Wales is renowned for its incredible castles, meaning there are plenty of opportunities for a family day out
They say Wales has more than 600 castles. Each has a story to tell, usually with a breathtaking view of mountain or sea.
What’s more there’s often something going on behind the battlements – medieval jousts, falconry displays, dragon parades and hands-on family fun. Here are 10 that children will love.
Conwy Castle
Conwy is the complete medieval package. A bracing stroll around the most intact town walls in Europe culminates in the monstrous, eight-towered pile of Conwy Castle.
It so impressed Thomas Telford that he designed the next-door suspension bridge to match. A new art installation reflects the castle’s history.
Pembroke Castle
Dozing in a placid millpond, Pembroke Castle hides a tumultuous past. Birthplace of Henry VII and once besieged by Cromwell, its five-storey circular keep and cunningly designed gatehouse still thrill after seven centuries.
With living history days, falconry displays, dragon parades, outdoor theatre and even rock concerts there’s abundant entertainment, plus a vast, prehistoric cavern in the basement.
Carreg Cennen Castle
Carreg Cennen is the ultimate romantic ruin. Scale the 300ft crag on which it perches and you’ll be alone with the crumbling walls, the cry of the birds and the panoramic views of the Brecon Beacons National Park: on a clear day you can see for 60 miles. If you dare, explore the secret tunnel that leads to a cave and freshwater spring.
Romantic ruin: enjoy panoramic views from the top of Carreg Cennen Castle CREDIT:VISIT WALES
Harlech Castle
Squatting on a sheer sea cliff, Harlech Castle must have looked impregnable – until it fell in 1404 to the last true Prince of Wales, Owain Glyndwr.
Today both sea and besiegers have retreated, leaving a textbook example of concentric castle design. It’s ruined enough to be romantic but sufficiently intact to retain plenty of panoramic wall walks, and a spectacular “floating bridge” now enables access for all.
Caerphilly Castle
Covering 30 acres of moats, islands and ramparts, Caerphilly is the second largest castle in Britain.
Even Cromwell couldn’t knock it down, though he did leave the “leaning tower” 10ft out of true, at an even crazier angle than Pisa’s. Look out for the working siege engines and locations where they filmed BBC TV’s Merlin.
Penrhyn Castle
All right, it’s a 19th-century fake, but what panache! Built on the profits of slate and slavery, Penrhyn Castle channelled the cacophony of the quarry and the toil of the plantation into a riot of fluted columns, carved balusters, grinning gargoyles and elaborate stained glass.
The neo-Norman pile also boasts a steam locomotive museum, working Victorian kitchen and 60 acres of grounds, all presented with National Trust efficiency.
Cardiff Castle
More a complete heritage experience than a mere fortress, Cardiff Castle was transformed into a late-Victorian folly with opulent interiors spanning Gothic to Arabian.
Attractions include tours of the Second World War air-raid shelters, a multimedia military museum and regular events from jousting and Welsh banquets to August’s Grand Medieval Mêlée of knightly prowess. Don’t miss the tour of the gorgeously gaudy clock tower.
Chepstow Castle
Begun by William the Conqueror in 1067 Chepstow Castle is the oldest post-Roman stone fortification in Britain.
Building continued until 1690, creating a living lesson in six centuries of military architecture – you can still see the 800-year-old wooden gates in the exhibition centre.
There’s a regular programme of plays and concerts, and the narrow, cliff-top site above the swirling River Wye adds an air of magic.
Caernarfon Castle
Seven centuries after its building Caernarfon Castle remains one of the most formidable fortresses in Europe.
It’s no crumbling ruin but a largely intact memorial to medieval military muscle, yet its polygonal towers and string courses in coloured stone give it an almost contemporary look. Kids love zipping up and down all those spiral staircases, too.
Dolwyddelan Castle
The lonely tower of Dolwyddelan was built by Llewellyn the Great to control a strategic mountain pass. The English captured it and built another tower, but this fell down.
Poetic justice? Llewellyn’s pile still stands proud on its crag, offering a classic sheep-and-fells view of Snowdonia’s foothills. It’s so remote you’ll probably have it to yourself.
Epic adventures
Wales is a land of majestic mountains, mighty skies, a beautiful coastline and high adventure, with bright new ideas in very old places.
With speedy road and rail links from London, the South East and everywhere else in Britain, it’s very easy to reach. And, once you’re there it’s easy to get around.
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