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Caerphilly Castle

The largest stone built castle in Wales. Its construction began in 13th-c and was completed in the 14th-c by Gilbert de Clare. This famous fortress, which has stared as a backdrop in many films and TV series (including Merlin), is surrounded by impressive land and water defences. A unique feature is its leaning tower, which partially collapsed due to subsidence.

Opening times: all year (closed Xmas & NY), daily from 9am (winter times many vary) - Admission Charge
Location: Caerphilly, CF83 1JD - Tel: 029 2088 3143 - Website

Caldicot Castle & Country Park

These formidable Norman fortifications, were redeveloped in the 14th-c as a family home by a wealthy Victorian. Its tall medieval walls and towers are set in tranquil gardens and lovely wooded country parkland.

Opening times: Apr~Oct, daily, 11am to 5pm
Admission Charge
Location: Church Rd, Caldicot, Monmouthshire, NP26 4HU - Tel: 01291 420241 - Website

Carreg Cennen Castle

The romantic ruins of Carreg Cennen Castle are one of the most dramatically sited in Wales. Located at the western end of the Brecon Beacons National Park, high on a rocky outcrop in the Usk valley.

Opening times: daily from 9.30 (Closed Xmas Day)
Admission Charge
Location: Trapp, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, SA19 6UA -
Tel: 01558 822291 - Website

Carew Castle

This magnificent Norman castle has links with Henry Tudor and was the scene of a great tournament in 1507. Near the castle is a fine Celtic Cross and a working Tidal Mill.

Opening times: All year, daily from 11 am (closed Xmas) - Admission Charge
Location: SA70 8SL - Tel: 01646 651782 - Website

Cardiff Castle

See Cardiff City.

Castell Coch

Castell Coch (or red castle), is a 13th-c fairy-tale castle of red sandstone with conical towers. The present reconstruction was built as a late-19th-c folly designed by the Victorian architect Burges, for the Marquess of Bute. Internally it is decorated in a highly ornate fantasy style.

Opening times: all year, Apr-Oct, daily 9am to 5pm; Nov-Mar, Mon-Sat 9.30am to 4pm, Sun 11am to 4pm - Admission Charge
Location: Tongwynlais, Cardiff, CF15 7JS - Tel: 029 2081 0101 - Website

Chepstow Castle

See Chepstow.

Cilgerran Castle

Set above a gorge of the River Teif. Dating from the 11th-c, the structure has decayed gradually since the time of the Civil War. However, its great round towers and high walls still provide a vivid impression of its former strength.

Opening times: all year, daily from 10am (closed Xmas) - Admission Charge
Location: SM3 2SF - Tel: 01239 621339 - Website

Coity Castle

A 12th-c Norman fortress, with a hall, chapel and the remains of a square keep.

Opening times: all year, any reasonable time (normally 10am to 4pm daily) - Free Entry
Location: Nr Bridgend, CF35 6BG - Tel: 01443 336000 - Website

Dryslwyn Castle

Romantic ruins of a 13th-c native Welsh fortress, situated in a very picturesque position overlooking the Tywi Valley. Dryslwyn is steeped in medieval history and well worth visiting.

Opening times: all year, daily 10am to 4pm (closed Xmas) - Free Entry
Location: Carmarthen, SA32 8RW - Tel: 01443 336000 - Website

Dinefwr Park and Castle

One of Britain's most important historic and cultural sites, covering a thousand years of Welsh history. Noted for its impressive round keep and splendidly restored manor house. The 800 acre estate and surrounding parkland was remodeled in the 18th-c. Lovely walks and way marked trials. Managed by the National Trust*

Opening times: Feb~Dec, from 11am - Admission Charge*
Location: SAI9 6RT - Tel: 01558823902 - Website

Lamphey Bishop's Palace

Ancient 13th-c palace ruins, once belonging to the Bishops of St David's.

Opening times: Apr-Mar, daily 10am to 5pm - Admission Charge
Location: Lamphey, SA7l 5NT - Tel: 01646 672224 - Website

Laugharne Castle

Medieval Castle situated on a low ridge, overlooking the Taff Estuary. Now more of a Elizabethan mansion than a fortress, it is set within an elaborate Victorian garden. The site was inspiration for some of Dylan Thomas' later works.

Opening times: Apr-Oct, daily 10am to 5pm - Admission Charge
Location: King St, Kidwelly, SA33 4SA - Tel: 01994 427906 - Website

Llansteffan Castle

The ruins of a 12th-c fortress, built on the site of a much older Iron Age promontory fort. Located on the west side of the Towy estuary, it was held by the de Camvilles for much of the Middle Ages.

Opening times: all year, daily 10am to 4pm (closed Xmas) - Free Entry
Location: near the village of Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire - Tel: 01443 336000 - Website

Llanthony Priory

Ruins of an abbey built by Hugh de Lacey on the site of a hermitage dedicated to St David.

Opening times: all year, daily 10am to 4pm - Free Access
Location: Llanthony, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 7NN - Tel: 01443 336000 - Website

Llawhaden Castle

Built in the 12th-c to protect the possessions of the Bishops of St David's. The ruins of the bishops' hall, kitchen, bake house and other buildings can still be seen, all surrounded by a deep moat.

