32 BEST Castles in Wales to Visit [With Map]

Boasting a wealth of magnificent castles, Wales proudly holds the title of the castle capital of the world, with more castles per square mile than any other country.

Most of the castles date back to the Middle Ages when there was fierce fighting between the Welsh Princes and the Marcher Lords who served the King of England. They have since served as family homes, administrative centres, and even jails.

Today, you can visit many of them which are under the care of CADW (the Welsh government's historic agency), the National Trust, or local councils.

As a Welshman, I've visited most of the castles in Wales, so narrowing them down to just a few favourites has been a challenge.

But I've racked my brain and curated this ultimate list of Welsh castles, split into three categories; best (must-visit), great (worth your time), and good (visit if you're nearby).

Map of Welsh Castles

Here's an interactive map of the best castles in Wales. Use the filter to show my must-visit castles.

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Best Castles in Wales

1. Powis Castle

We begin in Mid-Wales with Powis Castle, one of the few castles that are still lived in today. Whilst the family live in their quarters, an agreement with the National Trust has seen most of the castle opened to the public.

This includes the vast and stunning gardens that have been described as the best Baroque gardens in Britain (source: CADW). They feature an Italianate terrace, flower gardens with rare and sub-tropical plants, and a fine collection of yew hedges.

You can also explore the castle itself which is elegantly decorated with paintings, sculptures and furniture. Onsite is the Clive Museum which contains objects from India and the Far East collected under the tenure of the Clive family.

The castle was constructed in the 13th century by the Welsh Prince, Gruffudd ap Gwenwynwyn. However, it later became a grand stately home and passed through many noble families.

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2. Beaumaris Castle

Beaumaris Castle is the first of four castles in Wales that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd.

Constructed after Conwy, Caernarfon and Harlech, Edward I and his architect James of St George had learned much about the construction of the fortress and this blank canvas provided them with the perfect opportunity to put what they had learned into practice.

The result was a massive fortress with four concentric rings surrounding it as well as a water moat and its own dock.

Beaumaris Castle has the nickname ‘the greatest castle never built’ because it was never actually finished. Due to a lack of funds and more pressing issues for Edward I in Scotland, building work ceased in the 1320s.

Today, the castle is managed by CADW as a paid visitor attraction. You can’t see much of the castle from the outside so you’ll need to buy a ticket to fully appreciate it.

Inside, you can wander the passages, hang out in the inner keep, walk along the walls, and climb the gatehouse tower for views across Anglesey and Snowdonia. I recommend taking a picnic as the inner ward is a great place to enjoy it on a sunny day.

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3. Pembroke Castle

Dominating the market town of Pembroke in West Wales is Pembroke Castle.

It's history begins around 1093 when Arnulf de Montgomery built a small earth and wood castle on a strategic rocky promontory overlooking Pembroke River.

But most of what you can see today was built later. In the 12th century, the castle was acquired by William Marshall, a man dubbed the ‘Greatest Knight’ and somewhat of a local treasure (there’s a statue of him in the centre of town!). He built the first stone castle here, including the grand cylindrical keep which is still there today.

It's a unique castle in Wales as it is the only one to be built over a natural cave (called the Wogan Cave) where food and other goods would have been stored.

The castle has earned an important place in history as the birthplace of Henry Tudor who would go on to become King Henry VII, founder of the Tudor dynasty and the only Welshman to ever take the English throne.

Today, Pembroke Castle is in the hands of the Pembroke Castle Trust and makes a great family-friendly day out. There are enough things to do that you can spend at least half a day here. – I spent 3 hours looking around.

You can explore the extensive museum, climb the great keep or descent down to the underground cave, wander the castle walls, and even enjoy a meal from the restaurant.

During the summer, the castle offers a range of events for the family including a Black Mountains Falconry show with falcons, owls, buzzards and hawks. There is also the Merrymakers Knight School where you can experience the training a real knight may have been put through.

You can also take a rowing boat around the lake below the castle with Paddle West. You don’t need to enter the castle for this activity.

