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Cardiff Castle

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Cardiff Castle, in Wales, was founded in 1081 as a Motte and Bailey fortification, on the site of an earlier Roman fort. A small settlement grew up around it, a settlement that was to become Cardiff. Over the centuries the castle fell into the hands of many noble families, until in 1766 it passed into the Bute family. The Butes made a fortune in the export of coal, and the family wealth allowed the creation of opulent interiors which are still available to view. There are guided tours, and specialist tours for groups interested in history, or fine and decorative art. Visitors can also enjoy the castle grounds where peacocks and geese wander freely. There is a tea room and a gift shop.

Much of Cardiff Castle now has a fairytale appearance, suggesting ancient, mythic times. In fact this Gothic Revival style remodelling took place between 1868 and 1930, under the guidance of the 3rd and 4th Marquess of Bute. Like Leeds Castle in Kent, a battle around this lovely building would only serve to ruin the stonework. Castles are often beautiful,and I have to say, peaceful places. There's a strange contradiction in castles that date from the days when the banks and trenches of Iron Age castles were built along similar lines to the banks and trenches of religious sites such as Avebury. The desire for spiritual security expressed itself in building schemes that looked similar to the structures built in search of physical security. Later in history important religious figures responsible for cathedral building, were also responsible for building castles. This is true, for example, of Bishop Gundulf, who following the Norman invasion built both Rochester Cathedral and neighbouring Rochester Castle. Cardiff Castle started out as a no nonsense Roman, and then Norman, fort, and this functionality still comes over in the central tower standing on its Norman mound. But the rest of the castle now has a dreamy quality and is closer to Avebury than it is to any castle built to fight in.

Opening Times: Cardiff Castle is open daily from March to October 9am to 6pm and from November to February 9:30am to 5pm. Last entry one hour before closing. The castle is closed 25th, 26th December and 1st January.

Directions: From the M4 follow signs to Cardiff city centre,and park in one of the city centre car parks. The castle is then a short walk away in the middle of Cardiff, off the Kingsway and Duke's Street. Click here for an interactive map centred on Cardiff Castle.

Access: castle apartments are not accessible to wheelchair users, although the Castle Green, tearoom, education centre and Welsh Banquet area are accessible. Touch tours can be pre-booked for visitors with visual impairment.

Contact:

phone:(+44) 029 2087 8100

e-mail: cardiffcastle@cardiff.gov.uk