Top castles in Wales that are not to be missed on your next trip

Wales is a country in the southwest of Great Britain noted for its rocky beaches, mountainous national parks, its distinctive Welsh language and Celtic culture. Cardiff, the capital, is a sophisticated coastal town with a nightlife scene and a gothic castle with an ornate Gothic Revival interior. In the northwest, Snowdonia National Park has lakes, glacial scenery, hiking trails and a railway up to the Snowdon mountain. Let’s take a look at the top Castles in Wales.

Castles in Wales.

Here is the list of Castles in Wales.
1. Criccieth Castle
2. Harlech Castle
3. Caernarfon Castle
4. Cardiff Castle
5. Castell Coch
6. Pembroke Castle
7. Beaumaris Castle
8. Conwy Castle

1. Criccieth Castle

Resting on the headland of Tremaddog Bay, Criccieth Castle shows the impact that King Edward I had on the building of the Welsh fortress. Founded by Llywelyn the Great at the end of the 13th century, the architecture featured many elements of Edwardian castles, including the outer wall, the outer arrow slits and the passageway murder holes. The castle changed hands between the Welsh and the English until the 15th century when it was burnt during the last major Welsh revolt. Visitors to Criccieth will walk around the ruins and discover the history of Welsh castles.

2. Harlech Castle

Founded on the summit of a 60-metre (200-foot) high hill overlooking the Bay of Cardigan and the Ll-Peninsula, Harlech Castle may be marked by centuries of war and decline, but it is still one of the most famous castles in Wales. Founded for Edward I in 1283, architect James of St. George took advantage of the cliffs on the northern and western borders to reenforce the fortifications of the castle. The castle was targeted just as soon as it was finished and acted as a stronghold in the 1600s. Today, tourists can walk through the ruins of the castle and enjoy one of the best views of the Cambrian coast.

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3. Caernarfon Castle

Located on the mouth of the River Seiont in the town of Caernarfon, the Castle of Caernarfon is a magnificent example of the Edwardian theme of the era. Built by St. George’s Chief Architect of the period, the building of the castle began in 1283 with the building of a massive outer wall that encircled the entire city, most of which still remains today. A set of towers and gates constructed along the inner wall of the castle provided additional protection. King Edward’s son was born in Caernarfon and has been called the Prince of Wales, a title that the heir to the throne has been given ever since.

4. Cardiff Castle

Raglan Castle in the county of Gwent was one of the last mediaeval castles in Wales, and the construction reveals how the British fortresses finally give way to the palaces. While it was intended for protection when construction began in 1435, attention was also paid to human comfort with a series of luxury residences constructed around a scenic courtyard. The climb to the top of the Great Tower gives a view of the moat below and the surrounding countryside. Visitors will visit the cellars, which were designed to house hundreds of casks of wine, and can see mediaeval wood carvings now visible in the castle’s long hallway.

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5. Castell Coch

Nestled on the hills just outside Cardiff, Castle Coch is one of the finest castles in Wales to visit that is easy to get to. Today, it may not be as old as any of the other castles in Wales, but it definitely has its own charm. From here, go inside the halls, walk around the kitchens and explore the grounds of this fairy-tale setting. After that, hop over to the Museum of Creation, St Fagans, which is pretty close by.

6. Pembroke Castle

Located in Pembrokeshire, South East Wales, Pembroke Castle is the largest privately held castle in Wales. It’s one of the oldest and well maintained, too. Construction goes back to 1093 when the Earl of Shrewsbury seized possession of the region from the Welsh. Popular for being the location where Henry VII was born, Pembroke started to collapse into ruin in the 17th century but was finally rebuilt in the early 1900s. Open to the public, the castle contains staged tableaux portraying incidents in the history of the castle, battle re-enactments and falconry shows.

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7. Beaumaris Castle

King Edwards I and his favourite builder James of St. George had completed the architecture of the castle by the time the construction of Beaumaris Castle began in 1295. Located on the Isle Anglesey in the county of Gwynedd, this uniquely built castle features a moat connecting to the sea, round towers on every corner and alternating entrances and gateways between the inner and outer walls. While the inner apartments of the castle have never been completed, the castle remains an imposing sight. Visitors are free to roam the grounds and walk around the doors.

8. Conwy Castle

One of the best mediaeval forts in Britain and one of the most magnificent castles in Europe, the 700-year-old Conwy Castle was built for Edward I as one of his Iron Ring castles after his invasion of Wales. A picturesque fortress, with 2 barbicans, 8 massive circular walls, and a treasure chest of rooms for you to discover inside. 

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With more ancient fortresses per square mile than anywhere else in Europe, Wales is the undisputed king of castles in Britain. Much of the buildings date back to the reign of King Edward I, who constructed the castles to help him hold onto his newly conquered territory. Known today as Edwardian castles, the fortresses have represented a new period in the building of the castle. There are a ton of interesting castles in Wales. Plan your trip the help of reputed travel agency Pickyourtrail. Log on to www.Pickyourtrail.com and with the help of your expert guides start planning your trip or check out the preset packages. Alternatively, leave a Whatsapp inquiry for more options.