South Wales Castles

Newport's vaulted ceiling

If you love Castles, then South East Wales is the place to come.  Some were created to oppress the Welsh hordes who were terrorising the people across the border, but others were created by the Welsh.   All were built to show power and authority.

A fantastic website exists that lists castles with photographs and text.   See my link http://www.castlewales.com/

Go to the "Castle Index" on the top line of the web page and type in any of the following:



Caerphilly's leaning tower

Caldicot

Raglan

White

Abergavenny

Usk

Newport

Cardiff

Cyfarthfa

Caerphilly

Chepstow

Llanhilleth, Castell Tailorem

These are not in any order of preference but are all within a short drive from my home.   Castles range from Norman ruins to 18th Century reproductions (Cyfarthfa).   Caerphilly's fractured tower leans further than the Italian Tower of Pisa.

Situated in the city centre, Cardiff boasts William Burgess' fantastic Gothic decoration with gold leaf and gargoyles alongside the original Motte & Bailey shown on the above website, as well as the remains of the surrounding Roman wall.   Well worth a visit, but unlike the publicly owned museums, there is an entrance charge.   You can see Burgess' series of animal sculptures appearing to climb over the boundary wall for free and get some shopping done at the same time.



Extravagant Gold leaf at Cardiff Castle