Caerphilly Castle
Caerphilly, Wales
Photo: National Assembly for Wales from Wales, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Gareth James, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Gareth James, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Cadw
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- Cadw Explorer Pass
- Nearest station
- Caerphilly, 0.3 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Britain's second-largest castle; famous leaning tower and water defences
Pinpoint
Castle St, Caerphilly CF83 1JD
Telephone 0300 025 2239
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| 1st March - 30th June | 9.30am-5pm |
| 1st July - 31st August | 9.30am-6pm |
| 1st September - 31st October | 9.30am-5pm |
| 1st November - 28th February | 10am-4pm |
Last entry: 30 minutes before closing
- Closed
- Closed 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
Britain's second-largest castle after Windsor, its concentric water defences and famously leaning south-east tower still dominating the town centre. The moat is now shared with resident swans and geese.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The water defences and leaning tower, alongside the reconstructed siege catapults reviewers call the most impressive exhibits on site.
Before you go
There's a paid car park opposite the castle that fills up quickly, and the self-guided route is wheelchair and pushchair accessible.
What visitors say
Caerphilly Castle reviews · 4.7 / 5 across 8,511 Google reviews
Visitors are consistently struck by Caerphilly's scale and its dramatic water defences, with several calling out the views and atmosphere as highlights, and staff are repeatedly praised as friendly and helpful.
A few reviewers note the ground floor is accessible but the upper levels involve a lot of steep, winding stairs, and one visitor felt the castle could use more artifacts on display inside.
Overall the consensus is a rewarding day out, with some saying a few hours barely covers everything there is to see.
“Nice castle with stunning views. I would expect to see more artifacts in the castle. The catapults were the most impressive exhibits.”- Georgios Adamakos, visitor review
Within reach of Cardiff (7 miles), Bristol (28 miles) - see what else is nearby.
Getting in - what Cadw says
Detailed access guide available; contact provided for queries about accessibility
Taken from Cadw’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
Walks at Caerphilly Castle
Caerphilly Castle is on our walks roll because a visitor described a walk here in their own review:
“Walking around the grounds gives you a sense of the size of the site, and there are lovely views from different angles across the lakes and walls.”- The_polite_passport, visitor review
Also worth knowing: dogs are reported welcome and you can arrive by train (Caerphilly is 0.3 miles off).
Comparing options? See every UK castle with a walk visitors describe.
One visitor's account, not a route guide. We hold no distances, waymarks or start points. For the actual route, check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map before you set out, and treat coastal and clifftop paths as weather- and tide-dependent.
History
Gilbert de Clare · 1268
Constructed by Marcher lord Gilbert de Clare from 1268 to defend against Welsh Prince Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Caerphilly became Britain's second-largest castle. After Llywelyn's death, it was transformed into a palatial residence with hunting grounds, later enhanced by Hugh Despenser under Edward II.
Drawn from Cadw's own page.
Plan your visit
- Combine this with
- Castell Coch is only 3.2 miles away - worth pairing into the same day. See Castell Coch →
- Tickets & opening times
- Check current prices and hours with the operator before travelling - details change more often than any directory can track.
- Data checked
- Ratings, review counts and the visitor-note quotes above were drawn from publicly available Google reviews. Castles change hands and adjust hours faster than any directory can track in real time.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “Parking was inexpensive but the sort stay was very full.” - Steve Alderson
- Guided tours
- “Follow the arrows to complete the self guided tour of the castle and grounds.” - Jen B
- Terrain & accessibility
- “Lots of steep winding stairs to access other parts of the castle.” - Jen B
- Facilities
- “Gift shop available as well.” - Georgios Adamakos
Common questions about Caerphilly Castle
Where is Caerphilly Castle?
Caerphilly Castle is in Caerphilly, Wales, at Castle St, Caerphilly CF83 1JD.
Do you need a ticket to visit Caerphilly Castle?
Yes - Caerphilly Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Cadw. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Is Caerphilly Castle dog-friendly?
Visitor reviews suggest dogs are welcome at Caerphilly Castle - one reviewer noted: “…esting with some really nice views. The dog was allowed in the grounds and lower levels including the various rooms…”. Policies can vary between parts of a site and change over time, so confirm with the operator before visiting with a dog.
Are there walks at Caerphilly Castle?
Visitor reviews describe walking here - one reviewer wrote: “Walking around the grounds gives you a sense of the size of the site, and there are lovely views from different angles across the lakes and walls.”. That is one visitor's account rather than a route guide, so check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map for distances, paths and start points before setting out.
What is the highlight of visiting Caerphilly Castle?
The water defences and leaning tower, alongside the reconstructed siege catapults reviewers call the most impressive exhibits on site.