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4. Caerphilly Castle

Caerphilly Castle is the biggest castle in Wales. With 30 acres of defences, it's the second largest in Britain, beaten only by Windsor Castle. In fact, it's three times the size of the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

The castle was defended by 30 acres worth of water defences as well as its massive walls, towers and gatehouse.

The medieval fortress was constructed in 1268 by Marcher lord Gilbert de Clare to counter the rise of the powerful Prince of Wales. It was the first castle to use a concentric design in Wales and inspired many of King Edward I's castles in North Wales.

Caerphilly Castle is famous for its leaning tower which leans at a greater angle than the famous tower in Pisa. This is due to ground subsidence, and not due to battle damages as the locals may claim.

I loved exploring the ruins of Caerphilly Castle and spent over an hour inside. As a Welsh history buff, I thought it was worth the entrance fee.

However, it's one of the more expensive castles to visit if you're not a CADW member. If you only have a mild interest in history and castles, there's a beautiful path around the outside of the castle which allows you to appreciate its significance and grandeur without forking out for the whole family.

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5. Caernarfon Castle

Another of Edward I’s castles that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site is Caernarfon Castle.

The fortress dominates the market town of Caernarfon in North Wales where it sits on the bank of the River Seiont as it enters the Menai Strait.

This strategic location allowed it to protect the southwest entrance of the Menai Strait, the stretch of water between mainland Wales and its largest island, Anglesey. Meanwhile, Beaumaris protects the northeast entrance.

The castle and Caernarfon's town walls were built together, a huge project that took 47 years to finish and cost £25,000 (source: CADW) (approximately £23 million in today's money).

The castle was built on the site of a former motte and bailey castle that stood here. This means that the ground level of the interior is raised.

This is why one of the old entrances, Queens Gate, appears to be halfway up the castle wall. It would have had a stone ramp to reach it when it was in use but is now a balcony where you can look over Y Maes, the main town square.

The castle is managed by CADW and is open to the public. It's one of the more expensive castles to visit but it's worth it as there's lots to do inside. You can easily spend a few hours here.

You can climb the towers, wander along the castle walls, and see the spot where Prince Charles, now King Charles III, was invested as Prince of Wales.

There are also two museums inside. The first is the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum, one of my favourite museums in Wales, which tells the 300-year history of the oldest infantry regiment in Wales.

The second is a museum about the Prince of Wales where the investiture chairs are on display. This was a slightly controversial role given that it has never been held by a Welshman.

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6. Conwy Castle

Conwy Castle was built in the 13th century by Edward I and his architect James of St George in just four years as a replacement for Deganwy Castle just across the estuary. The fortress itself is well-preserved and contains the most intact medieval royal apartments in Wales.

The original castle was white and, if you look closely, some of the remains of the original render can still be seen on the walls today.

The castle has a figure of 8 layout with the front half acting as the outer keep and the rear half which sits against the river, acting as the inner keep.

The curtain wall has eight towers which allow you to walk up to the highest point in the town centre where you'll be rewarded with incredible views across the estuary.

The CADW-managed castle is open to the public where you can explore the ruins for yourself. The castle does not have its own car park so I recommend parking at Vicarage Pay and Display car park next to it. From this car park, you can also head up to walk along Conwy's town walls which are free and very well preserved.

Conwy Castle and town walls, along with the castles at Harlech, Caernarfon, and Beaumaris are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site (source: UNESCO).

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7. Cardiff Castle

Perhaps the most famous of the castles in South Wales, Cardiff Castle sits right at the heart of the Welsh capital alongside the River Taff. In fact, the city is named after the castle with Caer-Taff meaning 'Fort on the Taff'.

The original motte and bailey castle was built by the Normans in the 11th century, although a fort has existed on this site for over 2,000 years.

It's purpose was to subdue the Welsh and protect against uprisings, although later became a family home with occupants living in the Georgian mansion found within the walls.

Its most notable inhabitants were the Bute family who were one of the most influential and powerful families in Cardiff. Under the 3rd Marquess of Bute, the castle interior was transformed with lavish designs and intricate decoration which you can still see today.

