Castell Coch is a fairytale castle tucked away in the spellbinding woodland of Fforest Fawr. With its distinctive red walls, soaring turrets, and picturesque setting amidst lush woodland, Castell Coch sits among South Wales’ finest castles.
I recently stopped by the castle for myself and, in this guide, I’ll share some essential visitor information and explain exactly what to expect when visiting Castell Coch.
A Brief Background of Castell Coch
Castell Coch, which literally translates as the 'Red Castle,' is a breathtaking architectural gem nestled amidst the ancient beech woods of Fforest Fawr.
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.
By the 14th century, it was in ruins and remained like that until the 19th century it fell into the hands of the wealthy third Marquess of Bute.
He tasked his architect, William Burges, with its revival which now resembles something straight out of a fairy tale.
The interior is a dazzling display of grandeur, featuring intricate decorations and lavish furnishings. If you have visited Cardiff Castle, which was influenced by the same architect, you’ll see many similarities.
Is Castell Coch Worth Visiting?
Yes, Castell Coch is worth visiting because it offers a different experience to other castles you may have visited in Wales. It has visually stunning architecture, clearly influenced by castles from France, which is why it’s known as the fairytale castle.
My favourite part was the included audio tour which really brought the castle to life. It gives you a thorough understanding of each room and the extravagant designs created by architect William Burges.
The castle is surrounded by beautiful woodlands, so I recommend combining a visit to the castle with some of the Fforest Fawr walks.
How Long Does it Take To Visit Castell Coch?
We spent 1 hour at Castell Coch which allowed us to see every room but did not include a stop in the castle cafe. We then spent another 1½ hours walking around Fforest Fawr.
View across Fforest Fawr from Castell Coch
Things To Do at Castell Coch
1. Wander the Castle's Extravagant Interior
Step into a world of opulence as you explore the extravagant interior of Castell Coch. Admire the intricate details and rich furnishings that make this castle a true masterpiece of the High Victorian era.
Marvel at the beautifully decorated rooms, from the grand hall to the drawing-room, and the bedrooms of the Butes, each offering a glimpse into the past.
Don't miss the stunning stained glass windows in the old church right at the top of the fortress and the trip down to the cellar to learn about the castle’s brief foray into making wine.
2. Learn about the Castle's History Using the Free Audio Tour
When you arrive at the castle, you’ll have the choice of taking a map or an audio guide. I would absolutely recommend that you choose the audio guide as it’s free. You don’t need earphones to use it, but I would recommend having some to hand if possible as it makes hearing it a little easier than the small built-in speaker.
On the audio tour, you’ll discover the stories behind the castle's construction, its medieval origins, and the influential figures who once inhabited its halls. The audio tour provides valuable insights into the castle's architecture and the vision of its architect, William Burges, pointing out things that I would have easily missed without the guide.
3. See 3D Models of the Castle
You can gain a better understanding of the structure of the castle thanks to several 3D models of the castle in a room on the ground floor.
4. Keep Children Amused With the Interactive Games
Castell Coch is great for older children who can listen to the intriguing audio guide which will guide them around the house and keep them attentive. There are also interactive elements around the castle as you wander.
For younger children, a room on the ground floor has fun games they can play including a block version of the castle they can build (as fantastically modelled by my 30-year-old girlfriend below).
However, as mentioned earlier, the rest of the castle is not pram friendly.
5. Have a Drink and Bite to Eat in the Cafe
Take a break from your castle exploration and indulge in a refreshing drink and delicious cakes at the on-site cafe. On the ground floor of the castle, the cafe offers a charming setting to relax and rejuvenate.
Treat yourself to a cup of freshly brewed tea or coffee, accompanied by a selection of delectable cakes, including Welsh classics such as Welsh Cakes and Bara Brith.
6. Explore the Surrounding Forest along One of the Woodland Trails:
Castell Coch is situated within Fforest Fawr, a huge forest boasting several picturesque woodland trails.
Some of the trails begin in the Castell Coch car park and others in the Fforest Fawr car park on the other side of the forest. The Fforest Fawr car park is also free of charge.
Here is a breakdown of them:
- The Sculpture Discovery Trail – An easy family-friendly walk with wooden sculptures to spot along the route (see photo above) which takes around 1 hour. This trail begins in the Fforest Fawr car park.
