Castles, cathedrals, churches … the wonder of them never ceases to amaze.
From the first ruins I climbed over, around, and through to the intact, elaborate apartments of Cardiff Castle, I’ve been intrigued. We don’t have 900 year old* buildings in the USA. For good information on the 600+ castles in Wales, click here.
Castles in South Wales
Cardiff Castle
One afternoon, Jackie and I roamed Cardiff Castle’s (featured photo) elaborate grounds. We enjoyed a guided tour of the Marquess of Bute’s apartment as it was in the 1860s. The docent was fantastic, making us laugh and educating us at the same time. The tour is worth the nominal fee, charged in addition to the Castle fee.
Don’t miss seeing the tunnels within the castle walls used as air-raid shelters during World War II. More than 1,800 people would duck inside the halls when the sirens sounded. There are wartime displays and recordings (bombs!) playing as you walk the long, dark corridors.
The gift shop is nicely done with fairly priced items. Also, go down one flight to see, and sneak a touch of, the Roman Wall uncovered in 1888.
- Corridor of WWII Bomb Shelter in Cardiff Castle
- Staying healthy in bomb shelter
- Cardiff Castle’s Roman Wall
- Elaborate bath in Cardiff Castle
Caerphilly Castle
Jackie, lucky devil, got to go inside the sprawling Caerphilly Castle that covers more than thirty acres. (Click here to read why I stayed with the luggage.) The largest castle in Britain after Windsor, it was built toward the end of the 13th century. Caerphilly is related to Cardiff Castle due to the first Marquess of Bute assuming maintenance of the castle in the 18th century. A statue of the Fourth Marquess stands ready at the Keep to support the leaning tower. From a distance, he looks like he’s carved of stone, but he’s wood. By the way, the Keep out-leans the Tower of Pisa. The entire structure is surrounded by water, making it the first moat we saw in action.
When in Caerphilly, don’t forget to seek out the local cheese—you’ll find yourself longing for it when you return home.
- Large Caerphilly Castle
- Castles, supported by Marquess of Bute
St David’s Cathedral
St David’s declares itself the smallest city in the UK and a unique location at the most western edge of Britain. Construction on the structure started in 1180 with services and concerts still taking place. This is the first cathedral I saw with a wooden ceiling.
The cathedral is free but for a nominal charge if you want to take photographs inside. Please consider the donation—it goes toward upkeep. There is a separate fee for the ruins of the Bishop’s Palace next door.
- St. David’s Cathedral, Wales
- What a ceiling!
Pembroke Castle
Pembroke Castle is huge with stunning views from the top of the seventy-five foot Keep. You can ramble through the maze-like passage ways connecting towers and rooms, playing Where’s Waldo with your sister. Exhibits and educational materials are scattered throughout the grounds. The life-sized exhibitions are well-done and evocative. There is a fee—but check the website before going and turn your trip into an event—they often hold concerts.
- A great deal of Pembroke Castle is intact
St Mary Church, Newport, Pembrokeshire
One of two St Mary Churches we visited was in Newport, a walk (or a hike?) from Fishguard. It’s a small church with open doors and stained glass that glows in the bright sunshine. There was a tombstone for David Griffiths and we wondered was he one of the relatives we read about it our Family Tree or another of the multitude of Griffiths in Wales? Hmmm.
The other St Mary’s Church is in Tenby, featured in an upcoming post.
- Newport’s St. Mary’s Church
Manorbier Castle
We hopped a bus to trek us to Manorbier Castle. Unlike the other castles we’d toured, Manorbier is privately owned by Lady Dunsany. There is a fee. Built in the twelfth century, this Norman castle contains many ruined areas. It’s setup for events such as weddings, which are held in the former Crypt. Not my cup of tea, but neither is getting married in a hot air balloon, so to each their own. A claim to fame is that Gerald of Wales was born here. We’d never heard of dear Gerald, but if you want to know about Medieval Wales, Gerald is the go-to guy.
We enjoyed walking the grounds and climbing both towers, but found the mannequins of the princess and the blokes in the dungeon a bit unsettling. We didn’t linger in either room.
One of the highpoints of visiting this castle is the view and walking to Manorbier beach. You can choose to do the “easy” ten-mile hike to Tenby on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path from here.
- Manorbier Castle with sea behind
There’s a lot to do in Wales—eating well, hiking, visiting with locals…but whatever you do, don’t skip the castles. You’ll be astounded.
*There are some notable exceptions to my statement including: The Taos Pueblo in New Mexico (still in use) and the Anasazi Ruins in Mesa Verde, Colorado.
**
Next: Tenby – a delightful combo of the Cinque Terre and Charleston.
There are many amazing castles in the UK. Thanks for all the wonderful pictures.
My husband and I met when we were hired as actors to perform in a theatrical tour and we ended the tour in Scotland. We performed during the day, and could only go sight seeing after hours. My husband and I (who weren’t dating) and two other friends went to a castle in Scotland that was closed. They all jumped the wall and broke into the castle. I refused to go. He always talks about how amazing it was and how I missed out.
I don’t think I could have jumped the wall either, Erica! I’d think guards with spears might come running at me. Love the story!
