A must-see if you are in Cardiff. There is so much history inside these castle walls and it conveniently located adjacent to the city center. You can opt to go on guided-tours or wander at your leisure. I was there on a rainy day and there were very few visitors, so I really felt like I went back in time. The WWII museum was pretty intense; it might have been the dark, rainy weather or the creepy background music or the dim lights, but I could literally feel the anxiety of those that had been seeking shelter in those tunnels. While the grounds and first floor of the house are wheelchair accessible, the rest of the grounds are not. I was recovering from a broken leg, and I had to take a few steps to do the tunnel tour and I was unable to ascend the MANY stairs that lead up to the fortress at the top of the hill. The visitor center houses ruins of the original Roman wall that dates back to the 1st centaury AD, a gift shop, and a café. The experience is 100% worth the entry fee and I highly recommend if you are visiting Cardiff. read more

Cardiff Castle - Castles Near Me - Cardiff, CRF

Wrong hours advertised. Arrived at 4:10pm on a tuesday. Websites say 6pm. Waste of time for travelers . Cannot recommend . read more

Another beautiful piece of history in Wales. The only downside was the construction going around the whole park. There was the main castle for viewing. The first two floors were open for observation. There was also a side staircase that led to an observation deck. The courtyard had some lovely medieval relics and building. They offer a tour if you want as well. There is also a statue of the dragon as well, which was really cool too! read more

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What a beautiful place and we did a guided tour through the house that was amazing! The tour guide was a young man probably in his 20's and had incredible knowledge! I would highly recommend a guided tour! The rooms are decorated in Victorian style and was owned by some of the richest men in the world. The family still owns it and have some roots in the country. read more

Absolutely worth the trip to Cardiff to see this gem. Arrived at opening time on a beautiful Saturday morning (9 am) and there was almost no one else there. I can't overstate how magical the experience was of having the entire castle and the castle keep virtually all to myself. I got to spend plenty of time admiring the lavish rooms without another soul in sight aside from the occasional staff member on duty, which practically made me feel liked I owned the place lol. This sentiment was amplified further when I climbed to the top of the keep, again completely solo, and let my imagination run uninterrupted as I gazed at the Welsh landscapes and ancient construction from the top battlement. I only came back to reality when I spied the increasing numbers of people coming in through the front gate in the distance, and felt very fortunate to have arrived early. Later, I enjoyed the WW2 bunker experience and checking out the Roman wall remnant. The only minor complaint I have is that during my visit, much of the grounds were occupied by a crew who seemed to be erecting signs and setting up supplies for an upcoming running event. This distracted from the historical immersion for me, and got in the way of some photo opps, but is not something that most visitors will encounter. read more

We happened to come to Cardiff the day of a marathon so parking was definitely a little tricky but the castle itself was beautiful and fun to walk through. We went on a guided tour of the castle which was incredibly informative and our guide did really well to point out the many details and features of each room, explaining why some rooms were painted or decorated in certain ways as well. It was a unique castle, different than ones I have seen before in terms of the decorations. The castle wasn't overly crowded despite the marathon. Each room had plenty of space to view and roam. The castle grounds would have been really nice to sit down and enjoy had it not been raining. The admission also included a war museum in the reception hall which was quite extensive and really an interesting way to look at history for an Americans eyes. I'd highly reccomend stopping by and checking this castle out the next time you find yourself passing by! read more

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There is so much to see and do here. When purchasing our tickets, we opted to include the guided house tour. It was worth it. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the various rooms he took us to. It was a small group (only us and another couple) so it didn't feel cramped. The climb up the steps of the Norman Keep was worth it for the view. By the gift shop, there is a set of stairs that take you down to the Welsh military museum. It was a nice way to spend a couple hours wandering the grounds. read more

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Cardiff Castle was worth a visit while traveling through the UK. The architecture inside and out were outstanding. My wife and I had a great time walking between the walls and finding little photo opportunities. We showed up during the Pilipino Independence Day and there were dancers and performances going on throughout the castle grounds. read more

