Located at the southern end of the Rhymney Valley, Caerphilly is one of my must-visit destinations in South Wales. Steeped in history, Caerphilly Castle stands as a magnificent centrepiece, but beyond this, there are plenty of other iconic landmarks and fun family-friendly activities to keep you entertained.
I recently visited the town for myself and, in this guide, I’ll share my favourite things to do in Caerphilly and the surrounding areas to help you plan your own itinerary.
Where To Stay in Caerphilly
New House Country Hotel (££) - An elegant 4-star country house hotel with stunning views across the Vale of Glamorgan. Although about a 10 minute drive from Caerphilly.
Y Fan (££) - A beautifully restored Tudor Mansion with period features that's now a family-run B&B. About 20 minutes walk from Caerphilly town centre.
View more hotels and holiday cottages in Caerphilly
1. See the biggest castle in Wales, Caerphilly Castle
Of course, I have to begin the list with Caerphilly's number one attraction which sits right at the heart of the town, Caerphilly Castle. It's the largest castle in Wales and the second largest in the UK, after Windsor Castle.
The impressive fortress dominates the town. History lovers and castle enthusiasts are going to want to purchase a ticket and head inside where you'll be able to explore the ruins, walk along the castle walls, and come face-to-face with the siege weapons.
It is one of the more expensive castles to visit in Wales so it's understandable if you don't want to purchase a ticket, especially if travelling with a big family. Well, don't worry, because the best views are from the outside. So a great alternative is to walk around the castle and lake. The walk is 1.6km (1 mile) and takes around 20 minutes.
See if you can spot the leaning tower (it's not hard) which is famed for having a steeper lean than Pisa's own leaning tower.
Find out more in my full guide to visiting Caerphilly Castle.
2. Walk to the top of Caerphilly Mountain (not an actual mountain)
Climbing a mountain might sound like a challenging activity, but Caerphilly Mountain is actually a hill and you can drive almost to the top, so it makes a great family-friendly activity to do in Caerphilly.
I parked at Caerphilly Mountain Snack Bar where there is free parking for around 50 or so cars. This might sound like a lot but it's a popular spot and can get busy during peak season.
From here, cross the road and it's an easy 10-minute walk across Caerphilly Common to the summit where you'll be rewarded with panoramic views across the countryside. There's even a handy bench at the top if you need a rest.
Of course, when you come back down, you can enjoy a bite to eat from the snack bar which has both indoor and outdoor seating areas. The prices are very reasonable with the burgers starting from around £3.50.
3. Take a self-guided tour of the town
There is no in-person guided tour of Caerphilly, but there’s so much to see and learn that the next best thing is to take a self-guided tour of the town.
By downloading the VoiceMap app, you can access the tour which is led by local Suzie. Beginning at the tourist information centre in the middle of town, you’ll be guided around the town and learn about all of its landmarks including the Tommy Cooper statue, the courthouse, the Welsh National Anthem statue, and of course, the castle.
You’ll also delve into the history of the Caerphilly and the surrounding area. The tour covers 21 stops and takes around 40 minutes to complete. Download the app on Apple or Android.
4. Taste Caerphilly Cheese at Coffi Vista
After the castle, Caerphilly is most famous for its iconic cheese which is one of the oldest recorded cheeses in Wales, with a history dating back to the 19th century.
Caerphilly cheese has a fresh buttery flavour with slightly sour lemony notes. One of its distinguishing characteristics is its crumbly texture, it’s easy to spot.
The cheese quickly gained popularity among local miners due to its durable nature and long shelf life but went on to receive international recognition.
The best place to try some Caerphilly Cheese in the town is at Coffi Vista, opposite the castle. Here, you can try a Caerphilly Cheese sandwich or purchase an entire block to take home.
5. Visit a Tudor manor house at Llancaiach Fawr
Llancaiach Fawr is a semi-fortified Tudor manor house found about 17 minutes outside of Caerphilly by car. The property was the family home of the Prichard family, with the most famous past resident being Colonel Edward Prichard who hosted a visit by King Charles I of England in 1645.
It is unique in that it is semi-fortified, built with defensive features that could allow it to withstand attack. The property remains well-preserved and has been restored to how it would have looked during its heyday.
You can visit the house and take a 90-minute guided tour which is led by a costumed servant of Colonel Prichard. You don't need to book ahead, although I advise that you get there before 3.30pm to ensure you get on a tour. Occasionally, tours will be full due to school visits so check their Facebook page before visiting to be sure.
While you are waiting for another tour to begin, there is a café, gift shop, exhibition and gardens to keep you busy.