The castle is now under the care of Cardiff County Council. Many people do not realise but you can go inside the castle courtyard for free where you can see the remains of the original Norman keep and a cafe.

However, to go inside the keep and explore the castle mansion, you'll still need to buy a ticket. There is an app that gives information as you explore the castle. However, I would highly recommend that you take a guided tour of the house which is just £4 extra and well worth the cost.

Your ticket will also give you access to the tunnels in the castle walls which were used as air raid shelters during WW2 and to the Firing Line Museum which has exhibits related to Welsh soldiers and their roles in important battles such as Waterloo,

Keep in mind that there is no parking at the castle because of the city centre location and car parks around here can be expensive. I recommend using public transport when visiting.

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8. Harlech Castle

Another of Edward I’s spectacular castles in Wales is Harlech Castle which stands on a rocky outcrop with views across Harlech Beach and Cardigan Bay.

This castle took seven years to build between 1282 and 1289. It has a traditional concentric design which means that it has an outer wall and an inner wall. This added an extra layer of protection and, combined with its location, is why it gained a reputation as an almost impregnable fortress

When the castle was built, the sea came much closer to the base of the castle than it is now. There would have been a water gate which allowed supplies to be brought in from the sea and up the 108 steps which climbed the steep rock face.

The water gate came in useful as the castle fell under siege several times, most famously during the Wars of the Roses when it endured a seven-year siege, considered the longest in British history. The famous Welsh song, ‘Men of Harlech’, was composed during this siege.

Today, Harlech Castle is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is managed by CADW. There's a small visitor centre at the entrance where you can learn about the castle or grab some refreshments at the cafe that overlooks the ruins.

From here, you can cross the new footbridge to explore the castle itself.

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9. Carew Castle

Carew Castle is perched on the edge of the 23-acre millpond in the small village of Carew, West Wales.

The fortress was built by Gerald de Windsor who made himself constable of the castle on behalf of Henry I. But archaeologists have discovered evidence of an Iron Age settlement that existed here before the castle.

Carew would have originally been built out of earth and wood and then later replaced with stone. What we see today is largely the work of Sir Nicholas de Carew who built the east and west ranges in the 14th century.

During the Civil War, the castle changed hands several times between royalists and parliamentarians, with much of it being slighted. The castle lay in ruins for several centuries until it was leased by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority in the 20th century and restoration was undertaken.

Today, the castle is a great family attraction with an outdoor play area, dressing-up rooms, and a fun meadow walk around the castle with challenges to become a knight.

They also host family-friendly seasonal events including Halloween ghost tours, Christmas illuminations, and open air theatres. Check their Facebook page to find out more.

Included with your castle ticket entrance is entry to the Carew Tidal Mill, the only restored tidal mill in Wales which also sits alongside the millpond. Floodgates retain water during high tide and as the tide recedes, the water rushes through sluices beneath the mill, powering two massive water wheels.

The mill is no longer operation, but you can go inside and see the machinery. This includes massive wooden gears, iron shafts, and grinding stones, largely preserved from its 19th-century heyday.

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10. Castell Coch

Castell Coch or the ‘Red Castle’ sits within Fforest Fawr near Cardiff and can easily be visited on a day trip from Cardiff.

There has been a castle on this site as early as the 11th century when it was built to protect Cardiff and the route along the Taff Gorge. However, it was in a state of disrepair for many centuries until it fell into the hands of the 3rd Marquess of Bute (who also owned Cardiff Castle as mentioned above).

With the help of his architect, William Burges, the interior of the castle was decorated with extravagant furnishings and beautiful decorations. If you visit Cardiff Castle and Castell Coch, you'll see the similarities between them.

When visiting Castell Coch, I also recommend that you allow time to explore Fforest Fawr. There are several great walking trails through the forest, some of which start near the castle. The castle is a paid attraction managed by CADW (the Welsh heritage agency) but you can walk around the grounds for free.

If you want to tick off all of the top castles in South Wales in one day, this is possible with the Castles, Mountains, and More guided tour from Cardiff which stops at Castell Coch, Cardiff Castle, and Caerphilly Castle.