Cardiff Castle - Castles Near Me - Cardiff, CRF

We were so excited to visit Cardiff Castle (thinking it might be a little like Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Alnwick Castle), but... it wasn't. I can only assume we went on an off day. We bought tickets which allowed us to explore the Castle at our own pace. When we asked about joining a tour (which supposedly happen every hour on the hour), the ticket folks seemed confused. When we inquired about any sort of audio guide (apparently there's a free app you can download, or borrow a guide for £2), the ticket folks seemed confused. When we went to cross the lawn to enter the castle apartments, we asked the only employee we saw if they wanted to check our tickets, and they seemed confused. It all felt very amateur, I guess. We wandered around the rooms (the library probably being our favorite; so many books and details on the walls and in the decor), took a stroll on The Battlement Walk, explored the Wartime Shelters (where people could shelter within the walls during the Second World War) which - admittedly - was much more immersive than we realize it would be (the air raid sounds are intense!), and finally up the fifty steep stone stairs to The Norman Keep which - after even more narrow stairs straight upward - offered decent views of the city. The whole thing took us maybe two hours (and most of that was just sitting outside on the grass in The Public Square [which is free to enter] because it was such a beautiful day - I think they sometimes have tables and chairs here, but there weren't any when we came). I think this is probably a fantastic venue, I see they do concerts (with big names) in the summer. If I lived in the area, that would probably bring me back! But mostly we left here not feeling as connected as we have to other historical sites. read more

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Well worth a visit if you're visiting Cardiff Wales. We really enjoyed the tunnel portion the most. read more

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There are almost too many microcosms within this castle to name them all; I'd be here all day! I will stick to the most remarkable parts; I'm long-winded enough as it is! The World War II museum in the basement is comprehensive and fascinating, crammed with maps, dioramas, weapons, uniforms, photos, videos and much more. The walk through the *inside* of the outer rampart walls (used as air raid shelters during the Blitz) is memorable for both its dim, claustrophobic atmosphere and its expansive length. The guided tour is absolutely worth the price, but it is equally enjoyable to discover all the little nooks and secrets yourself. The list of attractions continues: the Arab room, the bell tower, the Roman walls, falconry and jousting demonstrations (keep an eye on the event calendar), and probably a dozen other things I am forgetting. Any tourist or historian paasing through Cardiff would be doing themselves a disservice by missing an opportunity to visit this splendid castle. read more

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Just absolutely astounding. Even crazier that is is literally in the middle of a city. I imagine getting directions as, "Ok go down this street, then make a right AT THE CASTLE. Beautiful scenery and amazing history. There are several tours available, but our group was on a tight schedule so we opted for a solo walk through. After exiting the ticket shop, which is also the gift shop, we heeded left to go through the castle walls. We then proceeded to the keep, then into the house/palace. The Keep has a few levels and rooms which are neat to see. Stairs are steep! I found the palace to be exquisite. Just the painstaking detail in all of the handiwork is unbelievable. There are helpful cards/signs, at key stops throughout which give you some good background info about things like the library or the study. *When you're done, don't miss The Firing Line. It's under the gift shop, and you take the stairs down and to the right. It's complimentary with the castle ticket. Really neat walk through about Welsh military history. Easy to miss, I don't think any of us knew about it but I went down the stairs and saw it. Very windy through the grounds but especially at the Keep. Also, some of the stairs are a bit narrow and/or steep, be careful - especially heading down from the top of the Keep. read more

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love the nature surrounding the castle and the vast landscape and view it provides. would definitely recommend and have a stroll around! read more

Cardiff Castle - walking area - Castles Near Me - Cardiff, CRF

Cardiff Castle wasn't the first castle that I saw on my trip, but I would have to say it was my favorite. The castle and motte were built in the late 11th century by Norman invaders on top of a 3rd-century Roman fort. Those structures are definitely medieval and I just could not take enough photos of the "Keep" on top of the hill. The history surrounding the castle is very interesting, so "Google" it if you have time. The Victorian Gothic revival mansion was renovated by the Marguesses of Bute. In 1947, John, the fifth Marquess, inherited the castle on the death of his father. He sold the land the Bute's owned and gave the castle and the surrounding park to the city. It is now a "Listed Building" which is a building that has been placed on the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. My family and I, along with our tour group, got a private tour on August 9, 2013 through the various structures, including the mansion. I was really impressed with the tour because our guide invited us to sit down at the table in "The Great Hall" and a couple other places in the mansion. It wasn't one of those tours that you feel like you can't touch anything and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. If you have to chance to visit Wales I would highly recommend visiting this castle. read more

