Cardiff Castle, South Wales

 

Tunnel inside the castle perimeter wall

Although Cardiff Castle has parts which date back to the Romans, it must thank the Marquis of Bute and the 19th century architect and designer William Burgess for its sumptuous interiors.  The Bute family's riches were derived from the coal and iron industry and Cardiff port, and the current Marquis lives on the Isle of Bute in Scotland.  

Sections of the outer wall have the remains of the early Roman structure highlighted.   These areas are easily visible from the road outside the castle, althought the moat has now been grassed over.
 
Visitors can walk through an 'invisible' tunnel built into the castle perimeter wall.  It has windows out onto the Cardiff city shoppers.  During WWII it was used as a bomb shelter.  Inside the castle grounds it is covered by an earth bank, making it invisible to those unaware of its existence.

The castle has many interesting aspects, including the motte and bailey which the energetic can scale by a flight of stairs.


Demon above doorway to scare servants from eavesdropping


The servants' quarters, although not on the general tour, have a magnificent vaulted ceiling.  A fantastic room for ghost stories or just absorbing the atmosphere.

The bare stonework, however, contrasts with the lavish decorations applied upstairs to their master's quarters.

 

 

 

The castle is well worth a visit, but situated in the centre of Cardiff it has no parking facilities for visitors, and as it is still owned by the current Marquis of Bute, unlike other museums in the area, there is an entry charge.   Guided tours of the house take place regularly, and there is a tea-room and grounds to enjoy during the summer months.

 

http://www.cardiffcastle.com/

 

 

Ynysfach Iron works, Dowlais Engine House, Merthyr

Ynysfach Engine House, Dowlaid, Merthyr

Copyright of:  http://www.mtht.co.uk/Ynysfachopening.html

Ynysfach Ironworks, Merthyr Tydfil was built by Thomas Jones of Merthyr Tydfil.   Watkin George designed the building and it was built for Richard Crawshay in 1801.

These furnaces were the second in Merthyr Tydfil to have steam-powered air blast machinery, giving the works an advantage over the nearby Cyfarthfa Ironworks, which depended on water power.

Two more blast furnaces and a new southern, engine house were built in 1830 when the northern engine house was rebuilt.

Reconditioning took place in 1884, after closure in 1873.   The Ynysfach furnaces were  then held in reserve, following Cyfarthfa’s conversion to steel.

The southern engine house was demolished some time after 1905 and one chimney stack (belonging to the northern boiler house) was demolished in 1949.



It is now the home of Pant and Dowlais Boys and Girls Club, reknowned for its work with the youth of the area.  Check out the dowlais engine house website below for details of current events.  Some  are designed for adults too, and volunteers are always wanted.


http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Ynysfach_Ironworks

http://www.dowlaisenginehouse.co.uk/

http://www.ggat.org.uk/news/archive/merthyr_college/news.html