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Great Castles in Wales

11. Laugharne Castle

Laugharne Castle is a medieval fortress built around 1116, overlooking the scenic Taf Estuary.

It was involved in many English-Welsh conflicts and rebuilt several times until it was destroyed beyond repair in the 17th century English Civil War.

After years of neglect and ruin, a Georgian mansion was built on the castle grounds, known as Castle House. One of the most famous tenants of Castle House was the author Richard Hughes.

He was friends with Dylan Thomas who lived nearby and the two of them worked in the summerhouse. It is said that Thomas wrote 'Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog' while staying at Laugharne Castle.

Today, the castle is owned by CADW and open to the public. Being quite small, it’s one of the cheaper castles in West Wales to visit and is well worth your time.

You can explore the well-preserved ruins, climb to the top of the ancient towers for breathtaking panoramic views and wander among the castle gardens where you’ll find the summerhouse.

In one of the towers, there’s an information panel which tells the story of the castle’s history from its beginnings as a Norman stronghold to its revival by the three Guys (literally three men called Guy).

The castle isn't particularly big so I only spent around 40 minutes exploring it. However, you can combine it with several other activities in Laugharne to make a full day out.

12. Kidwelly Castle

My favourite castle in Carmarthenshire is Kidwelly Castle, a Norman stronghold that sits above the River Gwendraeth.

It was built by the Normans around 1106 as a way of subduing the Welsh. The castle has a unique design which is semi-circular when viewed from above.

Its defences were originally made up of just an earthen bank and ditch so it was under constant attack from the Welsh Princes and was captured in 1159 by The Lord Rhys.

By the 1280s the Norman Chaworth brothers who were powerful English lords, created the concentric ‘castle within a castle’ design we see today. At this point, the castle defences were made up of a drawbridge and portcullis, arrowslits in the outer wall and four towers on the inner wall.

It was therefore almost impossible to conquer without extreme bloodshed, even Owain Glyndwr could not break through.

By the 19th century, Kidwelly Castle fell into a state of disrepair and became a picturesque ruin. It may be particularly recognisable as it features in the very first scene of ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail.’

The castle is managed by CADW and open to the public. It might look small on the outside, but it's quite substantial and took me around 45 minutes to fully explore. There’s not a lot of information about the castle’s history so I recommend reading up ahead of time or buying the full guide from the visitor centre.

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13. Cilgerran Castle

Just outside the town of Cardigan in West Wales, you’ll find the ruins of the impressive 13th-century Cilgerran Castle which looms over the River Teifi.

The fortress would have once protected the Teifi Gorge and changed hands many times between English and Welsh forces. Today, only two towers, the gatehouse, and the curtain wall remain.

The castle is managed by CADW and open to the public. You can wander around the ruin and climb up inside one of the towers.

The castle visitor centre is seasonal, open from Friday to Sunday during the summer months. When the visitor centre is closed, you can still visit the ruins for free.

After visiting the castle, you can head through the woodland to the Teifi River. There’s a scenic riverside path that runs all the way up to the Welsh Wildlife Centre. The walk takes just under an hour each way.

Note: Cilgerran Castle is on the outskirts of Cardigan and is different to Cardigan Castle which is in the centre of town. I'm not a huge fan of Cardigan Castle as there's very little to see inside given the entry fee - although you can still enjoy it from the outside.

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14. Chirk Castle

Chirk Castle was another fortress built in the 13th century during Edward I's conquest of Wales, however, it's not part of the UNESCO site with the previous four castles. From the 15th century, it became home to the Myddelton family for over 400 years until falling into the hands of the National Trust.

Inside the castle, there are only a few areas that you can actually visit such as the courtyard, the servant's hall which has been furnished as it would have looked back when the Myddelton's lived here, and one of the towers.

For me, the highlight of visiting Chirk Castle was exploring the vast gardens which contain manicured lawns, shrub and rose gardens, lime trees, and the iconic statue of Hercules. The castle is right near the border with England so you can also enjoy incredible views across the Cheshire and Shropshire plains.

