Skip to main content

Visitor Notice

Cadw has announced details of an investment of £5m in development works at Caerphilly Castle

All part of a wider £9.5m investment into Wales’ historic sites, the funding boost will see the 13th-century castle benefit from an extensive programme of conservation, site access improvements, and a complete overhaul of site interpretation.

During this time – online tickets will be available for weekends only. 

Follow the story

Due to the ongoing redevelopment works within the castle, venue hire and trade bookings will not be considered until further notice.

Thank you.

Overview

Fear of a Welsh prince inspired the mightiest medieval castle in Wales

Llywelyn ap Gruffudd didn’t build Caerphilly Castle. In fact he twice tried to knock it down before it was finished. But he was certainly its inspiration.

The rise of the powerful Prince of Wales persuaded Marcher lord Gilbert de Clare that he needed a fortress in double-quick time. And it had better be truly formidable.

So from 1268 de Clare constructed the biggest castle in Wales — second only to Windsor in the whole of Britain. Massive walls, towers and gatehouses were combined with sprawling water defences to cover a total of 30 acres.

That’s three times the size of Wales’s modern-day stronghold and home of Welsh rugby, the Principality Stadium.

On the death of Llywelyn this frontline fortress was transformed into a palatial home with a hunting park and northern lake. It passed into the hands of Edward II’s ruthless and greedy favourite Hugh Despenser, who revamped the great hall in ornate style.

By then Caerphilly must have appeared like some mythical castle floating in an enchanted lake. An effect oddly enhanced by the Civil War gunpowder that left the south-east tower at a precarious angle.

In fact Wales’s very own Leaning Tower — even wonkier than that of Pisa — is probably the castle’s best-loved feature.

How to visit

•    purchase your admission tickets on arrival (or book online)*
•    view our opening times and prices below
•    check Welsh Government health & safety advice before visiting.

*pre-booked tickets are non-refundable.

More about Caerphilly Castle


Opening times

Daily 9.30am–5pm

Last admission 30 minutes before closing

Daily 9.30am–6pm

Last admission 30 minutes before closing

Daily 9.30am–5pm

Last admission 30 minutes before closing

Daily 10am–4pm

Last admission 30 minutes before closing

Closed 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January


Prices & Tickets

Category Price
Member - Join now
Free
Adult
£10.10
Family*
£33.30
Disabled person and companion
Free
Juniors (Aged 5-17) / NUS / Armed Forces and Veterans
£7.10
Seniors (Aged 65+)
£9.50

*Admits 2 adults and up to 3 children 

All children under 5 receive free entry

 

Category Price
Member - Join now
Free
Adult
£10.60
Family*
£34.30
Disabled person and companion
Free
Juniors (Aged 5-17) / Students
£7.50
Seniors (Aged 65+)
£10.00

*Admits 2 adults and up to 3 children 

All children under 5 receive free entry

Blue Light Card holders receive 10% off admission (not available online)


Facilities

Access guide icon Baby changing icon Pay and Display car park icon Civil ceremony licence icon Dogs welcome icon Exhibition icon Gift shop icon Guidebook icon No drones icon No smoking icon Portable hearing icon Video presentation icon School visits icon Venue hire icon Wi-Fi icon Water refill station icon

Please read our accessibility guidance for information on how to plan your visit.

Caerphilly Castle — Access Guide

Toilets available with baby changing facilities.

There are both short and long stay pay and display car parks available; the short stay car park is approx 110m away. The long stay car park is approx. 500m away. There is dedicated accessible parking.

Please note: Caerphilly Castle Great Hall is not available for wedding bookings until August 2024.

Caerphilly Castle Great Hall 3D Tour

 

Dogs on leads welcome to access ground floor levels of the site.

On-site exhibition within monument.

Gift shop at this site offering a range of products and guidebooks.

Site guidebook available to purchase online and in selected visitor centres.

Cadw do not allow drone flying from or over its guardianship sites, except by contractors commissioned for a specific purpose, who satisfy stringent CAA criteria, have the correct insurances and are operating under controlled conditions.

Smoking is not permitted.

A portable induction loop is available.

A video presentation is available at this site.

To book your free self-led education visit to this site, go to our self-led education visits section.

While you're there, check out our free learning resources to help with your time travel adventure!

 

This site is available to hire for events, filming and exhibitions.

Cadw free public WiFi available at this site.

Water refill station available at this site.


Directions

Road
A468 (from Newport), M4 (J32), A470, A469 (from Cardiff).
Rail
1km/0.6mls Caerphilly, on the Cardiff-Bargoed Rhymney route.
Bus
Opposite, Caerphilly/Islwyn No 26, Cardiff-Caerphilly/Tredegar.
Bike
NCN Route No.4 (200m/219yards).

Postcode CF83 1JD

For further information, please contact: Traveline Cymru on 0800 464 0000 or National Rail Enquiries on 03457 48 49 50.


Contact us

Telephone 03000 252239

Email
CaerphillyCastle@gov.wales

Address
Caerphilly Castle
Castle St, Caerphilly CF83 1JD

For contractors, educational visits and deliveries please ring 02920 883143
Rydym yn croesawu galwadau’n Gymraeg / We welcome calls in Welsh.