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Anyone who visits Cardiff will likely be tempted to stop in at Cardiff Castle - it's one of the most distinct landmarks in the city. And it's definitely worth a visit in my opinion. I easily spent several hours exploring this place with a family member, and we only left when we did because the Castle was closing for the evening. Cardiff Castle is incredible piece of history that's survived both Roman and Norman rule in Wales. Well, kind of survived. Cardiff Castle as we know it today isn't just what remains of a medieval castle - it's also a Victorian Gothic revival mansion. The reason for this is that the original fort that was built in this spot has been rebuilt and retouched multiple times over many decades - well, over centuries, actually. The complicated history of the castle's ownership alone can fill a substantial amount of any visit here; there's even a timeline in the main castle visitor center that takes up two full room walls. Not big on reading about dates and names through history? Don't worry - you'll likely enjoy exploring the castle's grounds. Of course, you'll want to climb to the castle keep. Let's be honest, this is what most people will want to do. And it's interesting. It takes a decent bit of work, because wow those stairs. But it gives you some perspective as you try to imagine the keep "back in the day." It's so tiny - and this is a place that housed primitive little homes and little rooms that people lived in! You'll also be able to walk along and inside the castle's walls. And you'll definitely want to take the time to explore the interiors of the walls, because they're home to another piece of history: WWII shelters. I'm stealing this quote from Cardiff Castle's own website: "Research has revealed there were dormitories with bunks, kitchens, toilets and first aid posts concealed within the walls" of Cardiff Castle. Today the walkways and rooms are mostly empty, allowing for visitors to walk through - but between the pictures of people cramming into these small spaces, the historic posters that would have been hanging during that era now hanging in the tunnels, and the very nature of the environment that is the interior of a cold stone castle, you'll likely be transported back into a much scarier time during this part of your visit. It's moving and humbling. Finally, as I mentioned earlier, the castle is also home to a mansion, so if you have time, you'll definitely want to explore the rooms within this part of the castle. The tours offered here are quite interesting - particularly the apartment tour that examines the part of castle known as the "fantasy palace". These rooms are filled with bright murals, wood cravings, stained glass...all created by one beloved artist. They're stunningly beautiful, too. You'd never guess just how beautiful these rooms are by looking at the stone exterior of the castle. All in all, Cardiff Castle was a delight to visit, and was full of surprises - from the WWII shelters, to the gorgeous apartments, to the pieces of original Roman walls carefully preserved within and throughout parts of the Castle itself. A final tip - take the time to 1) catch a guided tour or two, and 2) enjoy the pre-recorded audio tour the offer during your visit. These will ensure that you get the most out of your experience. read more

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Centrally located in town. Beautiful place. Friendly welcoming atmosphere. Beautiful. Simply put, just beautiful. read more

Cardiff Castle - Castles Near Me - Cardiff, CRF

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Castle on the hill.. During my time at Glasgow uni, my mum and I wanted to explore all of the UK, so one weekend we went down to Cardiff. Truly lovely city, people and culture. The castle is really the perfect personification of this. It's a lovely piece of architecture. At the time we went, the Champions league final was there, Real against Atleti I believe and crowd was a ruckus, great time, great city. Visit the castle if you have a chance, there's also loads of shops down the street. read more

This was quite an interesting site, and I would likely give it 4 stars if it had live guides for the entire site, but unfortunately, the majority of the castle grounds only have an audio guide. Definitely spend the extra money for the live guided tour of the House, as it's quite informative about the Castle and the Marquesses, and you can take the opportunity to ask any questions you might have about the rest of the castle and grounds, also. Admission fees were reasonable, and they have a nice little gift shop/café, and an interesting Museum of the Welsh Soldier in the building where tickets are sold. Staff was all very friendly. I'd love to see them add live guides for the entire castle and grounds! read more

Cardiff Castle - Castle at dusk... - Castles Near Me - Cardiff, CRF

A must-see if you're in Cardiff for the day. The audio guide was great, and included in the cost of admission. The grounds are so expansive and peaceful, even with groups of school children running about. The castle apartments are really beautiful, and I was also impressed with the artistry on the clock tower. My fear of heights was tested in walking up the somewhat rickety staircase that lead to the lookout tower on the castle itself, but the view was a fantastic pay-off. Lots to see, lots to hear and read about. Lovely on a clear day. read more

