Dramatic Castles in Wales

On the beautiful Isle of Anglesey stands Beaumaris Castle, fondly known as the ‘greatest castle never built’. Beaumaris is the fourth of the castles in the ‘Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd’ UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, financial difficulties and the brewing trouble in Scotland led to the early halt of construction by the 1320s. This left the castle with short walls and squat towers. Yet the near-symmetrical design reveals the plans for this dramatic castle in Wales.

Edward I ordered the destruction of Llanfaes in 1295. This order was part of his relentless quest to assert authority over his newly conquered territories in Wales. The loss of this port town paved the way for Beaumaris Castle, and the new surrounding town became the most important on Anglesey.

Embodying the unfulfilled grandeur of Edward I’s Welsh campaign, Beaumaris is undoubtedly one of the most dramatic castles in Wales.

Criccieth Castle commands a dramatic rocky headland between two golden beaches. The towering walls offer sweeping views across Cardigan Bay. Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, one of the best-known Princes of Gwynedd, began work on Criccieth Castle in the early 1200s.

The Changing Hands of Criccieth Castle

On his sweeping conquest of Wales, Edward I captured the castle fifty years later. The king began an extensive remodelling of Criccieth to solidify his position of power. By the 14th century, the Welsh had recaptured the castle, and it was in the hands of Welsh knight Syr Hywel y Fw Yall.

With an extensive history of capture and recapture, Owain Glyndŵr destroyed Criccieth Castle at the beginning of the 15th century. Owain Glyndŵr led the last major attempt by the Welsh to escape English rule. Ultimately unsuccessful, Owain’s legacy remains across Wales.

An imposing ruin today, Criccieth Castle is a site with a long history of dispute. Its prominent position above the town of Criccieth makes it one of the most dramatic castles in Wales.

Gwrych Castle, built between 1812 and 1822, was designed to replicate medieval architecture. The castle initially boasted over 100 rooms, including a remarkable 52-step marble staircase. However, a combination of factors resulted in the interior being entirely stripped. These included the acquisition of the castle by the military during WWII, use as a medieval reenactment centre, and vandalism.

Gwrych Castle’s current state includes a few internal rooms and outbuildings that you can visit. An ongoing project seeks to restore the estate. This restoration work makes it one of Britain’s most significant conservation projects.

The castle recently gained fame as a filming location for “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here” in 2020 and 2021. Fans of the popular TV show can explore the main courtyard, featuring the famous telephone box, the lookout, and more.

With its towering facade and stark, expansive interior, Gwrych is undoubtedly one of the most dramatic castles in Wales.

Montgomery Castle

Montgomery Castle sits high upon a steep crag. These historic ruins offer visitors views across the border into neighbouring England. The castle’s history dates back to the early 13th century when King Henry III began the building work in response to the growing power of the Welsh princes. This defensive work replaced an early wooden fort, Hen Domen, which had stood nearby.

The Civil War Leaves its Mark

Over the centuries, Montgomery Castle survived numerous attacks. The most notable of these occurred during the Civil War of the 17th century. Here, Parliamentarian forces demolished Montgomery Castle. Their attack left behind only the ruined towers and low walls.

The resilient ruins of Montgomery Castle have seen centuries of history and conflict along the Welsh/English border.

Powis Castle

The English and their supporters built many of the castles in Wales to consolidate their power. Powis Castle tells a different tale. The Welsh prince Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn built this grand fortress in the 13th century as the seat of the princes of Powys. Not long after, in 1274, powerful Welsh rival Llywelyn ap Gruffudd destroyed this structure. A mere three years later, the castle was rebuilt.

The Herbert Family

However, it was the building work of the later 1500s which elevated Powis Castle to one of the most dramatic castles in north and mid-Wales. It was the Herbert family who undertook this grand remodelling, and Powis remained in their family until it passed to the National Trust in 1952. Today, the castle retains many original features, including interiors ranging from Elizabethan to Edwardian.

Caerphilly Castle stands proud as the biggest castle in Wales, second only in size to Windsor Castle in all of Britain. Gilbert de Clare, a Marcher lord, built the castle quickly in the mid-1200s. The growing threat of the Prince of Wales, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, inspired his building work. Not long after, the castle passed to the infamous Hugh Despenser. A favourite of Edward II, Hugh remodelled the castle to match his fearsome reputation.

The Leaning Tower of Caerphilly

Several centuries later, the 17th century Civil War left one tower listing to the side. Still standing at a jaunty angle today, the 4th Marquess of Bute restored much of Caerphilly Castle in the first half of the 20th century. As one of the wealthiest men of his era, he spared no expense on the building project.

Covering 30 acres, or approximately 23 American football fields, Caerphilly is designed to intimidate and impress. Surrounded by artificial water defences, this can still be felt today. Caerphilly Castle, which seems to almost float on the water, is a dramatic sight indeed.

Cardiff Castle

Standing at the heart of the Welsh capital city, Cardiff Castle is a testament to nearly 2,000 years of history. Its story begins with the establishment of a Roman fort in the late 50s AD, followed by the great stone keep in the 11th century.

The Marquesses of Bute

Through the ages, Cardiff Castle passed between many noble families. Yet it was the Bute family that left an indelible mark. In the 19th century, the 2nd Marquess of Bute played a pivotal role in transforming Cardiff into a great coal port. This work catapulted the family’s fortune to new heights. His son, the 3rd Marquess of Bute, was reputed to be the wealthiest man in the world by the second half of the 19th century.

Cardiff Castle continued to stand as a great defence during WWII. The tunnels under the castle became air raid shelters for almost 2,000 people during the war. Following the war, the Butes gifted the castle to the city of Cardiff, marking a new chapter in its history.

Castell Coch

Castell Coch, or ‘The Red Castle’, emerges from the woods like something out of a fairytale. Gilbert de Clare (of Caerphilly Castle) built the castle in the 13th century. However, much of the building that stands today is 19th century work. Upon the wishes of the 3rd Marquess of Bute, his architect, William Buges, transformed the castle into an enchanting gem.

Castell Coch in Public Favour

Often voted as the public’s favourite Welsh building, Castell Coch is a blend of Victorian imagination and medieval history. The castle’s distinctive appearance and lush surroundings make it a romantic yet dramatic castle in Wales to visit.

Additionally, a mysterious legend surrounds the castle. It is said that a passage connects Castell Coch with Cardiff Castle, 8 km/5 miles away. However, anyone who has tried to explore this passage has been chased off by two giant eagles that guard the tunnel and the mysterious chest hidden within.