Chirk Castle is part of the National Trust and free for members. For non-members, the castle and gardens are paid but the wider parkland is free for everyone and contains several scenic walks.

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15. Gwrych Castle

Gwrych Castle, located just outside of Abergele, is somewhat an imposter among North Wales castles.

Although it looks like a medieval castle, it was built much more recently in the 19th century. Butt he architecture was designed to replicate something much older.

Being so 'modern', it was never used for defensive purposes and was always intended to be an elaborate country house, built by Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh who was a descendent of the Lloyds of Gwrych.

If you recognise the castle, that's because it shot to fame in the UK when it was used as the filming location for the ITV reality show 'I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here' for two years over lockdown.

Today, Gwyrch Castle is owned by the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust and is open to the public for visiting.

If you want to see the castle in a different light, they also run ghost tours where you might come across the 'lady dressed in red' that haunts the corridors.

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16. Criccieth Castle

Criccieth Castle sits at the mouth of the Llyn Peninsular in North Wales. It stands on a rocky headland, dominating the small town of Criccieth, flanked by two beaches on either side and stunning coastal views.

Unlike most Castles in North Wales, this one was actually built by the Welsh and not the English.

It was built by Llywelyn the Great in the 13th century and originally only included the immense gatehouse and stone towers. Later, his grandson, Llywelyn the Last, added the outer ward, two new towers and curtain walls.

However, the castle was taken by Edward I during his conquest. He added a stone-throwing machine to the north tower to deter Welsh rebels from attacking.

Ironically, as well as being built by the Welsh, it was also destroyed by the Welsh when the towers were burned by Owain Glyndwr during his revolt.

Today, Criccieth Castle is owned by CADW who have a small visitor centre at the bottom of the hill. You can then head up to the castle where you can enjoy incredible coastal views from the ruins.

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17. Penrhyn Castle 

Penrhyn Castle looks very different compared to other Welsh castles. That's because the current building was only constructed in the early 19th century to replace an earlier manor house that stood here.

The building was designed in a Neo-Norman style which attempted to replicate the architecture of earlier Norman castles, although still looks quite distinct.

Penrhyn Castle was never used for defensive purposes. It was the home of the Pennant family. The family has a controversial history, having made their fortunes in sugar plantations in Jamaica which relied on slave labour, and later owning Penrhyn Quarry in North Wales which had poor working conditions and low pay.

Today, Penrhyn Castle and Gardens are owned by the National Trust and open to visitors.

The National Trust haven't shied away from addressing the controversial nature of the Pennant family and its links to colonialism which you can learn about here.

You can see the lavish family rooms, the Victorian kitchens, the servants' quarters, and wander the extensive gardens which evolve with the seasons.

Onsite, there is also the Penrhyn Railway Museum which houses some of the equipment that was used at Penrhyn Quarry (once the largest slate quarry in the world) including old locomotives, a horse-drawn fire engine, and coaches.

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18. Raglan Castle

Raglan Castle is a beautiful castle ruin in South Wales. It was built by Sir William ap Thomas, the ‘blue knight of Gewnt’, in the late 15th century. The most impressive part of the original castle was the large hexagonal Great Tower which is still standing today.

His son, Sir William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke took over the castle after his death and built the gatehouse. The gatehouse contains flared ‘machicolations’ which are stone arches that would have allowed missiles to be thrown down at attackers, earning them the nickname 'murder holes'.

The castle became the staggering fortress we see today much later when it came under the ownership of the Earls of Worcester. The family transformed the castle into a country seat with a long gallery and an impressive Renaissance garden.

One of the castle’s claims to fame is that it was involved in one of the longest sieges during the English Civil War (1642-51). When it eventually fell to parliamentary forces it was deliberately destroyed.

Today, it's under the care of CADW as a paid visitor attraction. There is a small visitor centre on the site which contains some of the original Tudor wooden panelling of the castle.

There isn't anywhere to buy food and drink on site, but it does make a perfect picnic spot on a sunny day if you remember to bring your own.