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It's amazing when you discover that someone who's lived in Cardiff for years has never been inside the castle, which spans 2,000 years of history. I have to admit that I had lived in the city for nearly a year before I saw the inside - yet it's one of Cardiff's most iconic landmarks, one of the first sights on most tourists' itineraries, and it creates a really beautiful city centre. It's been a Roman Garrison, a Norman stronghold, and in Victorian times was transformed by the Bute family into the gothic fantasy we see today. You need at least a few (3-4) hours to see the place properly, and it's definitely worth listening to the audio guide, and taking a guided tour of the Castle Apartments (45 minutes) in order to gain a deeper insight into its story. The fort offers some great views, there's a gift shop to buy souvenirs, and in the grounds you can spot dazzling peacocks wandering about! read more

Cardiff Castle - Cardiff Castle entrance - Castles Near Me - Cardiff, CRF

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And a Jousting Event... Want to take a trip back in time? As soon as you enter the castle's courtyard you can smell the smoke; burning and crackling away, as it rose higher and faster and fizzled away into nothing. A handsome man who is topless chops the logs for the fire, with an axe. The horses are dressed in checked colours on protective and performance clothing. The horse's masters ride on them in full armour; along with their jousting stick to catch the red, circled rings that are placed high on a long black rope; that is attached to a long red pole at the side of the jousting marked area. The performers canter their horses into action, up and down the green isles. They know how to put on a good show here! They get the crowd involved and set the audience into groups. In between the jousting battles, they fought in sword fighting battles for fun and mocked the losers. The days since I was a child visiting this Castle were never as much fun like these fabulous days out now! They certainly know how to entertain their audiences. £14 per adult - Jousting. read more

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The best part of my trip to Cardiff. The admission is reasonable for a historic property like this, especially if you get the discount by buying a Cardiff card. Included is an audio guide, which provides a great summary of the castle's history. There are also placards scattered around at key locations. The castle is a wonderful mix of stately home and medieval keep. The old keep gives you amazing views over the castle and surrounding area. The rooms in the part of the castle the Butes used as a summer residence are spectacular too, really cool quirky arcitecture. It helped that there was jousting going on the day I went. Top tip: watching from the top of the keep helps you beat the crowds. read more

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Staff was wonderful. The museum in the basement, I believe called the firing line, had hands on exhibits and knowledgeable staff. The castle has a lot of history and is worth visiting if in Cardiff. read more

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Had a great time.. We did not take the official tour, just looked around..and took lots of pictures..the climb to the top was rewarding read more

