In the heart of the Welsh capital, Cardiff Castle is an iconic landmark which I would rank among the best castles in South Wales.
Having lived in Cardiff for several years, I've been to the castle by myself and on tours. Now I've put together this helpful guide so that you can plan your own visit to Cardiff Castle with ease.
About Cardiff Castle
Cardiff Castle was first built in the 11th century by the Normans to control their newly conquered territory in South Wales. However, a fort has existed on the site since the Roman era.
In the 18th century, the castle fell into the hands of the Bute family which marked a new era. This wealthy and influential family transformed Cardiff Castle into a masterpiece with extravagant interiors and a brand-new clock tower.
Today, the castle is under the care of the city council and is one of the top attractions in Wales.
See my dedicated article for a full history of Cardiff Castle.
Is Cardiff Castle Worth Visiting?
Yes, Cardiff Castle is absolutely worth visiting! You can go into the castle courtyard for free where you'll see the Norman keep standing proudly in the middle. There's a lovely little cafe in the courtyard and they occasionally have events here too.
If you decide to buy a ticket, you can go inside the keep and climb to the top for great city views. You can also explore the extravagantly-decorated mansion house and wander through the tunnels in the castle walls which were used as air raid shelters for the city during the world wars.
If you are going to pay for entry to the castle, I highly recommend adding on a house tour for an extra £4 as you will get to see more parts of the house and have an excellent local guide who will tell you lots of information and point out things you may not have otherwise noticed.
How Long Does it Take to Visit Cardiff Castle?
I spent around 2 hours visiting Cardiff Castle which was enough time to see the keep, the museum, the tunnels, and for a guided house tour. On a sunny day, I would recommend extra time to enjoy the courtyard cafe or have a picnic in the courtyard.
Things To Do at Cardiff Castle
Here is what I got up to on my latest visit to Cardiff Castle:
1. Climb to the top of the Norman keep
The current stoen keep dates back to the 12th century when it was built by Robert Consul, Earl of Gloucester to replace the timber keep originally built here.
The keep was once the prison of Duke Robert of Normandy, the eldest son of William the Conqueror. Robert was held in the keep for eight years, until his death in 1134
You can see the keep for free from the castle courtyard, however, if you have purchased a ticket, you can climb the stone steps up to and inside the keep for epic views of the city as shown in the photo above which I took from the very top.
2. Explore the mansion house
It's been a long time since the castle was used defensively. It has mostly been used as a home which is why there is a Victorian Gothic revival mansion near the keep.
Although parts of the house may date to the 15th century, most of what you'll see was built in the 18th century. The decor inside is very extravagant thanks to renovations by the 3rd Marquee of Bute and his architect, William Burges.
I recommend taking a trip to Castell Coch too, you'll notice many similarities in the decor as they were both renovated by Burges around the same time.
As part of your entrance ticket, you'll be able to visit the main parts of the house such as the banquetting hall and the library (shown above).
3. Tour the castle apartments
As I've mentioned before, I highly recommend adding a tour which you can book when you buy the tickets. If you are paying the pricey admission fee, it makes sense to pay a little extra and get the full experience.
The tours visit parts of the house that you don't get to see on your own such as the castle apartments or the clock tower rooms, plus, the guides are super knowledgeable.
The house tours are available every day, on the hour whilst clock tower tours are available on weekends and bank holidays during the summer season.
| Tour Prices | |
|---|---|
| Adult | £4.00 |
| Child (ages 5-16, must be with an adult) | £3.00 |
| Senior/Student/Disabled | £3.50 |
| Adult Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 children) | £11.00 |
| Senior Family Ticket (2 seniors, 2 children) | £10.00 |
4. Visit the Firing Line museum
Cardiff Castle also holds the Museum of The Queen’s Dragoon Guards and The Royal Welsh. This exhibition commemorates over 300 years of military history, from the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 as well as the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The museum holds a mix of hands-on activities as well as a programme of living history and exhibits
5. See the original Roman architecture
Until 1888 the castle’s Roman past had remained hidden for nearly 900 years. It was only discovered in the 19th century when the 3rd Marquess of Bute made the decision to construct a new tower and his builders accidentally discovered the remains of the Roman fort.
Since this, archaeological excavations have indicated that there were four forts, each of different sizes, on the site where the Castle now stands. The remains of the Roman Wall can be seen preserved in the Vistors Centre
6. Walk through the tunnels in the castle walls
A well-known fact about Cardiff Castle is that during World War II, it was once again used for defensive purposes, but this time as a defence against sky-bound attacks.
A network of tunnels and chambers beneath the castle walls were ingeniously converted into air raid shelters, providing safety for residents of the city during the darkest hours of conflict.
The tunnels have been opened up for you to visit and they still contain some of the equipment once used there such as beds and gas masks.
