Castles and Manor Houses

The three principal castles within Cardiff and the Vale are completely different. Cardiff Castle has a Norman Keep and ornately decorated Victorian appartments, whilst Castel Coch is the ultimate fairytale castle. In contrast Caerphilly is the largest castle in Wales, although little remains of its interiors.    

Cardiff Castle
Featured in Britain's Best Buildings alongside a group of select landmarks including Blenheim Palace, Cardiff Castle lies in the heart of the city. The castle's history spans 2000 years dating from the arrival of the Romans in the 1st Century. It was rebuilt after the Norman conquest when the 12th Century Norman Keep was added, which now affords magnificent views across the city. From 1865 John the 3rd Marquis of Bute (reputedly the richest man in the world) employed the genius architect William Burgess to transform the castle lodgings. Within Gothic towers, he created lavish and opulent interiors rich with murals, stained glass, marble gilding and elaborate wood carvings. Other points of interest are the regimental museum and the famous animal wall. Open All Year. Tel 029 2087 8100 www.cardiffcastle.com

 Castel Coch is built on a hillside on the outskirts of Cardiff. Its conical towers and needle-sharp turrets peek out from a wooded slope, presenting a vision more in tune with the Bavarian countryside, the pages of Sleeping Beauty, or even the studios of Walt Disney, than a Welsh hillside. It is a course, a romantic fantasy, a late 19th century creation inspired by the spirit of the Victorian Age. It was conceived by William Burgess for his patron the Marquis of Bute, as a companion piece to his main home at Cardiff Castle. The exterior complete with working portcullis and drawbridge echo the look of a medieval castle, whilst the interior is a feast of decoration, detail and illusion. Open All Year. Tel 029 2081 0101 www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Caerphilly Castle
This massive sleeping giant was built in the late 13th C by the Anglo-Norman lord, Gilbert de Clare to consolidate his grip on the lands he had captured. The fortress is a supreme example of the concentric walls within walls system of defence, together with outstanding water defences extending way beyond those of a mere moat. Often threatened but unsurprisingly never taken, the castle still intimidates the onlooker and sprawls over 30 acres making it the largest castle in Wales, and along with Windsor and Dover, the largest in Britain. Tel 029 2088 3143  www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

 Also in the Vale are

Fonmon Castle is one of the few medieval castles still lived in as a home. Built by the John family around 1200, it has only changed hands once in 1656 during the Civil War when it was bought by Colonel Phillip Jones a direct ancestor of Sir Brooke Boothy, the present owner. Open April to September, Tuesdays and Wednesdays only 2pm - 5pm. Tel 01446 710206  e-mail : fonmon_castle@msn.com

St Quintens
Standing on a hilltop overlooking Llanblethian Village on the outskirts of Cowbridge are the ruins of the 14th Century castle built by Gilbert de Clare (the younger), Lord of Glamorgan. Although never completed it is a fine example of a quadrilateral castle with an impressive central gatehouse and is scheduled as a Monument of National importance. Now open following restoration work by CADW. Tel 01446 774610  www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Beaupre Castle
Fortified manor house of the Bassett family, rebuilt around a central courtyard by Richard Bassett. Famous porch with mixture of Tudor, Gothic and Renaissance detail at the entrance to the hall.  www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Plas Llanmihangel
Lying just three miles from Cowbridge this 16th Century Elizabethian manor house has some parts dating back to the 12th Century. Guided tours and cream teas for groups by arrangement. Tel 01446 774610
Email:plasllanmihangel@ukonline.co.uk

St Donats Castle
Medieval castle with many fine original features. Once the home of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst whose guests included most of the glittering idols of Hollywood history, now home of Atlantic College the worlds first international 6th Form college. Nelson Mandela is the college president. Guided Tours are offered in August please phone in advance to check times. Tel 01446 792271  www.stdonats.com

Ogmore Castle
Riverside ruins of once important Medieval castle built at a strategic fording point. Ancient stepping stones across the river leading to the pretty thatched village of Merthyr Mawr. Tel 029 2082 6185   www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Candleston Castle
From Merthyr Mawr Village the road leads to Merthyr Mawr Warren (the largest sand dune in Europe) and the ruins of Candleston Castle, once a 15th C fortified Manor House stand at the edge of the dunes. Inhabited until the last century by the powerful de Cantelupe family. Tel 01656 661733 www.bridgend.gov.uk

Dunraven Castle
Explore the walled gardens of the ruined Dunraven Castle high above Southerdown Beach. www.bridgend.gov.uk

Further  afield are  

Llancaiach Fawr Manor
Visitors to the manor house step back in time to the year 1645. You will be greeted by the servants of the owner, Colonel Pritchard. Listen to the gossip of the day, a major topic will be the turmoil of the Civil War raging between the King and Parliament. Hear about traditional customs and talk about the everyday life of ordinary people over 350 years ago. Tel 01443 412248 
www.llancaiachfawr.co.uk

Tredegar House and Park
Set in 90 acres of award winning gardens and parkland, Tredegar House is one of the architectural wonders of Wales and was the ancestral home of the Morgan family for over 500 years. The stunning staterooms are adorned with fine paintings, carvings and elaborate ceilings illustrating the opulence of William Morgan, the builder of the house. Visitors today can discover what life was like for those who lived above and below stairs. Tel 01633 815880 www.newport.gov.uk go to popular pages and click on Tredegar House.

Coity Castle
2 Miles north east of Bridgend town centre . An important Norman power base, largely rebuilt in the 14th Century. Extensive ruins including gatehouse and curtain walls. Tel 029 2082 6185 www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

  
Newcastle
Remains of an early Norman castle surrounded by tiny cottages overlooking the river with terrific views over the town of Bridgend. Tel 029 2082 6185   www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Chepstow Castle, on its rock above the swirling waters of the River Wye, stands guard over a strategic crossing point into Wales. In a land of castles Chepstow can rightly claim special status. Started not long after the battle of Hastings(1066) by William Fitz Osbern, a companion of William the Conqueror, it was a landmark in more ways than one. Tel 01291 624065 www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Raglan Castle, set amongst green, rolling border country, marks the end of an auspicious line. Largely the creation of the more peaceful, later Middle Ages, it brings to a close the great castle- building episode in Welsh history. Raglan is more a statement of wealth and social aspiration ( a precursor to the country house) than an intimidating military presence. Tel 01291 690228  www.cadw.wales.gov.uk