19 BEST Castles in South Wales [With Map]

South Wales is home to some of Wales' finest castles. Whilst they may not have World Heritage Site status like the castles in the north, South Wales can boast Wales' oldest castle and Wales' largest castle.

They range ranging from towering fortifications on rocky outcrops, to fairytale-like castles in the forest.

Most of these castles date back to the Middle Ages when there were fierce battles in Wales between the Welsh and the invading Normans who ruled England.

Over time, they have been used as family homes, administrative buildings, and even converted into jails. Today, many of the castles in South Wales have been turned into visitor attractions.

As a Welshman, I have visited most of the castles on my travels across Wales. In this guide, I've curated a list of my favourite castles to visit in South Wales along with some fun facts and visitor information.

Also Read: Best Castles To Visit in Wales

Map of Castles in South Wales

Here is an interactive map of the castles in South Wales.

*Note: In this guide, I consider everything south of Powys and east of Carmarthenshire to be 'South Wales', also known as 'Southeast Wales'.

Best Castles in South Wales

1. 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.

Also Read: Visiting Caerphilly Castle

2. Cardiff Castle

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.

Cardiff Castle Courtyard View with Keep 2

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,

Also Read: Visiting Cardiff Castle

3. 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.

Also Read: Visiting Castell Coch

4. Raglan Castle

Raglan Castle was built by Sir William ap Thomas, the ‘blue knight of Gewnt’, in the late 15th century. The most impressive part of the castle, the large hexagonal Great Tower, is one of the original features, built in 1435 and 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.

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.

Raglan would also play an important role in the English Civil War when it fell to parliamentary forces after one of the longest sieges of the war. Today, it's under the care of CADW as a paid visitor attraction.

5. Kidwelly Castle

Just over in Carmarthenshire (technically in West Wales but it's close enough) is Kidwelly Castle, another Norman stronghold and 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.

Also Read: Visiting Kidwelly Castle

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

Other Castles in South Wales

The following South Wales castles are great to visit if you're nearby but not necessarily worth travelling to see especially.

9. Oystermouth Castle

Sat atop a hill overlooking the picturesque village of Mumbles (just around the coast from Swansea) is Oystermouth Castle.

The earliest building on the site is the keep which dates from the early 12th century. The castle was used as the residence of the Marcher Lords of Gower and was frequently under attack from local Welsh rebels.

Over the centuries, the castle changed hands several times, witnessing battles, sieges, and even a stint as a rebel base under Owain Glyndŵr in the 15th century. But it's military significance dwindled, and by the 17th century was a ruin.

The castle is owned by Swansea County Council and is open to visitors during the peak season. As well as exploring the ruins, there's a small museum in some of the restored rooms that tells the castle's story.

10. Dinefwr Castle

Dinefwr Castle sits atop a hilltop overlooking the Tywi Valley. First constructed in the 12th century, it played a key role in Welsh history as the Kingdom of Deheubarth was ruled from here in the 12th and 13th centuries.

It's thought that The Lord Rhys, one of the most famous rulers of Deheubarth, rebuilt the castle from stone. He also built Carreg Cennin castle (mentioned earlier) which isn't too far away.

The castle eventually fell into the hands of the English in 1287 and the Welsh did not manage to reclaim it for centuries. The famous Welsh rebel Owain Glyndwr attempted to take the castle back during his uprising in 1403, however, he was unsuccessful.

In the 17th century, a new residence was built on the grounds, Newton House and the castle became more of a summerhouse.

Today, the castle is under the care of CADW and can be visited for free where you can climb up the round tower, explore the keep, and walk along the curtain wall for panoramic countryside views.

The castle sits within Dinefwr Park which is owned by the National Trust. You can make a full day out with lots of other things to do in the park. This includes visiting Newtown House (a paid attraction), wandering the parklands which are home to deer, and walking around the historic mill pond on the boardwalk.

11. White Castle

White Castle is one of the best preserved of the three castles in Monmouthshire known as ‘The Three Castles’ which also includes Skenfrith and Grosmont (mentioned below). These castles 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.

12. Skenfrith Castle

The second of ‘The Three Castles’ founded by the Norman lord William fitz Osbern in the 12th century is Skenfrith Castle.

The remains that can be seen today were added later in the 13th-century by Hurbert de Burg. Its strategic position on the banks of the River Monnow overlooks the main routes between Wales and England.

The walls of the castle are well-preserved and surround a circular keep. The structure was built on an earth mound to provide extra defences if it were attached.

Combined ‘The Three Castles’ covered and controlled a large area of the border between the River Wye and the Black Mountains. This is another CADW castle and is free to visit.

