As someone from Caerphilly, I've heard all of the stories and fun facts about Caerphilly Castle countless times. But for those of you from further afield who don’t know much about this famous medieval construction, I've compiled this ultimate list of facts to bring you up to speed.
1. It's the Biggest Castle in Wales
Caerphilly boasts the biggest castle in Wales and the second largest castle in Britain. It occupies roughly 30 acres and is surrounded by two vast artificial lakes. Only Windsor Castle is considered biggest than Caerphilly Castle.
2. Caerphilly Castle is Three-Quarters of a Millennia Old
The castle is just over 750 years old. Building began in 1268 CE, but the first phase of building work was not completed until the mid-1270’s CE. The second phase of building work took until 1278-1285 CE to finish and the third phase was completed in 1285-1300
3. The Castle Was Designed By an 18-Year-Old English Earl
The castle was built in very hostile territory during the second half of the 13th century by Gilbert de Clare (Earl of Gloucester and Hertford). The Earl was also known as ‘Red Gilbert’ due to his hair colour. Gilbert inherited the land when he was just 18 years old.
The castle was built as part of his struggle to keep control of Glamorgan. Gilbert’s experience at the siege of Kenilworth Castle in 1266 CE is believed to have influenced the castle’s design. Most of the castle was built in only three years (between 1268 and 1271)
4. It Was One of the First Concentric Castles in the UK
With its double ring of defense walls, each adorned with round towers, square towers, and four fortified gateways, Caerphilly is an impressive example of a concentric castle design. It was one of the first concentric castles in the United Kingdom.
Gilbert’s experience at the siege of Kenilworth Castle in 1266 CE is believed to have influenced the castle’s design
5. It’s Ready For a Siege
On the South Dam Platform, to the left of the outer castle, you can see and learn about medieval 12th Century siege engines via Caerphilly’s Castle’s life size wooden replicas.
The replicas include a trebuchet which is a type of catapult, with a long arm used to throw large objects, such as stones or rocks, at the enemy. A trebuchet was a common and very powerful siege engine until the invention of gunpowder.
The weapons are fired at Easter to demonstrate their power to visitors.
6. It's Home to a Family of Dragons
For children and fantasy story-loving adults, you will find a dragon’s lair at the castle with a 13-foot-long storytelling dragon and family who will tell you The Cadw Dragons' Tale complete with special effects including dragon smoke and snores.
You can read the full story here.
7. There’s a Resident Ghost: The Green Lady
If dragons weren't enough to satisfy your fantasies, then rest assured that it's also home to a ghost known as the Green Lady.
The castle's designer and owner (Gilbert) married Princess Alice of Angouleme who unfortunately fell in love with a dashing Welsh Prince. Gilbert found out about the princess's forbidden love and she was sent back to France.
The Prince was soon swinging from a noose at Gilbert’s command and the vengeful husband dispatched a courier to France to inform Alice of the killing of her lover. She is said to have dropped dead on the spot due to the shock of the news.
Alice’s ghost has since haunted the ramparts of Caerphilly Castle. She can be seen dressed in a finely woven green dress, to symbolise Gilbert's envy
8. A Jail and a Festival Site Are Among Previous Uses For the Castle
As well as it's traditional uses, Caerphilly Castle has been used in many interesting ways too. In 1530, antiquary John Leland stated the castle was in ruins and surrounded by marshland, but a single tower was being used as a jail
However, during the 15th century it believed to have also been used, for the town's eisteddfod. An eisteddfod is a festival in Welsh culture that includes numerous rated competitions, such as poetry and music.
In the 19th century the castle was used for even more: religious rallies, festivals, concerts, military tattoos, and horticulture displays.
Today the castle and the grounds are used for medical re-enactments, Son et Lumiere, Concerts, Outdoor and Indoor theatre productions, Craft fairs, Banquets, Cinema events and Art exhibitions to name but a few
9. It Has a Leaning Tower to Rival Pisa
It is not only Italy that has a famous leaning tower, Wales also has one!
The southeast tower leans at approximately 10 degrees, far surpassing the famous leaning tower of Pisa! The South East tower looks as if it is about to collapse at any second with two large lumps of it already fallen.
Caerphilly Castle's leaning tower vs Pisa
The reason for the tower's lean is likely due to ground subsidence
The tower was believed to house Gilbert’s senior staff in a residential suite that faces the sun, this might have been the steward and carver. Spiral steps and the hollows of fireplaces are still visible in the ruined tower.
