A journey through 2,000 years of history at Cardiff Castle

The history of Cardiff Castle begins in the 1st century AD, when the Romans, and in particular William the Conqueror, built the first of several forts on this strategic site. The history of this place continued centuries later, when in the 11th century the Norman Lord of Gloucester built the castle's imposing keep, which is still one of the most memorable parts of the castle today.

What's more, over the years, the castle has been home to many lords, each influencing the building in a different way. In fact, Cardiff Castle as we know it today owes much of its grandeur to the Bute family, who played a crucial role in shaping the castle. Indeed, during the 19th century, the third Marquess of Bute, John Crichton-Stuart who was known as the richest man in the world at the time, began a collaboration with renowned architect William Burges to transform the interiors of the mediaeval structure. As a result, the castle was transformed into an opulent Victorian Gothic residence, adorned with murals, stained glass, marble and wood carvings that give a glimpse of the extravagant lifestyle of the era.

In addition, during the Second World War, air raid shelters were created within the walls of Cardiff Castle to ensure the safety of its inhabitants. Thousands of citizens sought refuge within the thick walls of the castle during the Nazi aerial bombardments.

In short, the castle has been used and reused over the years, making it a unique place of history. It is now open to the public as a museum, after parts of the Roman stronghold were rebuilt in the 20th century.

Take the opportunity to explore one of the most popular attractions in Wales. Not only does this unique castle host a variety of festivals and cultural events throughout the year, it is also a museum full of surprises, allowing you to explore the stories of lords, mediaeval heroes and wars.

Explore the castle's various collections to get a better idea of what life was like at the time. Discover the Roman walls, remnants of the original Roman fortifications, which can be seen outside the castle and inside the visitor centre.

Try seeing the castle's main attraction in a whole new way. In fact, climb to the top of the Norman Keep for a glimpse of the interiors and finish with panoramic views of Cardiff's cityscape and surrounding green spaces.

Then, head to the Victorian apartments and step inside the sumptuous Victorian gothic interiors. From the smallest to the largest detail, you can spend a long time observing the architect's magnificent work. So take a good look and even look up, as you don't want to miss this work of art.

What’s more, you can also walk through the reconstructed air-raid shelters and find out what life was like for the people of Cardiff during the war, with a moving exhibition on this era

After a long journey through the history of Wales, head to the Castle Café to relax for a while. Located on the castle's terrace, it's the ideal place for a quick cold lunch or a snack while enjoying the atmosphere of the castle. You can also enjoy the fresh breeze from the castle's lawn. In fact, the café is part of the public square, an open air space which is located right next to the castle's green space. You can enjoy this area free of charge during visiting hours, while enjoying a beautiful view of the castle. Ideal for a picnic, right?

📍 Address:

• Castle St, Cardiff CF10 3RB, United Kingdom

🕒Opening times:

• The castle is open daily from 10am to 6pm on weekdays and from 9am to 6pm on weekends, with final admission at 5pm from March to October. From November to February, the same opening times apply, but the museum closes an hour earlier, at 5pm.

🎟️ Admission : You can buy your ticket online in advance or directly from the ticket office.

• Adult: £15.50
• Senior/Student: £12.50
• Child: £10.50