Spring at Cardiff Castle, Wales
It’s rare that you can wander to a castle from a city centre high street. But Cardiff’s wonderful fortress and grounds are right in the heart of the city, perfect for a quick visit during my trip to the Welsh capital.
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I’m something of a history geek, so I never turn down the chance to wander around a castle. The fact that the sun had come out, the sky was blue, and I was enjoying a rare child-free weekend so could take endless photos, was the icing on the cake.
And while I only had 90 minutes to spare in Cardiff Castle before dashing off to my high-speed sea safari around the bay, a visit to the castle was perfect to get a taste of this entirely unusual spot.
With my audio guide in hand, I wandered through the grounds drinking in the views, stopping only to listen to occasional snippets of information.
The Romans started it all, as is often the way. With a fort built as part of Emperor Claudius’ conquest of Britain in 43AD, standing until they finally left in 400AD, this part of the castle’s history passed out of memory until excavations revealed sections of walls and gate many centuries later. Rebuilt, you can still see some of the original stones.
The Normans came next. After the conquest, a new castle was built here to subdue the Welsh (with similar difficulty to the Romans).
Originally a wooden structure, William the Conqueror’s eldest son Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy, was held prisoner here by his younger brother Henry I until his death. As he was in his 80s at this point, it does suggest he wasn’t chained in a dank dungeon though.
Today you can climb up almost to the top of the ‘shell’ keep, an open structure which would once have had more buildings inside or different floors for its inhabitants – holes in the walls for beams and alcoves for fireplaces tell the tale.
But it’s the Bute family we need to thank. After making their money from coal, becoming the richest family in Victorian Britain, they created this for themselves as a medieval fantasy home. And inside is simply stunning.
With no time to take a tour of the house or castle apartments, I would have loved to learn more about this beautiful recreation. Every surface seems adorned, painted, gilded, decorated until you feel almost overwhelmed with the detail.
In fact, I could have spent all day here if I’d had the time: discovering the wartime tunnels in the walls, looking at the museum of the Welsh soldier.
If Minnie had joined me, there was even dressing up inside near the audio guide pick-up point as well as some very fun details on the information boards. Not to mention some unexpected sights in the grounds.
And one last treat, as I finally dragged myself away. As well as the beautiful clock tower, an array of animals lounging and playing on the walls outside. Cardiff castle, I will be back.
For more great family days out, check out my pick of the best UK castles with kids
Need to know: Cardiff Castle in Spring
Tickets cost from £15.50 for adults, from £10.50 for children over five, with family tickets from £42.50. Under-fives are free.
The house tour costs an extra £4.50/£3.50 and lasts 50 minutes. If you live or work in Cardiff, you can apply for a Castle Key giving free admission for three years.
The castle is open seven days a week from 9am/10am to 6pm, although last entry to various spots is earlier with reduced hours in winter. Check out the full details here.
Audio guides are free to borrow (subject to availability). There is a separate children’s audio guide available, and you can buy Family Trail and Animal Trail booklets at the Ticket Office or Gift shop.
Disclosure: My entry to Cardiff Castle was courtesy of Traverse Events, Cardiff Castle and Visit Wales. All opinions and enthusiastic photo taking is my own. This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission
Images and video copyright MummyTravels
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so beautiful! The interior is just fab! is that a cat riding a dragon?:)
I think so! 🙂
Beautiful!! Loved your post! 🙂
Thanks!
Aww.. I love Spring! Look at the flowers at the foot of the castle! Your photos are gorgeous. #CityTripping
Thank you! The flowers were just lovely in the sun.
What a surprise the interior is! Who’d have thought?! It’s so unusual and with so much detail to take in I’m sure I could spend hours in there. I had no idea there was so much to Cardiff castle, thanks for showing us around.
It’s incredible – so much work gone into it. And my pleasure 🙂
A castle in the middle of the city? Well that’s fabulously convenient! I’m also a history buff but I prefer a tour guide over an audio guide most of the time in places like these. Specially if the tour guide is good, they normally give their own personal anecdotes. The interior is amazing! I’m always fascinated by old places and things. :p
I agree – it would have been great to do the tour if I’d had time. It was a good audio tour though.
We have almost reached ‘peak castle’ which means my family will start a rebellion if I take them to any more but I think their arms could be twisted with this one. Love that fireplace in the dining hall!
Ha yes my brother got to that stage when we visited north Wales as kids. This one is something special though.
What a fantastic building…and even better that it is so close to the city centre. I can’t believe parts of it are Roman too! The interior is something else. Amazing… they really MUST have been the richest people around to create such opulence. #citytripping
Definitely – must be quite an experience being rich enough to create your own medieval style castle in your own battlements etc!
Oh I’d love to see this castle again as an adult! I saw it as a kid and can hardly remember it! Lovely pictures!! #CityTripping
Thanks – definitely worth a second trip!
My family would love to visit this castle. We don’t visit Cardiff very often which is positively shameful as my husband grew up not far away. We’ll definitely have to plan a trip in the near future – you’ve really inspired me. Gorgeous photos too. #citytripping
That’s great to hear! And I think it’s often the places on the doorstep that get explored last. Thanks 🙂
Beautiful photos and great video too! Cardiff Castle looks amazing, the details of the interior is fantastic and so fascinating to see. #CityTripping
OMG! I was impressed just looking at the outside of the castle, but the inside literally made my jaw drop to the ground! the ceiling and the book shelves are my favorite!
The ceiling was just astonishing! I couldn’t capture all of it in the photo – just so much amazing detail.
You picked an amazing day to visit! What a wonderful and grand looking castle! It looks amazing inside and out. I’d love to visit Cardiff Castle! #CityTripping x
It was perfect – such blue skies and hardly anyone to share it with 🙂
This castle looks amazing, I have read a lot of posts from all you ladies who attended the blogging conference. It’s official I want to go Cardiff. Been to north wales twice but never south
I can imagine! I had such a great weekend – we went to north Wales quite a bit as kids but I don’t know the south much either.
Ah those Romans, always starting things!
The interior really is stunning. I think this is a castle I would have no trouble dragging the kids round. The tour is good too, with lots of tidbits about the building and the owners.
I do wish I could have fitted the tour in too – next time perhaps. (And those Romans… what did they ever do for us?!)
Love your pictures, what a beautiful place. The interior pics really make me want to go and have a proper look around myself! Stunning! 🙂
Thanks! I hope you get to visit one day.
Wow your photos turned out fabulous Cathy:) I’m glad you were still able to concentrate on taking in all the history whilst also patiently answering all of my questions about blogging!
Thanks! And for putting up with me snapping away while we talked 🙂
Gorgeous photos. So much interesting history attached to the castle. I’ve only ever seen it in the distance and not gone. Next time I’m back in Cardiff though… thanks for hosting #citytripping
Thanks! It really is a fascinating building – worth popping in next time if you can.
I am really amazed by these photos. You made me plan a trip to this castle soon. I think my kids and my husband will love this place.
Thanks! It’s such a stunning place – so much to discover too.
You definitely liked the castle more than I did 🙂 I thought it was just ok.
That does surprise me – I haven’t come across many with such intricate decoration.