Cardiff Castle dominates the centre of the Welsh Capital, sitting at the end of the major shopping streets, and between the Millennium Stadium and the Civic Centre at Cathays Park. The Castle is quite hard to read in an historical sense, which is perhaps not surprising, given that what you see now is a thoroughly Victorian fantasy, built over a real Mediaeval castle, which itself was built over the site of a Roman fort. There may have been a Celtic settlement in Cardiff on the banks of the River Taff, but there is more substantive evidence that the Romans came to the area in the reign of the Emperor Nero (AD 54-68). They established a fort here, which was rebuilt around AD 75, and again - this time with 3m thick stone walls - around 250AD, possibly as a defence against sea-borne raids from pirates. It is these foundations which remain today, albeit thoroughly restored. It is unclear what happened to the fort during the Dark Ages, but the Normans began building here again in 1091, with a motte (mound) and bailey in the western half of the Roman fort. The Normans Keep was rebuilt in stone by Robert, Earl of Gloucester, son of Henry I, some time after 1122, and survives in its original form. Robert, Duke of Normandy, the eldest son of William the Conqueror and unsuccessful claimant to the English throne was imprisoned here for 8 years until his death in 1154. The Castle passed to the family of Gilbert de Clare in 1216, who erected a further defensive tower at the entrance called the 'Black Gate', linked to the keep by a defensive wall. After a spell in the ownership of the Despensers, the last period of building in the mediaeval period came in the 1400s, when Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, erected the Octagon tower and Hall block at the western end of the Castle. Ownership of the castle then passed through the Nevilles, Tudors and then to he Herberts, Barons of Cardiff and Earls of Pembroke. The Herberts held the castle from 1550 until 1766. During this time the castle was damaged in the Civil War, and repairs were undertaken by the fifth Earl, Philip, some time after 1650. It was the scene of more grisly goings-on during the life of the 7th Earl, Philip, (d. 1683) described in the Castle guide as a 'homicidal dipsomaniac'. He imprisoned two Catholic recusants, John Lloyd and Philip Evans, in the Black Tower, before they were hanged, drawn and quartered for high treason in 1679. Thereafter, with more peaceful times, the little town of Cardiff began to encroach on the castle, with houses built right up against the wall on what is now Castle Street. In the 18th century, the castle became the property of the Marquesses of Bute, and the 1st Marquess commissioned Henry Holland to enlarge the living quarters adjacent to the hall, in a more modern and genteel style. The next, and greatest phase of building began in 1868, when the 3rd Marquess commissioned William Burgess to completely refurbish the accommodation, building an extensive new wing, including the impressive clock tower, in the south west corner. The Roman walls were restored and raised to their present height, the encroaching houses swept away to provide a low, dry moat, and a a new library and banqueting hall were built on the site of the original hall. This reconstruction continued into the 20th century, and a new entrance hall was completed in 1927. The Castle was given to the City of Cardiff in 1947. Burgess's style was an elaborate form of Victorian mediaevalism, and the interiors are suitably sumptuous and brilliantly decorated, and are not for the faint hearted. Whether you view them as a brilliant example of Victorian fantasy, or the appalling result of having more money than taste, they certainly merit a look. Ideally, they are not to be taken too seriously! My favourite is the Banqueting Hall fireplace, built in the form of a castle, complete with a knight on horseback entering a gate. Other reviews have covered the present day facilities in some detail: whether you will enjoy the Burgess interiors, at £7.50 for a full tour, is a matter of money as well as taste, but for £3.75 you can enjoy the grounds, including the Norman Keep, the Tea Shop and the Welch Regimental Museum, housed within the Black and Barbican Towers. Entry to the Clock Tower is a separate £2. The grounds are the setting for various concerts, festivals and fireworks displays during the year, and various rooms can be hired for weddings and other functions (see website for details). Perhaps the best event to go and watch is a mediaeval jousting match! read more

Cardiff Castle is a wonderful structure that lies in the centre of Cardiff. It remains one of the most popular tourist attractions filled with extremely funny and delightful tour guides that make your day fun and memorable. I would recommend taking the full tour to enjoy everything and learn the history that Cardiff Castle has. I was lucky enough to get in for free as a friend of mine is a tour guide. It may sound like I am biased but he is clearly the best tour guide in the castle showing enthusiasm with everything he does. He is extremely knowledgeable about the history of the castle and you can show how much he cares about the castle and likes to express that with his confidence and funny attitude. His name is Chris, if you ever get the chance to be taken around the castle by him then you are very lucky! The entire area is such a beautiful landscape where you can capture some wonderful photographs of the structure of the castle. I went on an extremely hot and sunny day before and watched the red arrows from one of the towers within the grounds. I left that day with a smile on my face. Cardiff Castle is a wonderful place to learn the history of Wales. You will have a very memorable day and will one day want to visit again. read more

Cardiff Castle - Castles Near Me - Cardiff, CRF

The rugby ball is simply a great idea. Nevertheless, the admission price of £12 didn´t seem so funny - and so we had to do without visiting it. We preferred hamburgers instead. But from the outside - it´s like a castle of knights´ legends :) Ten nápad s ragbyovým míčem je prostě bezvadný :D Ovšem vstup za 12 liber už nám tak legrační nepřišel - takže jsme návštěvu oželeli a šli si dát naprosto přízemně raději hamburgery :D Pohled zvenčí ovšem jak z rytířských legend :) read more

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It is located just at the end of St Mary's street. Cardiff castle was the last tourist centre I went to during my visit to Cardiff. You can see its historic tower from distance away even before you get close to its magnificent gate. The stone walls, tower clock, colourful souvenir shop and the beautiful flowers adorning the front of the castle all add to the beauty of Cardiff castle. The souvenir shop was also the entrance to the castle, the price to enter the castle was about £7.50 per adult and £4.50 for child; there are discounts for students, groups and Senior citizens. This price included a light lunch and other little freebies. The castle itself was truly historic as the guide told us stories from medieval times to Norman conquest some centuries ago, which heightened my admiration of the castle. Some rooms inside the castle had so many books than I have ever seen and the arts were just breath taking; some rooms also had a lot of crusader paintings and images. After about an hour tour round the castle, it was time to leave so I used the opportunity to have a look around the castle shop (souvenir). I was truly amazed at how cheap the items were sold, being a bargain hunter myself, I was quick to pick up few stuffs i.e. the castle miniature, post cards, peacock feather which I presumed held some meaning to the castle history. Cardiff castle is a great place to take children to as there are always things to fill their time. It also creates an avenue for learning i.e. knowing the history of places and people that once existed. If you wanted to go to more sightseeing, there is a tourist bus usually at the front of the castle shop to pick up people and that makes it the more convenient for tourists. There is also a coach station at the other side of the road, coaches to various places especially London. I will have to give thumbs up for my experience; it was nothing short of my expectations. read more