6. Meet the Gruffalo at Mountain View Ranch
Mountain View Ranch is a huge adventure playground and visitor farm on Caerphilly Mountain. It's got plenty of fun activities to keep kids (both big and small) entertained.
Kids are free to enjoy the adventure playground, explore an Indian village, climb the high ropes, have a go at building their own den and make friends with goats, rabbits, guinea pigs and ponies.
One of the highlights of the ranch is the Gruffalo trail for those familiar with the best-selling book by Julia Donaldson. Along with their own Gruffalo guide, kids can immerse themselves in the story and meet other characters along the way.
Adults and older children or teens may enjoy a round of golf here with a 9-hole pay and play the course. The course is suitable for most abilities but is not for complete beginners.
7. Pet animals at The Meadows Farm Village
Found just outside Caerphilly, The Meadows Farm Village is an interactive animal experience that’s open to the public. They have the typical animals you’d find on a Welsh farm such as horses, cows, sheep, micro pigs, and pygmy goats but also a range of more uncommon animals including alpacas, meerkats, wallabies, reindeer, and emu.
Although booking online isn’t essential, I recommend you do as you’ll get a cheaper price than buying your ticket at the ticket office.
Once you have entered, you are free to roam among the animal pens at whatever pace you like. The animals are very tame and you are allowed to pet most of them and hold some of the smaller ones such as rabbits and guinea pigs.
If you want to spend more time with specific animals, they have several experiences you can book that typically last for an hour including a donkey walk, alpaca cuddles, and a meerkat experience. However, these are only available on weekends and school holidays.
8. See Sultan the Pit Pony at Parc Penallta
If you want a great place to visit with dogs or children, Parc Penallta is a vast country park just 15 minutes north of Caerphilly by car. The park is owned by the local council and free to visit, although you'll need to pay for parking which starts at £1 for two hours.
Penallta is best known for Sultan the Pit Pony, a figurative earth sculpture built out of coal shale from the local mines, that's one of the largest in the UK
There's plenty more to the park than Sultan including the panoramic views from High Point Observatory, the wildflowers and insects at Penallta Marsh wildlife area, and several great walking trails.
9. Solve clues around Caerphilly with Treasure Trails
My next recommended activity in Caerphilly involves becoming a spy for the day with the help of Treasure Trails. You can purchase and download their booklet and head out to explore the town while solving clues along the way.
The trail takes you on a circular walk around Caerphilly’s landmarks which should last two hours. If you get stuck along the way, simply text them for a clue.
The booklet is suitable for children aged 6+, but I’ve heard countless stories of adults enjoying them too. Plus, if you solve all of the clues, you can submit the answer to Treasure Trails for the chance to win a prize.
10. Support local artists at Y Galeri
For the art and craft lover, Y Galeri in Caerphilly is like an Aladdin’s cave full of beautiful artwork all made here in Wales. The gallery is run by Karen Evans, a textile artist who creates textile paintings and other gifts from recycled materials.
As well as her own work, Karen also exhibits other talented local artists with the general theme of Wales and the Welsh language throughout the gallery.
It's totally free to enter Y Galleri so you've no reason not to visit, and if something takes your eye, everything in the gallery is available to purchase at very affordable prices.
11. Enjoy a slice of history and a slice of cake at the Winding House
Laren about the local history of Caerphilly this former colliery and museum which features entertaining exhibitions on everything from the Romans to the coal mining.
The highlight of the Winding House museum is a Victorian winding machine which would have been used to make textiles such as cotton. You can see this running at midday on the last Saturday of every month, excluding December.
The museum is completely free and staffed by knowledgable volunteers who will make the exhibits come to life with hands-on activities and some even have their own stories from the area growing up.
Also at the museum is a great tea room offering a range of teas, coffees, and traditional baked goods such as cakes, these are a must before you leave. Spending a little money here or in the gift shop is what keeps this free attraction open, so you can feel good as you indulge your tastebuds!
12. Learn about the Senghennydd disaster at Aber Valley Heritage Museum
Discover local heritage for free at the Aber Valley Heritage Museum in the small town of Senghenydd just outside Caerphilly!
The museum tells the story of the local area and its people through a collection of artefacts, documents, and photographs.
A major theme at the museum is the biggest mining catastrophe in British history which happened at the Universal Colliery in Senghenydd (where the museum is based) in 1913.
It also documents the Valley's broader history, including the Windsor Colliery, residents' sporting accomplishments, old shops and buildings, memories of community events, and the community's involvement in World Wars.
Published: 1 July 2022 · Last updated: 4 July 2023