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Good Castles in Wales

19. Hay Castle

The town of Hay-on-Wye is best known for its many bookshops, but one of the other attractions in the small market town is Hay Castle.

The current Hay Castle, or what’s left of it, was built in the 11^th or 12^th century back when Hay was a walled town known as Hay Anglicana. Through its early years, it was involved in many conflicts including Owain Glyndwr’s rebellion and the Battle of the Roses.

When the fighting calmed down, the castle became a mansion and passed through many wealthy families until it landed in the hands of Richard Booth who turned it into one of the first of many bookshops in Hay.

Today, it’s in the hands of the Hay Castle Trust. There’s a shop and cafe on the ground floor which are free to visit. On the upper floors, there's an exhibition and gallery (admission fee applies).

I joined one of the daily tours which run at 11am and 2pm. The tour will teach you about the history of the town and some of the most important characters that made it into what we see today.

The tour is excellent for history buffs like myself, but be prepared for information overload – it might not be a great activity for children. No need to book ahead, just turn up and pay on arrival.

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20. Castell Dinas Brân

Nestled upon a picturesque hill overlooking the market town of Llangollen, stands the remarkable ruins of Castell Dinas Brân. Although only ruins remain today, during its heyday, the castle would have been grand and luxurious.

The castle was built by the Princes of Powys Fadog which was the northern part of the old Kingdom of Powys. The stone castle was built in the 1260s, although a wooden structure probably stood here much earlier.

However, Castell Dinas Brân was burned down by its own garrison in 1277, less than 20 years after being built. This was during a period of unrest to prevent it from being captured and used by English forces.

Although partially repaired by King Edward I, it was abandoned in 1282 in favour of Holt Castle which was built nearby.

Castell Dinas Brân is at the top of a hill and the only way to reach it is by walking up. It takes 30-40 minutes to reach the castle from the centre of Llangollen. Although not a long walk, it is quite steep at points so I would give it a moderate difficulty rating.

As the castle is mostly in ruins, there's no charge to visit.

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21. Carreg Cennin Castle

Carreg Cennen castle sits on the western side of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. Although technically in West Wales too, it's easily visited from most places in South Wales.

The castle is found sitting on top of a rocky outcrop overlooking the River Cennen. It is made up of 6 towers and a twin-towered gatehouse.

The first stone castle was most likely built in the early-13th century by the Welsh Prince Rhys ap Gruffydd, later known as The Lord Rhys. But, it eventually fell into the hands of John Giffard who was loyal to Edward I of England. He was responsible for remodelling the castle into a grand fortress.

Today, it's a ruin but you can still make out much of the castle walls, towers, and gatehouse. It's hilltop location provides incredible views of the surrounding valley.

There is a tea room, gift shop, and parking area at the bottom of the hill. It’s a 20 minute upwards walk to reach the ruins which are also managed by CADW. A small entry fee applies to the castle itself although the farm and land around the castle are free to enter.

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22. Margam Castle

Margam Castle is like something out of a fairytale. Unlike most castles in South Wales which date to the Middle Ages, Margam Castle is a 19th-century mansion built in a Tudor Revival style. Although it was never used as a defensive fortification, it still has gables, turrets, and towers reminiscent of other castles.

It was designed by architect Thomas Hopper for Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot and would have cost £50,000 when it was constructed in the 1830s.

The castle remained in the ownership of the Talbot family until 1942. Over the next few decades, it passed through several families and fell into disrepair. In 1974, it was given to the county council who are the current owners, although didn't actually open to the public until much later.

A devastating fire in 1977 destroyed the interior and since then an ambitious restoration programme has begun. 

Today, there is a visitor centre in the outer buildings and some of the restored areas inside the castle are open to the public. You can easily spend a full day here as the surrounding estate, known as Margam Country Park, is full of activities from stunning gardens and walking trails to adventure playgrounds and ropes courses.

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23. Chepstow Castle 

Located on the Welsh-English border this 600-year-old medieval castle is beautifully preserved. It stretches out across a hilltop overlooking the River Wye and is truly magical.

