Summary
As the second smallest country in the United Kingdom, following Northern Ireland, Wales boasts a remarkable array of historical landmarks despite its diminutive size. The country is renowned for its substantial number of castles, with over 400 structures, making it the nation with the highest density of castles globally.
Interestingly, the majority of these castles are of English origin rather than Welsh, constructed to oversee and protect the land while also subduing the local Welsh population.
Wales fell under English domination following the execution of Dafydd, the last Prince of Wales, in 1283. After this event, Edward I of England maintained strict control over Wales, commissioning the construction of grand castles to ensure loyalty to English rule. Many of these castles are exemplary representations of Medieval architecture.
1. Raglan Castle
Raglan Castle, located in southeastern Wales, represents a late Medieval fortress that began construction in 1430 under the commission of Sir William ap Thomas, known as the Blue Knight of Gwent.
Significant renovations occurred in the late 16th century, introducing features such as a new hammer-beam roof.
The sandstone castle was not constructed for purely defensive purposes; rather, its intent was to exhibit influence and wealth.
A distinctive characteristic of Raglan Castle is its polygonal designs, setting it apart from the more traditional square or round formations found throughout the region. The castle features a moat surrounding the Yellow Tower of Gwent.
2. Caernarfon Castle
Situated in northwestern Wales, Caernarfon Castle is a medieval fortress constructed in the late 13th century, replacing an earlier motte-and-bailey castle from the 11th century. It stands as one of the most recognizable castles in Wales.
The castle’s imposing stature is connected to the fact that Caernarfon served as the administrative hub of North Wales during Edward I’s reign.
Over the years, Caernarfon Castle has endured multiple sieges. Following the rise of the Tudor dynasty, as relations between England and Wales stabilized, many Welsh castles lost their significance; Caernarfon was no exception, falling into neglect until restoration efforts commenced in the 19th century.
The castle features several polygonal towers, battlements, and two entrances – one facing the town and the other allowing for access without entering the settlement. Unfortunately, the castle was never completed as originally intended.
3. Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle, another impressive fortress from the era of Edward I, stands proudly on the northern shore of Wales. Constructed in the late 13th century, it played a critical role in the establishment of the town of Conwy.
This castle is a prime example of medieval defensive architecture, featuring recognizable massive round towers and an impressive defensive wall. It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, noted for its exceptional military architectural style from that period in Europe.
The castle’s rectangular design includes inner and outer wards, encompassing eight towers. The inner ward housed the main chambers, while the outer ward accommodated kitchens, stables, a prison, and garrison.
4. Cardiff Castle
Cardiff Castle, positioned in the capital of Wales, was initially constructed in the 11th century as a motte and bailey castle atop a Roman fort dating back to the 3rd century. A century later, it began a transformation into a stone structure with added features such as a shell keep and defensive walls. Over the subsequent centuries, the castle has undergone numerous changes, enhancements, and renovations.
Similar to other castles during the English Civil War, Cardiff Castle faced challenges, initially seized by Parliamentary forces before being reclaimed by Royalist supporters.
In the mid-18th century, the castle was converted into a Georgian mansion, later redesigned in Gothic revival style. These renovations, overseen by architect William Burges, resulted in interiors acclaimed as exceptional examples of gothic revival architecture, featuring intricate murals, stained glass, delicate wood carvings, and marble.
During World War II, the castle served as an air raid shelter.
5. Pembroke Castle
Pembroke Castle is renowned as the birthplace of Henry VII, gaining renewed attention recently following archaeological discoveries that have clarified details about the first Tudor king’s origins.
The original structure was established at the end of the 11th century and reconstructed in stone a century later, making it an impressive example of Norman stone castles in Wales.
Pembroke Castle is situated above Wogan’s Cavern or Wogan Cave, known to have been utilized by humans since the Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods. In the 13th century, the cave was integrated into the castle’s defenses.
During the English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell’s forces laid siege to Pembroke Castle in 1648, and Cromwell himself witnessed its capture after a seven-week siege.
6. Chirk Castle
Chirk Castle is one of the remarkable Welsh castles constructed during the reign of Edward I, completed in 1310. This castle occupies a strategic position overlooking the entrance to the Ceiriog Valley. Situated on the Welsh-English border in the north of the country, it has historically played an essential role in ensuring English control over Wales. Today, Chirk Castle remains the only castle from Edward I’s era that is inhabited.
Initially designed as a military fortress, the castle features signature round drum towers, expertly crafted for archers needing to oversee and protect a wide expanse. The towers’ thick walls measure five meters, rendering them nearly impregnable.
Visitors can now enjoy not only the stunning architecture but also five acres of meticulously maintained gardens filled with beautiful roses and manicured lawns.
