte and bailey structure back in the 11th century. In the 12th century, Robert of Gloucester built the stone keep which you can still see today.
Cardiff Castle was involved in the conflicts between the Anglo-Norman Lords and the Welsh, being attacked several times in the 12th century it was also stormed in 1404 during the revolt by Owain Glyndwr.
The castle was transformed in the Victorian era by the third Marquis of Bute. He employed William Burges to remodel the castle in a Gothic revival style. I did say I wasn’t going to include mansions or country houses but Cardiff Castle is different because the Norman castle and the keep are still there. The Marquis of Bute’s Victorian additions are in the grounds of the old castle. You can find Cardiff Castle in the heart of the city centre.
Caerphilly Castle
The Welsh didn’t build Caerphilly Castle but they tried pretty hard to knock it down.
In 1268 these persistent Welsh attacks inspired Gilbert de Clare to construct the biggest castle in Wales and second only to Windsor in the UK. To put the size of the castle into perspective, it’s three times the size of the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
One of the castle’s main features is the incredible leaning tower which leans more than the Tower of Pisa. Some people claim it’s due to damage after the English Civil War but there’s not really any sign of deliberate damage and was probably caused by subsidence.
Caerphilly Castle is located only 20 minutes north of Cardiff.
Those were our top 5 castles in South Wales. If you’re local, no doubt you have your favourite. Although, if you’re a tourist, you can’t go wrong visiting any of them.
Many of these castles are managed by CADW, the Welsh government agency. Visit the CADW website to learn more.