Chepstow Castle was one of the first Norman strongholds in the country so has a legitimate claim as the oldest Welsh castle.

It was built in 1067 by Earl William fitz Osbern who was a close friend of William the Conqueror. The castle was owned by several extremely wealthy men during its life, including William Marshal (Earl of Pembroke), Roger Bigod (Earl of Norfolk) and Charles Somerset (Earl of Worcester).

Each of these owners left their own stamp on the castle until it was left to decline after the Civil War. Today the castle is a ruin managed by CADW. It's a paid visitor attraction and one of the top things to do in Chepstow.

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24. Rhuddlan Castle

Rhuddlan Castle is yet another fortress built by Edward I. It was one of his earlier castles in North Wales and the first to use a new concentric design which had a wall within a wall for extra protection.

While most Edward I's castles were near the coast where they could be easily supplied in the case of a siege,, Rhuddlan is several miles inland so would rely on the river instead. However, to construct the castle exactly where the king wanted it, his builders had to move the river.

It was at this castle that Edward declared he would appoint ‘a prince who was born in Wales, could speak no English, and whose life and conversation nobody could stain'. He was referring to his son, who was later born in Caernarfon and became Edward II.

Today, Rhuddlan is managed by CADW and is open to visitors during the peak visitor season.

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25. Dolwyddelan Castle

Isolated in the beautiful North Welsh countryside Dolwyddelan Castle is a truly peaceful ruin. This 13th-century fortress sits at the top of a small hill from which you can enjoy the views across Eryri National Park (Snowdonia).

It's thought that the castle originally consisted of one small tower, which was built by the Princes of Gwynedd as a stronghold for the area. However, when it was taken by Edward I, he increased the size of the tower and added a second.

There is no dedicated parking at the site so I recommend that you park on the layby on the A470 which has a public footpath directly up to the castle.

The castle is free to visit so you can walk up the hill and admire it from the outside whenever you like, however, due to concerns about the safety of some parts of the upper areas, the inside is only open a few days per week. You can find out the latest opening times and other visitor information on the CADW website.

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26. Manorbier Castle

Manorbier Castle sits on the cliffs overlooking the sandy shores of Manorbier Bay. The original earth and timber castle was built by the Norman knight, Odo de Barri in the 11th century but was later rebuilt in stone by his son.

There was no moat or barbican, instead, the castle made use of its coastal position and steep cliffs for natural protection. This worked, with the castle only being attacked twice in its history. However, the second time would prove detrimental as it was taken and slighted by parliamentary forces in the English Civil War.

In 1670, it was brought by the Philipps who also owned Picton Castle (I'll mention this later). In the 19th century, considerable restoration work was conducted by J.R. Cobb to whom the castle was leased.

The castle remains privately owned but some parts are open to the public. You can explore the gatehouse and the inner keep, climb to the top of the keep for panoramic views, and enjoy refreshments at the castle tea room in the old Guards Room. During the summer months, they run guided tours too.

Private events are often held here (mostly weddings) so check ahead on their Instagram to ensure it's open. You can also stay at Manorbier Castle at the Victorian manor house within the castle walls. It's been converted into a holiday home that can sleep up to 12 people.

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27. Denbigh Castle

Denbigh Castle sits atop a rocky outcrop over the Vale of Clwyd in North Wales.

It was the royal residence of Dafydd ap Gruffudd, the last native prince of Gwynedd. However, after Dafydd attacked nearby Hawarden Castle which was under the control of King Edward I, the king retaliated by taking Denbigh Castle.

The King's commander, Henry De Lacy, set about building a large stone fortress with tower walls on top of what had been Dafydd’s stronghold. However, halfway through this renovation work the castle was attacked by Welsh forces and taken back.

Denbigh Castle is owned by CADW. As well as the ruins, it's home to a small exhibition with information about the castle's history. To reach the entrance, you must quite literally follow in the footsteps of medieval soldiers and cross the drawbridge into the triple-towered gatehouse.

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28. Llansteffan Castle

Llansteffan Castle which sits on a headland overlooking the Tywi Estuary in West Wales.

