Castles in Wales
With over 640 Castles in Wales, we are the undisputed “Castle Capital of the World”, and have more Castle per square mile than any other country in the world. With a good number of Abbeys, Priory’s and Cathedrals spread around the country, if you are looking for somewhere with a lot of Medieval Architecture, Wales is the place to be. These are some of the best Castles in each region of Wales
These are some of the best Castles in South Wales
- Cardiff Castle
In the heart of the Welsh Capital, and built on the remains of a 2000 year old Roman Fort. One of the best Castles in Wales - Chepstow Castle
The oldest Stone Castle in the UK, which has the oldest still operational doors in Europe - Raglan Castle
A unique and pretty Castle, also one of the best Castles in Wales - Castell Coch
Fairytale Castle nestled in the hills to the north of Cardiff, overlooking the city - Caerphilly Castle
The largest Castle in Wales, and 2nd largest in the UK - Castell Dryslwyn
Native Castle built by Lord Rhys, perched on the top of a hill on the banks of The River Towy with beautiful views across the valley - Kidwelly Castle
Minor Castle in Wales, but used as a filming location for “Monty Python and The Holy Grail”
3
Some the best Abbeys and Cathedrals in the region
3
- Tintern Abbey
Romantic Ruins of 13th Century Abbey, considered to be a masterpiece of Gothic Architecture, and arguably the best Abbey in Wales - Impressive Ruins of a large Abbey near Swansea
Some of the best Castles in North Wales, along with some Abbeys and Cathedrals worth visiting
3
- Conwy Castle
Sitting on the banks of the River Conwy, the castle dominates the small town of Conwy, and you can walk almost the entire length of the Town Walls from the Castle to the Quay Side - Caernarfon Castle
One of Wales’ most complete and impressive Castles. We rate Caernarfon as one Top 3 Castles in Wales, alongside Harlech Castle, also in North Wales, and Cardiff Castle in South Wales - Harlech Castle
An impressive Castle, that was once on the coast, but due to shifting coast lines, is now around a mile inshore. Owain Glyndwr had his last stand here during his Rebellion in the 15th Century, and the Royalist in Wales made their last stand against the Parliamentarians in the 17th Century. A small, but impressive Castle, and also makes our Top 3 Castles in Wales - Beaumaris Castle
On Anglesey, it was intended to join Conwy, Caernarfon and Harlech Castle as a “Ring of Steel” around Gwynedd, but it was never completed - Castell y Bere
Ruins of a native Welsh Castle built by Prince Llewelyn in the early 13th Century to protect the southern border of Gwynedd against neighbouring Ceredigion. Little remains of the castle in its remote location in Eyri - A small native Welsh Castle in Llanberis with commanding views of Lyn Padarn, Llyn Peris and Dinorwic Quarry
- Bangor Cathedral
One of the oldest Cathedrals in Wales - Valle Crucis Abbey
Romantic Ruins of a 13th Century Abbey
North Wales Castles
Some of the best Castles in West Wales, along with some other noteworthy historical ruins
3.
- Pembroke Castle
Birth Place of King Henry VII - Carew Castle & Tidal Mill
13th Century Castle and 19th Century Tidal Mill - Castell Dryslwyn
13th Century Native Welsh Castle overlooking River Towy - Llawhaden Castle
Picturesque 13th Century Castle that was unusually built by Bishops instead of a Lord, Prince or King - St David’s Cathedral
Largest Cathedral in Wales - Lamphney Bishops Palace
Ruins of the palatial summer getaway for the Bishop of St David’s - St Govans Chapel
6th Century Chapel Carved into the cliffs overlooking the sea
Castles in West Wales
Some of the Castles in Mid Wales, and other important historical buildings in the region
3
- Powis Castle
Impressive 13th Century Castle, also impressive 16th Century Gardens - 12th Century Castle and 15th Century medieval court in the heart of Bannau Brycheiniog
- Aberystwyth Castle
Ruins of a Norman Castle on the West Wales coast built to defend against Irish Invasion. Largely destroyed by war, and weather - Cardigan Castle
13th Century Native Welsh Castle built on the banks of the River Teifi - Strata Florida
One of Early Medieval Wales’ most important Abbeys and burial place of a number of Welsh Princes - Romantic Ruins of the small and remote priory regarded as one of Wales’ greatest Medieval Buildings
castles in Mid Wales