The Castle RollsA survey of every visitable castle in the United Kingdom
TICKETED

Castell Coch

Cardiff, Wales


Castell Coch
Castell Coch, further view Castell Coch, further view

Key facts

Operator
Cadw
Condition
Intact
Access
Staffed, ticketed

Pinpoint

Castell Coch, Cardiff CF15 7JS

William Burges's Victorian Gothic Revival rebuild for the 3rd Marquess of Bute, raised on the footprint of a genuine medieval castle in the woods above Tongwynlais. Its conical towers and richly painted interiors were designed as pure fantasy rather than a faithful restoration - the same partnership responsible for Cardiff Castle's interiors.

Worth the trip

The fairy-tale exterior itself - conical, pointed roofs that look more like an illustration than a real building.

Before you go

It's a short drive from Cardiff Castle, and many visitors pair the two in one day given how directly the interiors speak to each other (no review data was available for this site to draw further specifics from).

Victorian Gothic fantasy rebuild by William Burges; fully roofed

Further reading

book
Cadw Guidebook: Caernarfon Castle

Arnold Taylor

Find it on Amazon
Cadw Guidebook: Conwy Castle cover book
Cadw Guidebook: Conwy Castle

Arnold Taylor / Jeremy A. Ashbee

Find it on Amazon
A Great and Terrible King: Edward I and the Forging of Britain cover book
A Great and Terrible King: Edward I and the Forging of Britain

Marc Morris

Find it on Amazon