Brecon Beacons Tourism

Caerphilly Castle

Like the famous cheese, the castle has long been synonymous with Caerphilly. It dominates. Hogs the limelight. Think slumbering giant, awaiting a call to arms. Respect where respect is due.

This stone behemoth, surrounded by a series of moats and watery islands, was the brainchild of Gilbert ‘the Red’ de Clare, a redheaded nobleman of Norman descent who also built the original Castell Coch, ‘Red Castle’, located the other side of Caerphilly mountain.

Gilbert de Clare and Llywelyn ap Gruffydd were contemporaries at war and early attempts by Gilbert to build a castle were thwarted by the Welsh prince. Gilbert eventually won through and built a mammoth stronghold using the concentric ‘walls within walls’ system of defence. He also made sure there were large and comfortable rooms to live in.

However, once the threat posed by Llywelyn was quelled by Edward I, the raison d’etre for this massive fortress changed. The castle’s condition worsened until late in the 19th century when the third marquess of Bute began preservation work. We have a lot to thank the Butes for in South Wales!

54 click throughs, 1267 views since 2011

Attraction in Caerphilly Cardiff

• Entrance Charge

  • Adults: £3.60 Reduced Rate: £3.20
  • Family Ticket: £10.40 (admits 2 adults & all children under 16)
  • Children under 5: FREE
  • Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Prices valid until 31st March 2010. Assistance dogs only. No smoking.

• Opening Times

  Last admission 30 mins before closing. 1 Apr-31 Oct 09: daily 9am-5pm. 1 Nov 09 -31 Mar 10: Mon-Sat 9.30am-4pm; Sun 11am-4pm Closed: 24, 25, 26 Dec, 1 Jan

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• Contact Details

  Email Us! - Map Available

• Caerphilly Castle
  Caerphilly Cardiff CF83 1JD UK
  phone: 02920 883143 fax:
  Our Website

• News & Special Offers

  Ask about free entry if you are 60 and over or 16 and under and live in Wales.