Enjoy unlimited access to any one of Cadw’s monuments, including Caerphilly Castle, starting from £10.90 per person with a Cadw Monument Pass.
Unearthing a sleeping giant
Dominating an impressive 30 acre site, Caerphilly Castle is Wales’ largest and Britain’s second largest castle behind Windsor. With towers to explore, a dragon’s den and the grandness of The Great Hall to discover; Caerphilly Castle offers the perfect playground for budding historians.
This medieval fortress was built mainly between 1268 and 1271 by Gilbert de Clare. Known as Gilbert ‘The Red’ because of his red hair, denoting his Norman heritage, he built the castle to take control of Glamorgan and to prevent the Welsh Prince Llewellyn ap Gruffudd from achieving his southward ambitions.
The design of the castle is based on a concentric ring of walls, something not seen in Britain before. It also has an extensive ring of water defences and huge gatehouses. This mammoth stronghold remains a striking testament to the Anglo-Norman domination of the area.
Pisa’s got nothing on us…
Though the focus of many Welsh attacks, Caerphilly Castle has remained a formidable fortress and perhaps one of the greatest strongholds of all-time. Even the efforts of Oliver Cromwell’s roundheads failed to break the Castle’s boundaries, though they did leave a rather remarkable scar – the famous leaning tower, which has leaned 3m out of the perpendicular since 1648.
Like the famous cheese, the castle has long been synonymous with Caerphilly. It dominates. Hogs the limelight. Think slumbering giant awaiting a call to arms. It’s also a great backdrop for TV and film.
Parking and Travel
Parking
Nearby public car parks, including disabled bays, can be found at the following locations:
- The Twyn car park, CF83 1JL (pay-and-display)
- Station Terrace car park, CF83 1JU (pay-and-display)
- Caerphilly Park-and-Ride, CF83 1JU (free)
- Crescent Road car park, CF83 1AB (pay-and-display)
- Morrisons / Castle Court Shopping Centre, CF83 1XP (free, maximum stay 3 hours)
You can use Parkopedia* to find more information on car parks in the area, including prices.
Please check signage at each car park for full terms and conditions.
Bike Racks
There are several bike racks located within Caerphilly town centre. Bike racks can be found throughout Cardiff Road and outside Morrisons.
Public Transport
Caerphilly Transport Interchange is located nearby to Caerphilly Castle, with trains to and from Bargoed and Cardiff approximately every 10-20 minutes and trains to and from Rhymney approximately every 30 minutes.
Caerphilly bus station also provides direct links to Cardiff and other routes throughout the borough. Please visit the Transport for Wales* and Traveline Cymru* websites for more information on train and bus timetables.
*Visit Caerphilly is unaffiliated with this organisation.