7. Caerphilly Castle
Caerphilly Castle, located in South Wales near Cardiff, was constructed as a defensive stronghold against Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the last prince of a united Wales prior to Edward I’s reign. The castle spans approximately 30 acres, making it the second largest in Britain.
Built during the mid-to-late 13th century, the castle is surrounded by an impressive fully-flooded moat. Its design featured concentric elements that advanced the concept of fortification in British castles.
Although the castle stood proud for several centuries, by the mid-16th century it was described as being in a state of ruin. Notably, the castle’s south-eastern tower leans by ten degrees off its vertical axis.
8. Powis Castle
Among the medieval castles in Wales, Powis Castle stands out due to its red stone exterior and its preservation over time, avoiding the decline seen in many contemporaneous structures. Erected in the early 13th century, the castle has undergone numerous enhancements and renovations throughout its history.
In the 17th century, a remarkable state bedroom and terraced gardens were added, transforming the property into a splendid royal manor featuring an impressive art collection, exceptional interiors, and notable artifacts from India.
The stunning Baroque gardens at Powis Castle rank among the finest in the United Kingdom, showcasing distinctive landscaping and centuries-old yew trees.
9. Roch Castle
Roch Castle invites guests to experience a piece of 12th-century Norman history with a modern twist, having been transformed into a luxury hotel featuring six upscale rooms. The castle’s unique and dramatic design enhances its rise from a rocky outcrop.
Originally, Roch Castle fulfilled a defensive role by protecting Flemish settlers from the independent Welsh in the north, who posed a threat to the anglicized regions.
The castle served as a royalist stronghold during the English Civil War but fell into disrepair soon after. It remained neglected until the 1900s when it was meticulously restored to its former elegance.
10. Beaumaris Castle
Beaumaris Castle, located in North Wales on the Island of Anglesey, is a notable illustration of the castles erected during Edward I’s rule. While construction remained incomplete due to financial constraints, the castle’s grand exterior has endured, symbolizing the artistry of medieval architecture.
The castle features perfectly symmetrical concentric walls and remarkable round drum towers. Despite its military significance, Beaumaris Castle does not embody the typical foreboding appearance common to many other fortifications of its time; instead, it harmoniously integrates with the surrounding landscape, showcasing architectural precision.
11. Harlech Castle
Located in northwestern Wales, Harlech Castle is set against a breathtaking backdrop, accentuated by its concentric design. This sandstone castle, another of Edward I’s fortifications, was constructed to solidify English authority in Wales. Interestingly, it was briefly seized by a Welsh leader in the 15th century before being retaken by English forces.
The castle’s design cleverly utilizes the natural topography, employing cliffs as a defense against attacks. Dry moats were carved into the rock to enhance its defensive capabilities.
Harlech Castle experienced a siege during the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century, resulting in irreparable damage. Subsequently, it was utilized for military purposes during the English Civil War, but orders for its complete destruction were not fully executed, allowing portions of the structure to survive into the present day.
12. Castell Coch
Unlike many Welsh castles that exhibit a foreboding appearance, Castell Coch stands out with its enchanting façade reminiscent of a fairytale. The cylindrical turrets of Castell Coch are distinctive not only to Welsh castles but to medieval fortifications across Britain. This is largely due to its construction in the Gothic revival style during the Victorian era in the 1870s, although a previous Norman castle existed on this site dating back to the 11th century.
Commissioned by John Crichton-Stuart, the 3rd Marquess of Bute, the renowned architect William Burges was enlisted to reimagine a castle based on the medieval remnants. The interiors showcase High Victorian features, celebrated by historians and architects as triumphs of Victorian design.
13. Bodelwyddan Castle
Bodelwyddan Castle, located in North Wales, dates back to the 15th century. Unlike many of its counterparts, this castle was not originally designed for defense; rather, it was established as a manor house for the Humphreys family of Anglesey. The current structure was completed in the 1830s, extending the previous manor house.
Currently, the castle has been transformed into a luxury hotel. During World War I, it served as a hospital wing, and in the 1980s, it was utilized as a college.
14. Rhuddlan Castle
Rhuddlan Castle was established shortly after the First Welsh War and is one of the many castles commissioned by King Edward I of England. The construction spanned over ten years, culminating in its completion in 1282.
The layout was designed as a concentric castle featuring a twin tower gatehouse and an enclosing curtain wall for the outer ward. Presently, Rhuddlan Castle exists in a state of legible ruin.
15. Penrhyn Castle
At first glance, Penrhyn Castle appears more in line with English landscapes and markedly different from many Welsh castles, which are primarily fortresses. Conversely, Penrhyn Castle was designed as a fortified manor house.
The original stone structure and tower house were constructed in the 15th century, but the building underwent extensive reconstruction in the late 18th century, leading to the current structure from the 19th century. This latter reconstruction dramatically transformed the castle. Elements from the original design, including a vaulted basement and a spiral staircase, were preserved in the final architectural plan.