Cardiff Castle - Just in front of the castle - Castles Near Me - Cardiff, CRF

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A must visit in Cardiff. Castle Cardiff may not be the dank medieval fortress people associate with Welsh Castles, but this place still has plenty of real history and it's Victorian interiors are still stunning. Located right in the center of the city, it's easy to get to. The keep offers nice views as well as a nice bit of history. The interior of the castle is wonderfully done and very photogenic and easy to get around. The audio guide is not only free but fantastic. It's well paced and doesn't drag like some I have experienced do. Don't pass on it. read more

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I learned so much history when I went here. A great tour atmosphere and a perfect place to learn about one of the greatest castles ever built! read more

Cardiff Castle is a must-see if you're visiting Cardiff, or even if you're living and working in Cardiff and you want to experience a slice of your country's history. I came here recently to watch a jousting tournament and it was an amazing experience! ~ Pricing: It's not free to visit Cardiff Castle, but paying for a ticket opens a lot up to you for exploration. However, if you live and work in Cardiff, you can apply to get a Castle Key which gives you free access to Cardiff Castle for 3 years for a small £5 administration fee. ~ Attractions: - Castle Apartments - Hour Tour - Wartime Shelters - Museum of Welsh Soldier - Norman Keep - Roman Wall - Clock Tower and much more - but the best thing is that most of this is guided, so it's a very educational experience. ~ Events: Cardiff Castle has loads of events throughout the year. Like I said, I came here for a jousting event which was very good. Just check their website to keep updated on stuff they have going on. If you have a Castle Key, it's a discounted price for the event. --- If you're going to Cardiff, or if you live in Cardiff, it's vital to visit the castle at least once! A great learning experience! read more

I went here recently with my work, and we went on the guided tour. Which I'm so glad we got the opportunity to do. The guide was really knowledgeable and answered all our questions. His enthusiasm for the history of the castle really made the tour. The tour was around 45 mins long, and takes you through a lot of the castle. Though i'm sure there are longer tours, that take you around more. I would recommend spending a bit of time exploring the grounds. Sadly I was pressed for time, and didn't the chance to really look around. Also the castle tower right on top of the hill has some amazing views, but do note the stairs are extremely steep and quite high, so may not be suitbale for children, or those afriad of heights. read more

I've been to quite a few castles, but never before have I been to one where basically the entire castle is open to you. I spent 3 hours there and I wish I would have stayed longer. It's definitely worth the price of admission to get the behind the scenes tour and get to visit rooms that are not part of the regular admission price for the castle. Come on, it's an extra 4 pounds. A definite must see! read more

Cardiff Castle is one of the most popular attractions that Cardiff has to offer. And for good reason. I'll admit quite readily to all these lovely tourists who've reviewed before me, that I've living within spitting distance of the castle for most of my life, and only eventually ventured in a couple of years ago. With a friend who was visiting from America. The great thing about Cardiff Castle, what separate it from other historical places of this ilk, is the fact that you are visiting both a Medieval fort and a more recent grand house, once belonging to the Bute family. Once you've climbed fifty thousand steps, the fort offers spectacular views of the surrounding vistas, and on a clear day you can see the sea and much of Bute Park, the River Taff and a stone circle below. The house offers a very different side to castle life, and you can take a tour around some of the most unforgettable rooms you'll ever see; including a room completely covered in gold-leaf. There is an admission fee, unlike many other CADW run historical landmarks, but at Cardiff Castle you do get a lot for you money. And peacocks. read more