Opening times: all year, daily 10am to 4pm - Free Entry
Location: Llawhaden (10 miles east of Haverfordwest), Pembrokeshire - Tel: 01443336000 - Website

Neath Abbey

Ruins of a Cistercian abbey founded in 1130 by Richard de Grainville.

Opening times: all year, daily 10am to 4pm - Free Entry
Location: Neath, Neath Port Talbot - Tel: 01443 336000 - Website

Newcastle

Small ruined Norman stronghold dating back to the 12th-c. Remains include a small rectangular tower and ornate Norman gateway set about by massive curtain walls.

Opening times: all year, any reasonable time (normally 10-4 daily) - Free Entry
Location: Bridgend - Tel: 0144 3336000 - Website

Ogmore Castle

Situated on the banks of the Ogmore. A 12th-c keep and dry moat surrounds the castles inner ward.

Opening times: all year, daily 10am to 4pm - Free Entry
Location: near Ogmore-by-Sea, Glamorgan - Tel: 01443336000 - Website

Old Beaupre Castle

Ruined manor house rebuilt during the 16th-c. Its most notable features are an Italianate gatehouse and an unusual three-storey porch.

Opening times: all year, daily 10am to 4pm - Free Entry
Location: Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, CF71 7LT - Tel: 01443 336000 - Website

Raglan Castle

Impressive ruins of a 15th-c castle, famed for its 'Yellow Tower of Gwent'. Built by Sir William Thomas and mostly destroyed during the Civil War.

Opening times: all year, daily from 9am (Sun from 11am) - Admission Charge
Location: Raglan, Usk, NP15 2BT - Tel: 01291 690228 - Website

Tintern Abbey

Romantic abbey ruins located on the southern edge of Tintern, between the A466 and the River Wye, just south from Monmouth.

These spectacular monastic ruins were made famous by both Wordsworth and Turner. Built in 1131, the abbey was home to Cistercian Monks, one of the strictest and most successful orders in the 12th & 13th-c.

Opening times: see website for details - Admission Charge
Location: Tintern, Gwent, NP16 6SE - Tel: 01291 689251 - Website

White Castle

One of three Norman castles located in an 8 mile radius of each other. Built during the 12th and 13th centuries, to control the unstable Welsh borders.

White Castle is the most dramatic of the three, set in rolling green countryside. This impressive moated castle, built not long after the Norman invasion and later strengthened by Edward I. So named, as its walls were once plastered white. Among the many prisoners incarcerated within its walls was Rudolf Hess, held here after he landed in Scotland during WWII.

Skenfrith Castle has a fine circular keep built from sturdy red sandstone.

Grosmont Castle is the most rundown of the three castles and contains the ruins of a 13th-c great hall.

Opening times: Apr~Oct: Wed to Sun, 10am - 5pm - Admission Charge
Location: Llanthony Crosseny, Abergavenny, Gwent, NP7 8UD - Tel: 01600 780380 - Website

Select Another Region To Visit

Towns and Villages in South Wales

Bridgend , Abertillery , Caerphilly , Cardiff , Merthyr Tydfil, Neath, Port Talbot, Ferndale, Pontypridd , Swansea , Pontypool , Abergavenny, Chepstow, Monmouth, Newport, Barry, Cowbridge, Llantwit Major, Penarth, Ammanford, Carmarthen, Kidwelly, Llandovery, Llanelli, St. Clears, Haverfordwest, Fishguard, Milford Haven, Pembroke, St. David's, Tenby

Other Places to Visit in South Wales

Attractions & Heritage Parks:
Blaenavon | The Big Pit | Caerleon Roman Fort | Caerwent Roman Town | Cosmeston Medieval Village | Dolaucothi Gold Mines | Kidwelly Industrial Museum | Melin Tregwynt Mill | National Roman Legion Museum | Oakwood Park | Rhondda Heritage Park | St Fagans Museum | Old Station Tintern
Gardens & Historic Houses:
Aberglasney Gardens | Bedwellty House | Colby Garden | Dyffryn Gardens | Gnoll Estate | Llancaiach Fawr | Margam Country Park | National Botanic Garden | Scolton Manor | Parc Howard | Tredegar House
Nature, Wildlife & Scenic Sites:
Afan Forest | Craig-y-Nos | Cwmcarn Forest | Dare Valley | Gower Peninsula | Parc Bryn Bach | Pembrokeshire Coast National Park | Vale of Neath | Wye Valley
Castles, Monuments & Abbeys:
Caerphilly Castle | Caldicot Castle | Carreg Cennen Castle | Carew Castle | Castell Coch | Cilgerran Castle | Coity Castle | Dryslwyn Castle | Dinefwr Castle | Lamphey Bishop's Palace | Laugharne Castle | Llansteffan Castle | Llanthony Priory | Llawhaden Castle | Neath Abbey | Newcastle | Ogmore Castle | Old Beaupre Castle | Raglan Castle | Tintern Abbey | White Castle

Please note that the above information was accurate at the time this page was last updated. This information is subject to change at any time (opening times in particular), therefore if you plan on visiting any of the above attractions, please check the owner's website first or phone them for the latest details.