7. Enjoy a bite to eat in the castle courtyard
There's a cafe in the castle courtyard which serves up a range of light snacks and hot and cold drinks. The cafe has an outdoor terrace with great views of the castle keep (see photo above) which makes a great place to enjoy a coffee (or even a beer).
Opening times for the cafe are the same as the castle itself which were shared earlier in this article. During summer, additional seating is placed across the lawn too.
Visiting Cardiff Castle
Entrance Fees
Cardiff Castle is a paid attraction, although most people don't realise that it's completely free to access the Castle’s outer green which is also known as the Public Square (see more free things to do in Cardiff here).
Below are the prices for the rest of the castle:
| Admission Prices | |
|---|---|
| Adult | £14.50 |
| Child (aged 5-16, accompanied by an adult) | £10.00 |
| Senior/Student/Disabled | £12.00 |
| Adult Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 children) | £39.00 |
| Senior Family Ticket (2 seniors, 2 children) | £35.00 |
| Under 5s | Free |
Guided tours are also available for an additional fee - I recommend you add these on.
Do You Need to Book to Visit Cardiff Castle?ㅤ
No, you do not need to book to visit Cardiff Castle, you can buy your tickets at the entrance. However, it is advisable that you book in advance, especially at peak times or if you are travelling a long way.
Is Cardiff Castle Free for Residents?ㅤ
Yes, Cardiff Castle is free for residents if you currently live or work in Cardiff. You are entitled to a Key to the Castle which gives you free admission to the Castle for 3 years.
Is Cardiff Castle Free for National Trust Members?ㅤ
No, Cardiff Castle is not free for National Trust members or CADW members because it's owned by Cardiff City Council.
Opening Hours
Cardiff Castle is open 7 days per week, year-round. Opening times are as follows:
| Summer (Mar-Oct) | Mon-Fri: 10am-6pm Sat/Sun: 9am-6pm |
| Winter (Nov-Feb) | Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm Sat/Sun: 9am-5pm |
Last entry is one hour before closing time.
Cardiff Castle is open most bank holidays except for 25/12, 26/12, and 1/1.
During school holidays and bank holidays, the weekend opening hours apply every day.
Getting to Cardiff Castle
Cardiff Castle is right in the middle of the city so it's very easy to walk to from anywhere in the city centre.
Getting To Cardiff Castle By Carㅤ
By Car: If you are coming from outside of Cardiff on the M4, take junction 32 and follow the A470 to the city centre.
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There is no on-site parking at Cardiff Castle. The best place to park near the castle is Westgate Street Car Park or Cardiff Greyfriars which are both within 5 minutes on foot.
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Getting To Cardiff Castle By Public Transportㅤ
- Park & Ride: Cardiff has three park & ride sites that can be used to visit Cardiff Castle. These are located in the south, east and west.
ㅤ - Bus: There is a bus stop directly outside the castle called KA. You can use Google Maps or the Cardiff Bus app to plan your journey. Cardiff buses accept contactless card payments.
ㅤ - Train: Both Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street railway stations are about 12 minutes walk from the castle entrance. These serve most routes coming through Cardiff.
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Cycling to Cardiff Castleㅤ
You can cycle to Cardiff Castle using OVO bikes, there is an OVO bike station right outside the castle entrance.
Related Questions
Is Cardiff Castle Suitable for Wheelchairs?ㅤ
Accessibility in the main castle courtyard is good with flat walkways around the courtyard and an accessible cafe. Remember, this section is free.
As for the paid sections, the main castle keep and the castle mansion are not wheelchair friendly which are some of the best parts of the castle. The Firing Line Museum, the tunnels through the walls, and the battlements are accessible.
In my view, the concession rate is still too expensive given how much you would miss although a carer can enter for free which helps.
Is Cardiff Castle Dog-Friendly?ㅤ
No, Cardiff Castle is not dog friendly, although assistance dogs are permitted.
Can You Get Married in Cardiff Castle?ㅤ
Yes, you can get married in Cardiff Castle. It makes a fairytale wedding venue. Find out more here.
Is Cardiff Castle a CADW Site?ㅤ
No Cardiff Castle is not a CADW site, it is owned and run by Cardiff City Council.
Cardiff Castle or Caerphilly Castle - Which is Better to Visit?ㅤ
Caerphilly Castle is my favourite castle to visit as it's the second-largest castle in Britain. However, Cardiff Castle is better preserved and sits in the middle of the capital city which makes it unique. In any case, they are just 8 miles (13km) apart so you could visit both in the same trip if you really love castles.
Is There a Cafe at Cardiff Castle?ㅤ
Yes, Cardiff Castle has a cafe located in the Castle's Public Square. You don't need to buy an entrance ticket to visit the cafe.
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Published: 24 June 2022 · Last updated: 8 October 2023