Wonderful photos RoseMary! I love castles, well, pretty much any old historic place. I’ve been through a few in Europe, and even in Japan. I’ve never seen anyone write about the castles and ancient fortresses in Japan, but they are amazing. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us RoseMary. One of the things I’m most looking forward to about being back on the mainland is being able to take road trips! 🙂
Oh boy, oh boy, Marquita! You will have road trips galore ahead of you.
I think the history of Japan would stun and amaze me to no end.
All these castles look like wonderful places to visit. Cardiff Castle was partly on my radar when we went to Wales last fall, but we never made it there. Looks lots of reasons for a another visit!
Donna, you got to go to St Fagan’s and we didn’t–so we balanced each other out! Highly recommend the Apartment Tour–it made it extra special–and only L3 a ticket!
Wonderful wonderful photos, Rose. I’ve heard such great things about Cardiff, and your post certainly makes me want to go there. Thx for sharing!
Cardiff was great to visit. It’s friendly, easy to get around and has a great bay area. And, of course, the castle!
My kind of post. I often wanted to go and see castles, since my interest is in medieval history. Many of the castles in Europe, however, were built in the 1800’s. Rich barons and lords wanted to recreate the medieval period through their architecture. The originals have long since disappeared over time. I did like this post and the pictures your provided, thanks for sharing.
Wales is the place to go to see castles, William. There are hundreds of castles of all types throughout the country. It’s amazing. My other go-to place is Germany. I’ve stood in the castle where Richard the Lionhearted was held captive. What a historical rush–to stand on stones he walked on!
Rose Mary — thanks for the great castle tour. Quite a few years ago, I worked on the Welsh Development account at my PR agency. That government agency was responsible for attracting companies to open facilities in Wales and I once spent a week there. My mistaken impression had always been Wales=coal mines. I was pleasantly surprised that it’s a vibrant country with a well respected performing arts center that holds the world renowned BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition for opera singers every year.
Wales is a big surprise, Jeannette. I don’t know what we expected on our first trip, but we spent a lot of time being stunned by it all. This time we were in Cardiff for a couple of days and even the city was great. We had a little adventure outside the Welsh National Opera…but that’s another tale. Glad you got to enjoy it for a week!
These pictures are absolutely stunning. I have Wales on my bucket but I’ve never really known what to see. Thanks for your insight!
Glad you enjoyed the pictures, Bola! I look forward to hearing about your adventures when you get to Wales.
I’ve not toured nearly as many castles of you, but each always holds its own unique story and look. My favorite so far has been Burg Eltz in Germany.
I just added Burg Eltz to my must-see list, Jeri. I’ve been to Koblenz and the Moselle River, but missed this castle! It looks stupendous.
I will always have an affinity for the Heidelberg Castle since it was the first in-use castle I saw and toured inside/out. So great to learn these stories.
Wow, what beautiful pictures. South Wales looks lovely. I would love to see St. David’s Cathedral. The wood ceiling looks so intricate. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for enjoying the pics, Sabrina. St David’s was very striking and is in a beautiful setting. I’d go back!
There is so much history behind these buildings. I often imagine what it must have been like living all those years ago.
Wales is on my “go to” list. Embarrassing that I have never visited – it is only five to six hours away from home!
I have enjoyed reading your experience of Wales.
You’ll get there, Phoenicia. Hopefully I have enticed you to see some of Wales–especially Pembrokeshire.
I agree on the history and visualizing, feeling, how it would have been to live in a castle. I’ve been watching “Wolf Hall” and the elegance of some of the buildings used for that is just stunning.
Hi Rose, the castle pictures are amazing. What fascinating places to visit. I particularly like the one with the moat. Cool!
Susan, I’m pretty sure that with all the castles I’ve seen, Caerphilly is the first that actually had water in the moat! I so wanted to raise the drawbridge. ha!
Super cool!!!
One of these days, you and L are going to see castles, too!
I am so thankful to have all the pictures to remind us of the memories!!
Couldn’t agree more!
I love looking at the pictures. So glad we have those to remind us of the memories. Caerphilly Castle….it is astounding. I love it!
Coming around the bend and seeing Caerphilly laid out before us was such a surprise! Huge, sprawling, the wall, the glistening moat. Wow.
How awesome! Looks like a great time was had by all. BTW, what did you mean that “St David’s Cathedral is the smallest city in the UK”… did you mean cathedral? Or is it really a city? Inquiring minds want to know!!!
I clarified my wording, Joy. St David’s is the smallest city and one well-worth visiting.
I really enjoyed your blog and pictures!
Even with the creepy princess. 🙂
Thanks!
Thanks for the guided castle tour Rose!
Glad you liked it!
When I see old buildings like the castles in your photos, I wonder to myself if there is anything that we are building today that will last for centuries like these castles. I kind of doubt it. Cardiff Castle in particular looks breathtaking.
You are so right, Ken. I think that, too, with all the new, ugly construction going on around Pittsburgh. (PS. We figured out which part of town George Ferris’ house is in, but haven’t done a drive by. Hey–it’s still standing.) For instance, the near 50-room Mellon Mansion: Gone. All that history obliterated.
Who could ever tire of touring castles? But I’ve never been to these, so I appreciate the tour and the lovely photos. That tombstone is wonderful… they always amaze me too!
We never get tired of the castles! Glad that you enjoyed the tour, Jacquie.