The ruins you can see today come from a 12th-century stone castle built to control the Welsh. However, archaeological evidence suggests there was a fort here as early as the Iron Age.

Following the English conquest of Wales, the castle changed hands many times, including being captured twice by forces loyal to Owain Glyndŵr in the early 15th century.

The castle is privately owned, however, it is cared for by CADW and can be visited by the public (no admission charge). You can park your car at the beach or in the centre of the village and follow the trail to up the hill.

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29. White Castle 

White Castle is one of the best preserved of the three castles in Monmouthshire known as ‘The Three Castles’ (which also Skenfrith Castle and Grosmont Castle). They were constructed to control the border with England.

White Castle would have originally been constructed from wood and earth but a series of later renovations led to its appearance in stone today. There are theories that its name has come from the white render that would have been used on its masonry at the time.

The castle’s structure is made up of an outer ward and an inner ward. The former is the size of a football pitch and the latter is a pear shape and hides behind a steep, water-filled moat. King Edward I took possession of the Three Castles in 1254 and it is thought that these defences were his additions to the castle.

Today, White Castle is cared for by CADW but is free to visit.

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Castles You Can Stay In

30. Roch Castle

If you're reading this article and it's giving you castle-envy, these next few castles are privately owned and available to stay in.

Roch Castle is a 12th-century castle in Pembrokeshire where it overlooks St Bride's Bay from atop a rocky outcrop. It was built by Norman knight Adam de Rupe to protect an area of southern Pembrokeshire known as 'Little England' where the language and culture were English, despite being a long way from England.

Unlike most other castles across West Wales, there are no mentions of Roch Castle being involved in battle which explains why it appears to be remarkably preserved.

It passed through many different families during its life, most recently falling into the hands of the Griffiths Roch Foundation who turned it into a luxury bed and breakfast that's been awarded 5-stars by Visit Wales.

The refurbished rooms blend a contemporary design and historical details, for a comfortable and stylish stay.

Unfortunately, you can't visit the castle unless you are a guest. But the rooms are surprisingly well-priced given the historic nature of the building and the level of luxury.

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31. Bodelwyddan Castle

Bodelwyddan Castle, near Snowdonia in North Wales, is a Grade II listed Victorian folly set within its own peaceful estate.

There has been a castle on the site since 1460, however, the structure was completely rebuilt in 1830 in the Victorian Gothic style by Sir John Hay Williams. It was Sir John who also established the impressive formal gardens. 

During World War One the Castle acted as a hospital and the grounds were used by the army as a training centre for trench warfare. After this, the property became a girl's school for a while. 

Today, it's owned by Warner Leisure Hotels who have built a luxury hotel in the castle grounds. The hotel has recently undergone a huge renovation with a large atrium and new garden lodges. They have an onsite restaurant, a huge heated indoor pool, and host evening entertainment most nights.

You won't be staying in the actual castle as it's a listed building. However, as a hotel guest, you can access the museum, cafe, shops and exhibition for free.

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32. Château Rhianfa

My final castle in Wales that you can stay in is the fairytale-esque Château Rhianfa which overlooks the Menai Strait on Anglesey.

The castle was built by Sir John Hay-Williams in the 19th century but looks more like something you'd find in France than Wales. This is because it was inspired by his wife's sketches of the Châteaus of the Loire Valley.

It was their family home for over a century but today is operated as a hotel that's been awarded 5-star status by Visit Wales.

Coming with access to its own private beach, wonderful views, a tennis court and a wine cellar (with optional wine tasting), this Victorian building provides a luxurious setting fit for a King or Queen!

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Related Questions

What's the Biggest Castle in Wales?

The biggest castle in Wales is Caerphilly Castle which covers an area of more than 30 acres. It's also the second biggest castle in Britain, with only Windsor Castle being bigger.

If this has shocked you, I recommend checking out my Welsh castle facts for some more interesting pieces of information.

What's the Oldest Castle in Wales?

Chepstow Castle is the oldest castle in Wales that's still standing today. Construction began in 1067 which makes it more than 950 years old.

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