All Wales Area Accommodation

High on a headland - Aberystwyth Castle Ruins

Kidwelly Castle, South Carmarthenshire Coast

Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire. Birthplace of Henry VII

Cardiff Castle - Gothic Magic!

Beaumaris Castle, Anglesey

Raglan Castle, Near Monmouth

Welsh Castles: Caernarfon Pembroke Harlech Beaumaris Wales

Think of one iconic feature of Wales, and it would probably be castles. A symbol of the strength of Welsh rebellion, or ruthless English imperialism - whichever way you read it (both are accurate), you're likely to bump into a Welsh Castle wherever you're located in Wales.

To the North of Wales, Edward I set about building his strategic northern ring of castles, including some of Wales' most striking castles such as Beaumaris, Carernarfon, Harlech, Flint Castle and Conwy Castle. Not all Welsh castles are signifiers of English dominance - there's a fair scattering of Welsh counter attack castles, some of which mimic the English style.

North Wales Coast & North Wales Castles

Glorious Beaumaris Castle on the southern shores of Anglesey looking onto the Menai Straits was the last of the mammoth castles built by Edward I in his North Wales ring of castles. Beaumaris is mighty example of medieval military architecture dating from 1295 when work commenced. A world heritage UNESCO site, Caernarfon Castle is one of Wales' most magnificent castles, if not the most spectacular. A Norman castle dating from the 11th century existed on this site prior to the Medieval Fortress you see today. Edward I certainly meant this castle and Caernarfon itself as a North Wales powerhouse - his son was born here in 1284. Medieval fortresses don't come more gargantuan than Caernarfon Castle, built as a purpose built English administrative centre rather than primarily defensive as with Beaumaris and Harlech castles (also part of Edward I's ring of North Wales Castles).

Flintshire is a Welsh county bordering the Dee Estuary of great interest, particularly for historic sites - there's a few Welsh Castles in these parts. Flint Castle (what remains of it now after Civil War onslaught) faces onto the Dee Estuary and was built by Edward 1. Work commenced on it in 1277, and 7 years later Flintshire was established as a county. Part of a network of castles built across North Wales to keep the Welsh down after the strong uprisings led by Llwelyn ab Iorwerth, the Great and Llwyelyn ap Gruffydd, the Last. Flint was a strategic site chosen by Edward I - supplies could come in here by both sea and land.

Spectacular Conwy Castle also forms part of the iron ring of fortresses built by Edward I. Largely intact (although it deteriorated after the Civil War), Conwy is very much how you'd envisage a castle - with numerous towers and turrets. There was no need to build elaborate defensive walls as the castle sits up high on the rocks. The views from the battlements are breathtaking as you can imagine - Snowdonia and the coast. The town of Conwy is walled though, and these walls are best viewed from the castle looking down.

The impressive ruins and elevated position of Denbigh Castle in Denbighshire is another of Edward's creations, although a Welsh fortress stood here before Edward got ideas. Denbigh castle was constructed in bits from around 1295 well into the 1400s.

Mid Wales Castles

Aberystwyth Castle dates from 1277, and was finally completed in 1289. Another in the long line of Edward I castles, after his defeat of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the Welsh didn't give up on recapturing it back and there were two Welsh uprisings. See it's spectacular ruins on the headland separating Aberystwyth's two beaches.

Striking Powis Castle dates from 1200, but you wouldn't think it to look at it - much remodelling has been done on this castle over the years.

The stunning gardens around Powis Castle are a particular feature pulling visitors in. They're world famous, with herbaceous borders galore, influenced by both French and Italian styles. Within the gardens are original lead statues, an orangery, an aviary on the terraces plus the 18th century added informal woodland wilderness.

South Wales Castles

Today Cardiff Castle is distinct for it's 19th century Gothic Revival architecture, the work of renowned architect and designer William Burges (1827-1881) who was commissioned by the Third marquis of Bute in 1865. What influenced Burges - Medieval art and architecture, a touch of the William Morris (he was influenced by Morris, but in personality Burges as decidedly apolitical compared to Morris), gothic revivalism, obsessive attention to detail and fond of a joke or two (eclectic and eccentric are the two key words often used to describe Burges' style.

Swansea castle, strategically placed in the heart of Swansea (on Castle Street), looks a little neglected - it's a bit of a ruin Cromwell knocked about a bit, in 1647. A small part of it remains however, and it's well worth a look. Dating from the late 13th/early 14th century, Swansea Castle has been hammered by attacks through the centuries, but had a brief revival in the early 19th century when it was used as a prison.

The remains of Abergavenny Castle you can see today are not the original castle - this was destroyed totally in 1233 by Richard Marshall, the Earl of Pembroke. Abergavenny Castle's gatehouse, in the Barbican style, is thought to have been added in the 15th century. Looking at the remains you can see that Abergavenny Castle would have been a pretty impressive if it's heyday, indeed it played host to kings and was strategically positioned just above the River Usk to ward off Welsh invasion into the lowland.

Another striking Welsh castle at the southern edge of the Wye Valley is Chepstow Castle. Also strategically placed, it's a sprawling grey stone castle perched on the river edge dates from the Norman period. Castle exhibits are excellent here . Chepstow Castle is one of the most dramatic castles in Wales, it sits right on the edge of the Severn! Building work began on it in 1069, and it's imposing style hints at the Norman intent to emphasise their conquest and to keep the Welsh under control. Nearby in the Monmouthshire area is another imposing castle - Raglan, and checkout the ruins on Monmouth Castle in Monmouth centre and on the Gower Oxwich castle is more tudor mansion than castle.

Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire Castles, South West Wales

Haverfordwest Castle is a 12th century castle which is centrally placed in the town. The museum sits adjacent. A considerable amount remains of the castle, despite Cromwell having a go - his orders for destruction of Haverfordwest Castle are on display in the museum. Carew Castle near Tenby is another striking Welsh Castle, situated as it is alongside a millpond and dating from the Norman period. Later in life it became an Elizabethan country house, but it was heavily pounded during the Civil War.

Also near Tenby, Manorbier Castle is situated right on the coast just above Manorbier beach. Checkout too the remains of Tenby Castle situated on a headland looking out onto little St Catherine's Island, and also Narbeth Castle.

Pembrokeshire's most famous castle is Pembroke Castle. The largely intact Pembroke Castle sits on the banks of the river estuary. This is a particularly popular Welsh Castle as it's notable as being the birthplace of Henry VII. A medieval marvel indeed, Pembroke Castle is a superb day out for all the family, exploring the many tunnels and rooms. Exhibits and a gift shop are on-site. Pretty Picton Castle near Haverfordwest, has delightful surrounding woodland gardens, and dates from the 13th century and has been in the hands of the Philips family over the years. Today as well as visiting, you can get married or hold your conference here!

Two particularly stunning castles in Carmarthenshire are Kidwelly and Carreg Cennen Castles. The ruins of both these castles are particularly intact. At Kidwelly, a Norman stronghold, the River Gwendraeth runs adjacent and you can wander up staircases and around the walls, and explore the remains of the chapel. Take a walk around Kidwelly Castle too on the castle trail.

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