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Castell Coch, Wales

Castell Coch is a Victorian fantasy castle built in the nineteenth century by the third Marquis of Bute and his architect William Burges. Construction took place on the foundations of ancient ruins a few miles north of Cardiff. There is no documentary evidence relating to the castle's original construction, or to any part it may have played in territorial conflict in south Wales. However, the original castle, according to Cadw (historic environment agency of Wales), was a Norman construction, later extended by the Clare Lords of Glamorgan around 1290. This was perhaps done to counter southern expansion by the north Welsh Lord Llywelyn. Structural evidence seems to suggest that the castle was destroyed in the early fourteenth century, probably during rebellions in Glamorgan between 1314 and 1316. From that time the castle sat as a slowly crumbling ruin on its high position at the mouth of the Taff gorge.

 

It wasn't until the nineteenth century that Castell Coch once again found a role to play. The castle was one of three in the area of Cardiff restored by the massively wealthy industrialist, John Patrick Crichton-Stewart, third Marquis of Bute. The Industrial Revolution influenced Wales deeply. The census of 1851 revealed that the principality was the first place in the world to have more of its population employed in industry than working on the land. While industrialisation overall made people more wealthy, and inspite of popular conceptions, improved their lives, there was a romantic reaction against nineteenth century urban living and rationality. Villages and childhood were idealised, gardens were created as perfect patches of nature; and the third Marquis of Bute, whose family had made money in the new industries, dedicated a fortune to restoring romantic castles, symbols of a distant and mysterious past. Cardiff Castle, Castell Coch, and Caerphilly Castle all soaked up vast sums in their restoration and rebuilding. The third Marquis was a deeply religious man, as can be seen in the decoration of Cardiff Castle and Castell Coch. He converted to Catholicism at the age of twenty one, and was obsessively devoted to his religion from then on. His castles were in the last analysis religious symbols. Castles have always been associated with religious buildings, in their architectural details and often in their sharing of the same sites. Bute's incredible castles recalled a seemingly more romantic and mysterious time before the age of rationality. Of the three Bute castles in and around Cardiff, Castell Coch reveals this romantic yearning more powerfully than any of the others. You could say that the third Marquis of Bute spent his fortune in a reaction against the industrial world where his family had made its fortune.

Work started in the summer of 1875. Even though architect William Burges died in 1881, work continued for a further ten years, to finally complete Bute's fantasy. Once finished it was only rarely used as a residence, and was handed over to the state by the fifth Marquis in 1950. Castell Coch survives today as a popular tourist attraction, serving much the same role which the third Marquis wished it to play. The castle is a romantic symbol, a creation of idealised history

Opening Times: 1st April to 31st October, daily 9am - 5pm. 1st November to 31st March, Monday to Saturday 9.30am - 4pm, Sunday 11am - 4pm

. Closed 24th - 26th December and 1st January.

Address: Castell Coch, (off Castle Road), Tongwynlais, Cardiff CF15 7JS

Directions: Leave the M4 at junction 32, and take the A470 for about half a mile. Turn right at the roundabout and follow signs up the hill to the castle.

Access: This is not an easy site for those with mobility problems. There is a steep slope on the entry drawbridge, cobbles in the courtyard, and many steep steps to the rooms in the towers. There is however a visual tour in the courtyard via a screen which for those in a wheelchair would give an idea of the inaccessible areas of the castle.

Contact:

telephone: 01433 336000

web site: http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/default.asp?id=6&PlaceID=48