Caerphilly Castle

Caerphilly is the largest and best example of a concentric castle in Europe, with outer walls, and lake land defences surrounding the central rectangular ward and Caerphilly Castle’s famed leaning tower.

‘Giant Caerffili’, as it was once described by one awestruck Welshman, is a colossal castle. Though it is comparable in size and design with those built by King Edward I in North Wales , Caerphilly was built not by a king but by a wealthy magnate, the Marcher lord of Glamorgan, Earl of Gloucester and Hertford ‘Red Gilbert’ de Clare.

Guarded by outer walls, surrounded by a lake and approached across three draw bridges, four gates and portcullises, Caerphilly was a pretty formidable fortress. It was to withstand a succession of raids by de Clare’s Welsh rival, Llywelyn Bren and played an important role in the battles to depose King Edward II by his Queen and her lover when Caerphilly was controlled by Edward’s ally, the hated Hugh le Dispenser.

Though it held firm against all forces sent against it Caerphilly Castle was to fall into decline as early as the end of the 14th Century, a victim of the elements. The prominent leaning tower, for example, was caused by subsidence.

In 1776 the castle was acquired by the first Marquis of Bute, a century later the third Marquis, the illustrious owner of Castell Coch and Cardiff Castle , set about restoring the castle, replacing the roof of the great hall. Restoration was continued by his son the fourth Marquis of Bute, but the castle was never taken up as a residence, instead becoming the splendid attraction that can be seen and wandered around today.


This attraction is included in the Great British Heritage Pass.