There’s no better way to spend your time in South Wales than by visiting a few of its many castles. No matter how ruined the castles are, each one is a sight to behold and many overlook some of the best countrysides in the country whether those views be across farmland or coastline. So get ready to step back in time and discover parts of history you have yet to uncover whilst having your breath blown away!
Where to Stay in South Wales Swansea and Cardiff are the best places to base yourself if you want to see the castles in South Wales. You can book a rental car, take the train or bus, or join a guided tour to visit the castles in Wales. Morgans Hotel: Located in the centre of Swansea, this hotel offers luxurious rooms. After sightseeing, you can relax at the bar and enjoy a cocktail or a glass of wine. Restaurants are within walking distance. Book your stay here. Delta Hotels by Marriott Swansea: The beachfront hotel has stunning views of Swansea Beach and is within walking distance of the centre of Swansea. The Delta Hotel offers comfortable rooms, a restaurant, and a bar. Book your stay here. Hotel Indigo - Cardiff: The hotel is within walking distance of the impressive Cardiff Castle and offers stylish rooms. After visiting the castles in South Wales, you can unwind on the terrace while enjoying a drink or head to the fitness centre. Book your stay here. How to Get Around South Wales The best and easiest way to explore the castles in South Wales is by car. I recommend booking a vehicle through Discover Cars. They offer the best price, you can compare all rental car agencies’ prices, and you can cancel or modify your booking for free. Click here for more information on availability and the latest prices. You can also book a guided tour to see Cardiff Castle. Click here for more information on prices and availability. Alternatively, you can take the train or bus to visit the castles in South Wales. Click here for more information about the Explore South Wales Pass.
The Best 20 Castles to Visit in South Wales
1. Caerphilly Castle
Considered to be one of the best Medieval castles in the whole of Western Europe, Caerphilly is an imposing fortified castle with 2 lakes and an iconic leaning tower that leans even more than the Leaning Tower of Pisa!
Fans of the TV show Merlin will instantly recognize this castle as it was one of the filming locations so step inside and soak up the sensational stories from a bygone time.
Where: Caerphilly
When: 13th century
Open for visit: Yes. Check here for more information.
2. Cardiff Castle
At 2,000 years old there’s a lot of history to uncover at Cardiff Castle – originally a Roman fort, it became a Norman motte and bailey castle in the 11th century before an eccentric rich Victorian man turned it into a fantasy-style Victorian Gothic revival mansion.
Admire the panoramic views from the medieval keep, see the remains of the Roman wall, and step inside to admire the lavish interior’s of the castle’s apartments as you travel through the ages and varied architectural styles.
Where: Cardiff
When: 11th century
Open for visit: Yes, check here for more information.
3. Caldicot Castle
One of the lesser-visited castles in Wales, Caldicot Castle has been restored to show you what the large imposing castle would have looked like in medieval times. Situated within a wooded country park, Caldicot Castle was a family home during Victorian times having originally been used as a stronghold by the Normans.
Where: Monmouthshire
When: 13th century
Open for visit: Yes. Check here for more information.
Check out: The best castles to visit in Wales.
4. Carreg Cennen Castle
Located within the Brecon Beacons National Park high upon a rocky hilltop 300 feet (90 metres) above the River Cennen stands the stunning ruin of Carreg Cennen castle.
Hauntingly breathtaking, wander around the exterior remains of Carreg Cennen Castle including the gatehouse and the Northwest Tower as you marvel at the views of Mother Nature below.
Where: Carmarthenshire
When: 13th century
Open for visit: Yes. Check here for more information.
5. Ogmore Castle
One of the earliest Norman fortifications in Wales to have been rebuilt using stone, Ogmore Castle sits on flat land guarding an important fording place. Standing in ruin today, visitors can cross the modern bridge across to the now-empty moat to see the remains of the great keep, the latrine tower, cellar, and more whilst admiring the picturesque views.
Where: Glamorgan
When: 11th-12th century
Open for visit: Yes. Check here for more information.
6. Skenfrith Castle
This small but picturesque ruined castle in its village location was built after the 1066 invasion as a Norman motte with a circular bailey but was later demolished and rebuilt in 1220, the new castle having 4 corner towers (3 of which survive today), a gatehouse and a round keep. Sadly it was abandoned in the 16th century and was in ruin within 100 years.
Where: Monmouthshire
When: 11th-12th century
Open for visit: Yes. Open all year from dawn to dusk. Check here for more information.
7. Dinefwr Castle
Another castle with 2,000 years of history to uncover, Dinefwr was once the chief seat of the Kingdom of Deheubarth. Take a walk around the ruined round tower, the circular keep, the Northern chamber block, and enjoy the views from the top of the curtain wall
Where: Carmarthenshire
When: 13th century
Open for visit: Yes. Click here for more information.
8. Cilgerran Castle
Though this historical fortress stands in ruin, the two great round towers of Cilgerran Castle soar high above Teifi gorge with the river and stream below ensuring stunning scenery for the nature lovers and photographers plus 800 years of history for the architectural fans.
Where: Pembrokeshire
When: 13th century
Open for visit: Yes. Check here for more information.
