Hensol Castle
Vale of Glamorgan, Wales
Photo: TedColes at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: TomZelinsky, CC BY 4.0 · Deborah Tilley, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Vale Resort (Leekes Group)
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Limited tour days
- Nearest station
- Pontyclun, 1.8 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Gin distillery tours in cellars; wedding/event venue
Pinpoint
Hensol Castle Hensol, Castle Park, Hensol, Pontyclun CF72 8JX
Telephone 01443 667900
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | 12:00 – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 12:00 – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 12:00 – 5:00 PM |
A country house castle now run as part of the Vale Resort, better known today for its gin distillery in the cellars and as a wedding and events venue than for any medieval history. Reviewers rate the gin tour and tasting, paired with a cream tea, as a genuinely good afternoon out even without a wedding to attend.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The gin distillery tour in the cellars, with tasting and a history of the castle and its former families woven in.
Before you go
Weddings are booked up to two years ahead here, so plan well in advance if that's the visit you're after; the gin tour and cream tea can be booked separately and don't require an event.
What visitors say
Hensol Castle reviews · 4.7 / 5 across 827 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently praise Hensol Castle as a memorable venue, with wedding guests and day visitors alike highlighting the impressive grounds, comfortable bedrooms, and attentive staff, plus specific praise for the gin distillery tour and afternoon tea.
One reviewer suggests email response times before the event could be quicker, but this is a minor note within an otherwise strongly positive set of reviews.
“Beautiful historic venue with Gothic towers. Owned by lot of families in the past. Rich history. We visited distillery and spend time with interesting explanation from the tour guide.”- Sinisha Pavleski, visitor review
Within reach of Cardiff (8 miles), Bristol (34 miles) - see what else is nearby.
Weddings at Hensol Castle
Hensol Castle is on our wedding roll because a visitor described a wedding here in their own review. Visit their site.
“We recently had our wedding at Hensol Castle, and from the very beginning the experienc…”- visitor review
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
late 17th or early 18th century
Hensol evolved from a 17th-century gothic revival mansion, possibly the work of London architect Roger Morris, into a fortified house rather than a true castle. William Talbot, later Baron Talbot of Hensol, significantly expanded it around 1735, reportedly spending £60,000 on east and west wings. Samuel Richardson remodelled the south front in the late 18th century; further alterations by Wyatt and Brandon in the 1840s under Rowland Fothergill added classical elements throughout. It developed into a substantial manor house rather than medieval fortification.
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.
- Guided tours
- “We visited distillery and spend time with interesting explanation from the tour guide.” - Sinisha Pavleski
Common questions about Hensol Castle
Where is Hensol Castle?
Hensol Castle is in Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, at Hensol Castle Hensol, Castle Park, Hensol, Pontyclun CF72 8JX.
How do you visit Hensol Castle?
Hensol Castle opens on limited tour days rather than every day, and is looked after by Vale Resort (Leekes Group). Because the dates are restricted, check the official site and book ahead before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Hensol Castle?
The gin distillery tour in the cellars, with tasting and a history of the castle and its former families woven in.
Is Hensol Castle a ruin or still intact?
Hensol Castle is largely intact - Gin distillery tours in cellars; wedding/event venue.
