Cardigan Castle
Ceredigion, Wales
Photo: M J Roscoe, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Metcalf, fl. 1790, engraver Ralph, Benjamin, fl. 1763-1770, CC0 · Brian de Ford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Cadwgan Building Preservation Trust (Ceredigion CC owns)
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Nearest station
- Fishguard Harbour, 14.6 miles (straight-line)
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
- Note
- Restored 2015; B&B and self-catering on site
Pinpoint
Green Street, Cardigan SA43 1JA
Telephone 01239 615131
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
Restored in 2015, Cardigan Castle now combines a compact museum-scale visit with on-site B&B and self-catering accommodation - genuine stay-in-a-castle territory, in the middle of Cardigan town.
At a glance
Worth the trip
Staying overnight within the walls, with breakfast included and a separate residents' entrance and car park.
Before you go
It's small enough to see without feeling overwhelmed, good for a shorter visit at around £8 - the kitchen garden and cafe are worth building extra time for.
What visitors say
Cardigan Castle reviews · 4.3 / 5 across 1,694 Google reviews
Reviews of Cardigan Castle split between overnight guests and day visitors, but both groups praise the setting, gardens, and on-site cafe/restaurant.
Guests who stayed in the castle's accommodation consistently rate the breakfast and rooms highly, though one visitor felt breakfast could be improved.
Day visitors enjoyed the castle's history and gardens, though one noted the museum was closed during their visit.
“Stayed the weekend, lovely, quiet, lovely room, parking - if I had a gripe then it would be that the breakfast could be better.”- Mark Melbourne, visitor review
Getting in - what Cadwgan Building Preservation Trust (Ceredigion CC owns) says
Wheelchair-friendly paths, wheelchairs available for hire, lift in Castle Green House, accessible restaurant and toilet facilities.
Taken from Cadwgan Building Preservation Trust (Ceredigion CC owns)’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.
Weddings at Cardigan Castle
Cardigan Castle is on our wedding roll because Cadwgan Building Preservation Trust (Ceredigion CC owns) mentions weddings on their own site. Visit their site.
Comparing options? See every castle wedding venue in Wales, or the full UK wedding roll.
Dates, capacity, licensing and exclusivity change constantly and we hold none of it - treat this as a starting point and speak to the venue before you plan anything around it.
History
Gilbert Fitz Richard · 1110
Gilbert Fitz Richard founded a castle here in 1110, which was recaptured by the Welsh in 1164-1165 and rebuilt in stone by Rhys ap Gruffudd around 1171-1176. Rhys held the first eisteddfod here in 1176. The castle served as a courtroom and prison until replaced by a Shire Hall in 1764.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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
- “Stayed the weekend, lovely, quiet, lovely room, parking - if I had a gripe then it would be that the breakfast could be better.” - Mark Melbourne
- How long to allow
- “All in all it took about 2 hours in total.” - Ben D
- Facilities
- “The cafe is a nice way to finish the visit.” - Ben D
Common questions about Cardigan Castle
Where is Cardigan Castle?
Cardigan Castle is in Ceredigion, Wales, at Green Street, Cardigan SA43 1JA.
Do you need a ticket to visit Cardigan Castle?
Yes - Cardigan Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Cadwgan Building Preservation Trust (Ceredigion CC owns). Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Can you stay overnight at Cardigan Castle?
Yes - Cardigan Castle offers bookable accommodation, so you can spend the night in the castle itself or within its grounds. See the Castles You Can Sleep In guide for the full list and how each stay works.
What is the highlight of visiting Cardigan Castle?
Staying overnight within the walls, with breakfast included and a separate residents' entrance and car park.
Is Cardigan Castle a ruin or still intact?
Cardigan Castle is a partial ruin - Restored 2015; B&B and self-catering on site.