Cardiff castle is a real treat for everybody to enjoy. It is absolutely stunning. I go here every time we have visitors come to stay.... Which lately seems to be every other week. Grrrrr! Although there is an entrance fee I am a castle pass holder which is a basically free admission for locals. I filled in a form, then took two photos, my council tax bill and proof of address to the admissions office and they provided me with a card that gives me free entrance into this wonderful castle. I am not sure if they are still offering this service but it is worth asking for a form next time you visit incase they do! The grounds surrounding the castle are superb, so if you begrudge paying to enter the castle at least take a walk around it ...........You will regret it if you dont! I recommend you take a picnic and enjoy it in the beautiful settings as eating anywhere else... especially on a nice day.... would be a sin! One last thing- You can also get to the castle by waterbus, which runs pretty much hourly with pick ups in Penarth and Cardiff bay. read more

I'm always happy when we have a visitor to stay for a weekend as it gives me an excuse to go to Cardiff Castle again! My love of the fantastical and intricate interiors of William Burgess and the eccenttic 3rd marquis of Bute began on Bute Island itself in Bute House. But, little did I know I'd be living round the corner from another of these beauties. Cardiff Castle really does have a bit of everything. The grounds are those you would expect in a castle, and for those who love the medieval the motte & bailie in the centre is just as it should be. The tour of the Victorian apartments is by far the highlight of the visit. My particular favourites are the completely overembellished, yet exquisitely detailed smoking room and the beautiful, thoughtful and intriguing nursery room. The individually painted tiles are just breathtaking. And the best bit, for me, is that each time I've been the tour has included some variety in the rooms visited - but always that exquisite smoking room! read more

I have to admit fellow yelpers, that I have not been to Cardiff castle for a normal reason like others may have. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to interview the stereophonics when they were playing at the castle. I was in awe of the vast ground and this huge castle, it was a sight to behold. As we went in, it was a strange feeling to be walking around this castle, as well as the nerves of trying to say something to the welsh pop stars. One of my friends mouthed a quote I will never forget from this day when he was pondering about whether he could connect to the internet on his laptop, "no wi-fi, what kind of castle doesn't have wi-fi" - well, I thought it was funny. I'd really love to come visit Cardiff castle properly one day and feel a bit ashamed that I have been in Cardiff for three years and not done so already. Cardiff wouldn't be the same without the walls of Cardiff castle and I for one am glad we have this great landmark in our centre. read more

Fun castle for the family to visit. Unfortunately it was a festival weekend so we couldn't go inside the residences. Instead, there were activities for kids and the family. A bit more commercialized, but offers great views above the tower. read more

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We made a point of visiting the castle on this trip to Cardiff and paid for a tour of the house. The tour is roughly 50 minutes. We didn't have a large group, maybe 10 of us, which was nice. The tour guide was very personable, friendly, and funny and included the children on the tour in the conversation. The room were very interesting and had a lot of history. You can walk up to the top of the keep on your own. But a heads up if you're afraid of heights or claustrophobic. I am both but still managed to make it to the top. All the staff was very friendly and they have a nice little gift shop. You can also tour the grounds on your own, free of charge, but you won't have access to the house. read more

Cardiff Castle - Castles Near Me - Cardiff, CRF

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I didn't go to Cardiff castle for the first time until earlier this year when a good friend suggested it as a day out. You really do need the whole day if you want to absorb everything that this important landmark has to offer and I strongly recommend the premium tour ticket for any first-timers or tourists. With the premium tour you get everything you would expect from the standard admission plus a 45 minute guided tour and get to see areas of the castle you wouldn't normally see and also, there is someone on hand to answer any questions you may have and to point out things you might miss if you were looking around without a guide. Located smack bang in the midst of the city the grounds themselves are a beautiful. As you walk through the castle gate you feel the city disappear as you are transported to another world. When I visited I took advantage of the audio guide which explains a lot of details as you make your way around. You can walk around the main house which forms a part of the castle walls, then there is the castle keep which will give you a small workout as you climb the steps up to it, you should also take the time to explore the castle walls themselves which you can walk around and view the city from an entirely different perspective. Once you have walked the top of this you can then venture down inside the walls and explore further, if you're a big kid like me you will love this. And, if that doesn't take the best part of your day up then there is the interpretation centre which shows movies and provides even more information about the history of the castle. What I didn't realise before visiting is that if you live or work in Cardiff city you can apply for your own pass which gives you free entry into the grounds whenever the castle is open (certain days are excluded if there is a special event happening). I think it's another great place to go and enjoy your lunch break and escape the city life for an hour read more

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