ㅤ - The Three Bears Cave Walk – Another short, east trail which takes you past the famous ‘Three Bears Cave’ (see image below). You can no longer go in the caves as they are fenced off due to safety reasons. This walk takes around 1hr15. This trail can be started from either car park as it connects the two.
ㅤ - Sir Henry’s Trail – Take this trail if you want a longer walk around the forest, lasting around 2 hours. This trail can be started from either car park as it connects the two.
ㅤ - Burges’ Way – This trail takes you around the western end of Fforest Fawr. This trail begins in the Castell Coch car park.
Some of the trails at Fforest Fawr are described as ‘moderate’ but I would say that in reality, they are all fairly easy.
Visiting Castell Coch
Entry Fees
| CADW Members | Free |
| Adult | £8.70 |
| Juniors (5-17) and Students | £6.10 |
| Senior Citizens (65+) | £8.10 |
| Family (2 adults and 3 children) | £28.20 |
Under 5s and disabled people (and their companion) can also visit for free.
If you are planning to visit multiple CADW sites, ask about their 3-day or 5-day CADW Explorer Pass to save money.
Is Castell Coch National Trust? No, Castell Coch is not National Trust, it’s managed by CADW which is the Welsh equivalent to English Heritage.
Opening Hours
Castell Coch’s opening hours vary by season:
| March – June | 9.30am – 5pm |
| July – August | 9.30am – 6pm |
| September – October | 9.30am – 5pm |
| November - February | 10am – 4pm |
Last entry is 30 minutes before closing time.
How To Get To Castell Coch
By Car: The easiest way to get to Castell Coch is by car. Head along the M4 and leave at junction 32 towards Tongwynlais on the A470. From here, Castell Coch is clearly signposted. It takes around 12 minutes from Caerphilly and 20 minutes from Cardiff by car.
Is There Parking at Castell Coch?
Yes, there is a large free car park right outside the castle. There are accessible parking bays at the top of the car park near the castle. Castell Coch car park closes 30 minutes after the castle closes. If you are planning to visit Fforest Fawr after the castle, keep this in mind.
Here are the details for the car park:
- Postcode: CF15 7JS
- What3Words: ///relate.baking.hoot
- Google Maps Pin: See here
By Public Transport: The best way to visit Castell Coch using public transport is by bus. Route 26 has hourly services direct from Cardiff to Caerphilly, stopping at Tongwynlais where Castell Coch is located. Get off at Bute Street and the castle is a 15-minute walk from here. However, keep in mind that the walk involves a hill up to the castle.
The nearest train station is called Taff’s Well with direct trains from Cardiff Central. However, this is a 30-minute walk from the castle and still includes the hill.
Common Questions
Is Castell Coch Dog-Friendly?
No, dogs are not allowed inside Castell Coch (except for assistance dogs). However, they are still welcome around the grounds of Fforest Fawr.
Is There a Café at Castell Coch?
Yes, there is a newly renovated café at Castell Coch. You can visit the café without entering the castle itself. They serve hot and cold drinks, cakes, and other snacks. If you want something more substantial, there are sandwiches, although there are no hot meals.
Is Castell Coch Suitable for Prams or Wheelchairs?
No, Castell Coch is not suitable for prams or wheelchairs because most of the main rooms you can explore are only accessible via steps. There is a parking area for prams.
Events at Castell Coch
CADW run occasional events at Castell Coch such as scavenger hunts and expeditions.
The events are usually free but you will still need to purchase an admission ticket.
To guarantee a slot, it is recommended that you purchase admission tickets in advance (even if you are purchasing a free ticket as a member) as the castle can get busy on event days.
Find out about upcoming events here.
Other Things To Do Near Castell Coch
Discover Cardiff Castle – If you enjoyed Castell Coch, then you’ll also love Cardiff Castle as it was worked on by the same architect so it has similar lavish interiors and extravagant design features. However, it’s different in that there are more original features such as the Norman Keep and the castle walls.
Visit Caerphilly – The town of Caerphilly is one of my favourite places to visit in South Wales. Yet again, you’ll find another impressive castle at the centre of the town, but there are plenty more things to do in Caerphilly including Caerphilly Mountain (which is actually a hill) and the Gruffalo Trail.
Published: 5 June 2023 · Last updated: 8 October 2023