h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

There are many good castles throughout Wales, and since I live in Cardiff I am familiar with a few of them...

Cardiff Castle:
Is a large square 'fort' in the centre of the city. It comprises a large square curtain wall with cannons set in various apertures, a motte (mound) surmounted by a stone keep and residential 'great hall' and tower on the eastern side. Much of the interior area is laid to grass. The hall and tower served as the home of the Marquis of Bute for many years and is sumptuously decorated in a 'gothic revival' style - with lots of features which are works of pure fantasy from the overactive romantic imagination common to many victorians. Behind the castle is a large area of parkland containing an arboretum gardens and playing fields. The castle is sometimes used for concerts and public events.

Castle Coch:
A few miles to the North is Castle Coch (= The Red Castle), which is a tall round castle set on the side of a hill to guard the river valley below - which is the main route north out of Cardiff. This small castle has had all the spectacular excesses of the gothic revival lavished upon it. It's a true fairy-tale castle, with tall pointed spires on the top and a fabulous interior. This one is well worth a visit.

Caerphilly Castle:
This is a completely different kind of castle. This castle is BIG - the 2nd largest in Europe (after Windsor Castle). It has everything that a medieval fortification should have - a big moat filled with water (and ducks) a large drawbridge up to an imposing gate set into the curtain wall. Within this - is another set of walls and towers -inside which are the central keep and great hall. It is a good example of a 'concentric castle' with several layers of defence.
Caerphilly Castle also features the famous 'leaning tower' which was hit by cannon fire in the Civil War of the 17th Century and is now balanced at a precarious looking angle. There is also a fine display of reconstructed seige engines (a ballista, mangonel, catapult and a large trebuchet too) - occasionally these weapons are demonstrated - to hurl large projectiles into a section of the moat.

There are other castles in the area too including Raglan, Usk, Caldicot and others. Many of them are worth a visit.

Two others worthy of mention: Kidwelly (outside Llanelli) and Carreg Cennen. Kidwelly overlooks a bend in a river, and is very well preserved. Carreg Cennen seems to have been built purely for visual impact. It's built on a hilltop and isn't very well preserved, but looks absolutely spectacular from a distance. It's about 4 1/2 miles outside Llandeilo.

Strangely enough, I'm driving that way tomorrow. I'll take a peek.
(at Carreg Cennen) - I'm going to see a friend in Cardigan.

Thanks.

Any time. I hope you have a nice day for it. We had a brilliant spring morning, and I have never seen a sight like it. Absolutely gobsmacking.