Castles of Wales

Caernarfon Castle
Caernarfon, Wales

Caernarfon is the official Castle of the Prince of Wales. The Investiture of Prince Charles took place here in 1969. It was begun in 1283 A.D. and construction stopped in 1330, even though it was not completely finished.

Cardiff Castle
Cardiff, Wales

John Patrick Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute, was one of the last to live in the Cardiff Castle. He transformed it to the wonder it is today. He became the greatest patron of architecture ever known in Wales. The Castle was given to the people of Wales in 1947.

Cardiff Keep
Cardiff, Wales

Home for the defenders of the Cardiff Castle, the Keep sat on a mound, forty feet high, surrounded by a moat. It was built around 1091 by the Normans.   The Romans built the first fortress here in 54-68 A.D., during the reign of the Emperor Nero.

Chirk Castle
Chirk, Wales

The foundation for the castle was laid in 1295 for Baron Roger Mortimer. In 1595, the Myddleton family purchased the castle and their descendents live there today. A beautifully sculptured garden is one of the highlights of Chirk Castle.

Cilgerran Castle
Cilgerran, Wales

Cilgerran Castle was begun around 1220. It  stands on a high crag above a deep gorge with a river on one side and a powerful stream on another. The two great towers are prominent features of this castle.

Harlech Castle
Harlech, Wales

Built for King Edward I on the border of north Wales, Harlech Castle was begun in 1283. Construction was directed by James of St. George, a master architect of that era. It was one of our favorites.

Kidwelly Castle
Kidwelly, Wales

Kidwelly Castle, begun about 1100 A.D., is located high on a prominent ridge on the River Gwendraeth. It is a great example of a concentric castle, one defense wall within another, the inner wall towers overlooking the outer walls letting archers on both walls to fire simultaneously.