You may have heard a
whisper that Wales has a castle or two. Indeed there are 641 at the
last count, meaning that we have more castles per square mile than
any other country in Europe. In fact almost every town or village
has some form of castle or fort.
And now thanks to a deal between Cadw and The
Friends of Manx National Heritage (FMNH) the historic
sites of Wales have now become free to visit to FMNH members from
the Isle of Man.
Good news that our heritage will be more open to visitors, but it
got me thinking - Which of our 641 castles is our best?
How about the imposing splendour of Caerphilly Castle. Very few
castles in Europe are as big as Caerphilly Castle. It dominates the
otherwise quiet market town in which it stands. It was built in the
13th Century and must have been a quite a fearsome site to
attacking enemies with its imposing walls and huge moat. Thankfully
they're a bit more welcoming to visitors today and have opened the
portcullis and put a bridge across the moat so you don't get your
feet wet on the way in.
Caerphilly Castle is a mere youngster compared to Chepstow Castle
as it dates from the 11th Century. As well as being the oldest it
was probably the most strategically important as it stands guard on
a hillside overlooking the River Wye which marks the border between
Wales and England.
It may not be as grand as Caerphilly or as important as Chepstow
but Ogmore Castle near Bridgend certainly makes up for this as
being one of the most picturesque. Sitting quietly on the banks of
the River Ewenny, access to the castle is via a set of stepping
stones which leads from the tiny hamlet of Merthyr Mawr and its
thatched cottages.
If it's grand castles that you want then there is none more
opulent than Cardiff Castle. Don't believe me? Then take a tour of
the apartments dating from the 1860s. You'll be amazed by the
lavishness and luxury in which the Marquess of Bute, at the time
the richest man in the world, once lived. As well as the
extravagant apartments the castle also has a Norman keep and Roman
walls. It's like all the castles of Wales rolled into one.
There's also the World Heritage Site castles of North Wales at
Caernarfon, Conwy, Beaumaris and Harlech or the romantic ruins of
Carreg Cenen sitting on a hilltop amongst the rolling hills of the
Towy Valley.
So many to choose from. So it's over to you, which one is your
favourite?