Wales may be one of the smallest countries in the United Kingdom but still has its own rich traditions and history.

Castles are a major part of this history and can be found all over the stunning Welsh landscape. There are well over 400 castles in Wales, more than anywhere else in the world!

Here are some of the most beautiful castles in Wales:

1. Conwy Castle

Located along the northern coast of Wales, Conwy Castle dates back to the time of King Edward I. It was built during his conquest, between 1283 and 1289. With its iconic round towers, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2. Caernarfon Castle

The colossal Caernarfon Castle was also built in the 13th century by King Edward I along the sea. In 1301, Edward gave his son and heir the castle, and the title Prince of Wales, a tradition which still exists.

3. Harlech Castle

Another of Edward I’s castles, Harlech Castle was built between 1283 and1295. This concentric sandstone castle was besieged during the Wars of the Roses and during the English Civil War. The damage was never repaired.

4. Cardiff Castle

Cardiff Castle was originally a 3rd-century Roman fort, a Norman Castle was later built atop it in the 11th century, followed by a larger (and more lavish) Victorian Gothic castle built by the third Marquess of Bute in the 19th century.

5. Pembroke Castle

Pembroke Castle is famous for being the birthplace of Henry VII in 1457. Originally a Norman fort built in 1093, it was fortified in the 12th century. The castle is located near the prehistoric Wogan Cave.

6. Caerphilly Castle

Caerphilly Castle is the largest castle in Wales, and the second largest in the UK after Windsor Castle. Covering over 30 acres, it was built in the 13th century by Gilbert de Clare, a Norman nobleman.

7. Powis Castle

Powis Castle stands out due to its red stone exterior. Originally built in the early 13th century it has had several alterations over the years, including the 17th-century baroque gardens.

8. Castell Coch

Just outside Cardiff, along the River Taff, sits Castell Coch, or the “Red Castle”. While the original foundations date back several centuries, the present castle was built in the 19th-century by William Burges for the third Marquess of Bute.

9. Beaumaris Castle

The perfectly symmetric concentric walls of Beaumaris Castle in North Wales was also a product of Edward I. Although it was left unfinished, it is noted for its technical brilliance.

10. Raglan Castle

Raglan Castle was begun in the 1430s by Sir William ap Thomas, the Blue Knight of Gwent. It is known for its large hexagonal keep, known as the Great Tower.

свернуть