Castle Capital of the World

When you’re based in one of our holiday cottages in Mumbles, Swansea’s Marina, or the Gower peninsula, you’re ideally located to see and discover all the stories our south Wales castles have to tell the whole family.

Start local and go large. Here are 10 to get you going. For more than a 100 castles made available to you on a digitally interactive Google Map, please visit www.historic-uk.com/HistoryMagazine/DestinationsUK/CastlesinWales

Start local – Gower and Mumbles

1. Weobley Castle – 14th century fortified manor house. Dramatic location overlooking Llanrhidian salt marshes and Loughor Estuary. Buy world-famous Gower salt marsh lamb from the farmer based at the castle. SA3 1HB
2. Oxwich Castle – Grade 1 listed castle towering splendidly on wooded headland overlooking Oxwich Bay. Small and off the beaten track. Ruins are an ideal place to play hide-and-seek with kids. SA3 1ND
3. Penrice Castle – Gower’s largest castle built in 13th century. Ivy-clad ruins featuring unusual irregular hexagons and round keeps. Glorious setting on private land of the Penrice Estate but with public footpaths for ideal viewing. SA3 1LN
4. Pennard Castle – Atmospheric ruins of 12th century Norman castle in magical location overlooking Three Cliffs Bay and Oxwich Point. Tie a visit in with golf, a heathland and cliff-top walk, or a picnic. SA3 2BT
5. Oystermouth Castle – One of Wales’ finest castles sitting majestically on a hill in the middle of the village of Mumbles with views across Swansea Bay. Explore 14th century graffiti, secret staircases and a glass bridge. Exciting events’ programme. Dog-friendly. SA3 4BA

    

   

6. Carreg Cennen Castle – Haunting location. CADW managed castle on a spectacular limestone precipice in the village of Trap, Carmarthenshire and within the Brecon Beacons National Park. Take in the views of the surrounding valleys or shop in the nearby market town of Llandeilo, just 4 miles away. SA19 6UA
7. Cardiff Castle – Beautiful and ornate ‘pleasure palace’ built by Victorian architect William Burges at the heart of Wales’ capital city. CF10 3RB
8. Castell Coch – Red Castle in English. Fabled fairy-tale castle built as a home and a rural retreat from Cardiff Castle by William Burges for the Marquis of Bute. A mix of Victorian imagination, all things Gothic, and untold wealth. Near Cardiff. CF15 7JQ
9. Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths – Fortifications from the 1st century AD in beautiful Caerleon, close to Newport. Provides visitors with a vivid picture of life at that time. NP18 1AE
10. Llancaiach Fawr – A must-visit renovated and semi-fortified Tudor Manor House near Nelson and Caerphilly. Great re-creation and in-character servant guides tell the story of the house as it was in 1645. Restaurant and much-talked about Sunday carvery. Fascinating family day out. CF46 6ER