The leaning tower is now supported by a statue of the 4th Marquess of Bute who was instrumental in the castle's earlier restoration. The sculpture was added recently in 2013 by sculptor John Merrill.
10. It Has Survived Deadly Conflicts
The history of Caerphilly Castle saw a lot of fighting between Gilbert de Clare, his descendants, and the native Welsh rulers (including a civil war). Some fighting even occurred before the castle was finished being built!
During the Madog ap Llywelyn insurrection of 1294, the Llywelyn Bren uprising of 1316, and the overthrow of Edward II in 1326–27, the fortress was attacked. However, it began to deteriorate in the late 15th century, and by the 16th century, the lakes had dried up and the stone walls had been stripped.
Fortunately, the property was purchased by the Marquesses of Bute in 1776, and substantial restoration took place under the third and fourth Marquesses. The state took over the castle and grounds in 1950, and the water defenses were re-flooded.
11. It's One of the Mightiest Medieval Fortresses in Western Europe
The central island could only be reached through a drawbridge and a pair of gatehouses. The distance between the castle's outside wall and the centre is too great for conventional warfare to be effective. Catapults couldn't reach it, and tunnelling was too difficult.
Additional water defenses, towers, and gatehouses were later added to increase security and protect lowlands from flooding.
12. It Has A Whopping Six Gatehouses
Whilst most castles of the time would focus on having one well-defended gatehouse, this was not enough for Caerphilly Castle which has no fewer than 6 gatehouses
- Outer Main Gatehouse: There were originally two draw bridges before this point. This gatehouse was designed to demonstrate military strength.
- North Gatehouse: The North Gatehouse was created to emphasise a road from the valleys to the castle.
- South Gatehouse: This opened towards Caerphilly town.
- Outer East Gatehouse: The Outer East Gatehouse defended the entrance to the middle ward.
- Inner East Gatehouse: This had a large room on the upper floor, which possibly served as lodgings for royal visitors.
- West Gatehouse: The West gatehouse had vaulted ground floor rooms.
13. The Castle Has Been Featured in Many Shows Including Dr Who
An entire TV series was filmed at the castle, A Discovery of Witches.
This British fantasy television series was based on Deborah Harkness's All Souls Trilogy, which is named after the first book. It stars Teresa Palmer and Matthew Goode as a witch and a vampire who must learn about and fight off supernatural creatures in a film produced by Bad Wolf and Sky Studios.
The cast spent many hours filming a sequence in the moat on a rowing boat.
The 13th-century location has appeared in other productions, including Doctor Who, HBO's The Bastard Executioner and was used for scenes set in the Tower of London in The Spanish Princess, produced by American network Starz and about Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of King Henry VIII
14. You Can Get Married at Caerphilly Castle
As well as visiting Caerphilly Castle, both wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships are a regular occurrence here, allowing couples to tie the knot in a captivating and historic setting.
The site also holds PRS, PPL and consumption of alcohol licenses. The Great Hall is 30ft x 70ft with a capacity for up to 200 people or 150 people for a sit-down function
15. It Has One of the Largest Great Halls Built in England and Wales
Located within the Inner Ward is the very grand rectangular Great Hall which gives you an idea of the social life of castle inhabitants. It's 23m (75ft) long 11m (36ft) wide, and originally 10.5m (34ft) high.
The current floor is now around 1m (3 feet 3 inches) higher than it was. A huge open fireplace is found in the centre of the room, the smoke from which would have risen into the roof space and through a ventilator before escaping.
The hall is believed to be one of the largest great halls (excluding royal halls) built in England and Wales which Gilbert de Clare used for court, ceremonies, and great feasts. Knights and retainers were known to visit the hall and sit along tables that ran the length of the room
Currently the vast space is furnished with a medieval replica banquet table and high-backed chairs.
16. Caerphilly Castle Can Be Very Cheesy
During the Summer months most years, the castle hosts The Big Cheese, a cheese festival that is renowned across Wales. Entry is free and people can enjoy live music, performances, stalls, art and crafts, fairground rides, and of course. sample some locally made cheese as well as other food and drinks.
Caerphilly Cheese is a hard, white cheese named after the town in South Wales of the same name. It was invented circa 1830 in Caerphilly. It has a texture and flavour similar to cheddar, the most popular cheese in the UK.
Other crumbly cheeses including Cheshire, young Lancashire, and Wensleydale inspired the Caerphilly recipe. According to legend, the cheese was created specifically for coal miners because its rugged texture and shallow height made it simple to eat with bare hands, and the salty, moist curd helped to replenish lost minerals
Published: 29 June 2022 · Last updated: 11 October 2023