13. Ogmore Castle

Ogmore Castle was built around 1116 by William de Londres near the Ewenny River in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The Londres family owned it until 1298 when it fell into the Duchy of Lancaster by marriage.

It has been abandoned since the 16th century, although parts of it were later used as a court and a prison before it fell completely to ruin.

The small, but picturesque ruins are still owned by the Duchy of Lancaster, but under an agreement with the local authorities, they are open to the public and free to visit.

Next to the castle, you'll see the iconic stepping stones over the Ewenny River. Just down the road, you can enjoy beautiful coastal views from Ogmore-by-Sea.

14. Caldicot Castle

(view images here)

Caldicot Castle dates back to the 11th century when it was built by the Norman earls of Hereford. It sits in a strategic position on a rocky outcrop where it can control the River Nedern which runs nearby.

The castle notably fell into the ownership of Thomas of Woodstock, one of King Edward III's sons. Thomas was an important advisor to his nephew, King Richard II, during his reign until the king had him kidnapped and murdered. The castle then reverted to the crown.

In the 19th century, the Cobb family purchased the castle and embarked on a meticulous restoration project, transforming it into their Victorian family home.

Today, the castle is managed by the local authorities and open to the public. You can climb to the top of the towers for panoramic views across the parklands and countryside. You can also visit the dungeons, the castle rooms, and the courtyard where huge cannons from HMS Foudroyant now lie.

The enormous castle grounds are open year-round with walking routes, tea rooms, and cycling trails. However, the castle itself is seasonal so check opening times ahead of visiting.

15. Grosmont Castle

The third of ‘The Three Castles’ (along with White Castle and Skenfrith) is Grosmont Castle, an early 13th century fortress that was built to protect the route between Hereford and Wales.

Like most castles in South Wales, it would have originally been made from earth and timber which would later be replaced with stone. It was strengthened in the 13th century with a new gatehouse and circular towers.

However, after Edward I's conquest of Wales in 1282, Grosmont Castle lost its military significance. Despite a siege in 1405 during the Glyndŵr Rising, the castle fell into disuse and ruin by the 16th century.

Today, all that remains of the castle is the square keep and curtain walls which are under the care of CADW and free to visit.

16. Llansteffan Castle

Llansteffan Castle offers the most spectacular views from its ruined walls, overlooking farmland, the sea and the sandy banks of the Tywi Estuary and Carmarthen Bay.

The castle ruins date to the 12th century when it was built to control the Welsh and protect an important river crossing. 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 but is cared for by CADW and open to the public with no admission fee.

Even without the castle, the views alone are worth visiting. But you can still see the large twin-towered gatehouse, parts of the curtain walls, and the foundations of other structures.

You can park your car at the beach or in the centre of the village and follow the trail up the hill.

17. Coity Castle

Coity Castle is about 5 minutes outside of Bridgend by car. The castle was originally constructed by Sir Payn de Turberville, a Norman knight with the nickname 'the Demon', around 1100. He was one of the legendary Twelve Knights of Glamorgan, although nobody seems sure where his nickname originated.

The castle was held by the Turberville family for several centuries before passing through other noble families.

During this time, many additions and modifications were made to the castle which is why it has a mix of different architectural styles.

Major work was done during the 14th century and then again in the 15th century after a siege of the castle by Owain Glyndwr during his uprising against the English in Wales. A third floor was added in the 16th century.

However, by the 17th century, its military significance dwindled and it quickly fell into disrepair. Today, the ruin is free to visit under the care of CADW.

18. Pennard Castle

Pennard Castle is a beautiful little castle ruin on the Gower Peninsular near the village of Pennard.

It was built in the early 12th century as a timber ringwork following the Norman invasion of Wales. The walls were rebuilt in stone by the Braose family at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries, including a stone gatehouse.

It stands in a beautiful location on the cliffs above the famous beach at Three Cliffs Bay. However, this picturesque setting was to be its downfall as encroaching dunes caused the site to be abandoned and it fell into ruin.

The castle is now owned by Pennard Golf Club and the ruins are protected as a Grade II* listed building. You can get to the castle via a short 5 minute walk through the golf course (easy option) or by hiking up the path from the beach (hard option). There is no charge to visit the castle.

19. Weobley Castle

Weobley Castle, a 14th-century fortified manor house on the Gower Peninsula, Wales, was built by the de la Bere family between 1304 and 1327.

Overlooking saltmarshes and the Loughor estuary, it served as a residence rather than a military outpost.

The castle includes a gateway, hall, kitchen, chapel block, and east range.

It wasn't involved in a lot of conflict apart from being attacked and damaged by Owain Glyndŵr in the 15th century.

Its most recent owner, Emily Talbot, donated it to the state in 1911 and it's now under the care of CADW. The castle is open to the public between Apri and October (entry fees apply).