9. Llansteffan Castle
With views overlooking green farmland in one direction and the sea and sand of Tywi Estuary and Carmarthen Bay in the other, it’s safe to say that the views from Llandsteffan Castle are outstanding. Put your walking boots on and make the climb up the castle footpath to admire the ruins, especially the twin-towered gatehouse – It’s worth it for the views alone!
Where: Carmarthenshire
When: 12th century
Open for visit: Yes. Check here for more information.
10. Carew Castle & Tidal Mill
Visitors are greeting with a breathtaking sight at the ruins of Carew Castle as it stands next to a 23 acre tidal millpond and 18th-century mill. Major renovation work at the castle in 2013 included reinstatement of the Lesser Hall roof with a modern visitor centre enabling visitors to learn the history of Carew Castle out of the rain!
Where: Pembrokeshire
When: 13th century
Open for visit: Yes. Check here for more information.
11. White Castle
Otherwise known as Llantilio Castle, this ruined fortress is one of three that were built to control the border during the reign of Edward I. It is called the White Castle due to the white rendering on its masonry and was Edward’s first Welsh castle. Standing in ruin today, it is possible to climb the gatehouse tower still to admire the views.
Where: Monmouthshire
When: 12th century
Open for visit: Yes. Check here for more information.
12. Pembroke Castle
Feast your eyes on this huge castle that’s surrounded by a beautiful millpond, a must-see for photographers and those who appreciate being in beautiful surroundings.
History buffs will enjoy the free guided tour that takes place every hour for it was at Pembroke Castle where the Tudor Dynasty started. Learn about the circular keep, the gatehouse, the subterranean cave, and more whilst admiring the views.
Where: Pembrokeshire
When: 13th century
Open for visit: Yes. Check here for more information.
13. Swansea Castle
Standing in the centre of the city, surrounded by modern architecture, the ruins of Swansea Castle are a reminder of where we have come from and that survival is possible, the ruins having withstood siege followed by rebellion, followed by the Blitz!
Only the remnants of the 13th-century hall, prison block, and Solar Tower remain of Swansea castle which was built by Henry de Beaumont, Earl of Warwick remain today though.
Where: Swansea
When: 13th-14thth century
Open for visit: Yes. Accessible dawn to dusk. Check here for more information.
14. Kidwelly Castle / Castell Cydweli
The remains of this imposing medieval fortress featured in the first scene of the British classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Take a wander around today to see the hall range, South-east tower, rear gatehouse, the chapel and more as you learn how the castle was regularly updated and used to control coastal traffic whilst protecting the River Gwendraeth.
Where: Carmarthenshire
When: 12th century
Open for visit: Yes. Check here for more information.
15. Laugharne Castle/ Castell Talacharn
An impressive medieval castle and Tudor mansion with ornamental gardens, Laugharne Castle certainly holds a lot of fascinating history as it was also the hideout for poet Dylan Thomas who wrote Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog in the castle’s summerhouse.
Where: Carmarthenshire
When: 13th century
Open for visit: Yes. Check here for more information.
16. Chepstow Castle
One of the earliest Norman castles in England and Wales to be built from stone, and what we think of today as a ‘proper’ castle-fortress, Chepstow Castle has had a long and varied history being used as a castle, prison, and military garrison.
It might stand derelict today with its fragmented town walls but it has somehow managed to retain its 800-year-old wooden doors making them the oldest castle doors in all of Europe.
Where: Gwent
When: 11th century
Open for visit: Yes. Check here for more information.
17. Margam Castle
This large and lavish Tudor mansion with a country park will put you in mind of Downton Abbey. Completed in 1840 in the Gothic fantasy style, the castle’s most stunning features include its octagonal tower and the stair hall.
Be sure to wander down as far as the 12th-century abbey located at the bottom of the exquisite gardens and if you have kids, a visit to the Children’s Fairy Tale Village is a must too!
Where: Port Talbot
When: 19th century
Open for visit: Yes, check here for more information.
18. Castell Coch
Fairytale castles do exist and Castell Coch is proof! Standing on the site of an old Normal castle, Castell Coch is thought to be a reproduction of a medieval Welsh chieftain’s stronghold from the 1870’s complete with round towers and a draw bridge. Marvellous on the outside, it’s also marvellous inside with extremely lavish interiors so be sure to visit inside too!
Where: Cardiff
When: 19th century
Open for visit: Yes. Check here for more information.
19. Manorbier Castle
The ruins of this beautiful castle complete with fairytale turrets are unmissable due to the clifftop location with stunning views out across Manorbier Beach as well as across Manorbier village.
See the great hall and chapel as you move up and down the stone stairs and along the corridors steeped in 900 years of history before admiring the landscaped gardens.
Where: Pembrokeshire
When: 12th century
Open for visit: Yes. Check here for more details.
20. Raglan Castle
This fortress-palace is like something out of a fairytale so get your camera ready! One of the last true castles to be built in Wales it can be seen for miles around.
Cross the moat and admire the huge gatehouse, the gargoyles, the Closet Tower, Kitchen Tower, and the Great Tower aka the Yellow Tower with apron wall and turrets.
Where: Monmouthshire
When: 15th century
Open for visit: Yes. Check here for more information.
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I Used to live in the Rhondda Valley in South Wales close to Castell Coch; Caerphilly Castle; Cardiff Castle. Coity Castle. Oxwich Castle; St Fagans Castle. Wales is the Land of Castles and Song. I love Castles not only Welsh Castles too.