Wales is home to many, many castles. From huge ones like Conwy and Caernarfon, to romantic castles like Castell Coch to ones slap bang in the middle of a city centre like Cardiff Castle Wales really is spoilt for choice with castles.
There are some hidden castles which are spectacular and you might not know about. There are castles in places you would not expect to find a castle and castles in isolated locations which means the castle has remained mostly hidden.
Here is our roundup of some of Wales's best hidden castles, which many don't know about. If you are looking for a castle you can stay in, yes you can rent some castles for a holiday, click here and if you are looking for the most romantics castles in Wales click here. You can keep up to date with the latest What's On news by signing up to the newsletter here.
READ MORE: Perfect villages to visit that are just over the Welsh border
Bronllys Castle, Powys
This motte-and-bailey castle has been standing since the late 11th or early 12th century near Bronllys in Powys. You can still climb the tower’s three floors, where far-reaching views from the highest levels give a good idea of the site’s strategic importance – its location in disputed Marches border territory saw the castle pass from English to Welsh hands several times over the centuries.
The castle is open all year round from 10am to 4pm, closed only on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. The castle is free to enter and owned by Cadw.
Dolwyddelan Castle, Snowdonia
Dolwyddelan Castle was built as one of a group of fortresses built to command the mountain passes. The castle can not be visited but can be viewed externally.
There is a layby on the A470 – 500m to the east of the monument with a public right-of-way leading up to the monument which can be viewed externally. The castle is owned by Cadw.
Ewloe Castle, Higher Shotton
Unconventionally, Ewloe Castle is built in a forest. On the Welsh and English border, near Higher Shotton, there are little records for Ewloe Castle making its history unknown.
The castle is open all year round from 10am to 4pm, closed only on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. The castle is free to enter and owned by Cadw.
Montgomery Castle, Montgomery
Montgomery is one of those castles that, even in ruin, retains a powerful atmosphere and presence that transcends its state of preservation. Situated along the Welsh and English border the castle was demolished in 1649, leaving just the crumbling towers and low walls that stand today.
From April 1 to September 30 the castle is open daily from 10am to 6pm. From October 1 to March 31 the castle is open daily from 10am to 4pm and closed only on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. The castle is free to enter and owned by Cadw.
St Quentin's Castle, Llanblethian
Probably built by English nobleman and military commander Gilbert de Clare in the early 14th century, the most notable remnants of this castle are its huge, twin-towered gatehouse and high stretch of curtain wall on the north of the site. Located in Llanblethian, south Wales, the castle is open all year round from 10am to 4pm, closed only on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. The castle is free to enter and owned by Cadw.
Llansteffan Castle, Llansteffan
More known as a destination for the beach and a seaside trip Llansteffan is also home to a castle. Situated on the headland the castle overlooks the green farmlands, swirling sea and gleaming sands of the Tywi Estuary and Carmarthen Bay.
The castle is open all year round from 10am to 4pm, closed only on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. The castle is free to enter.
Dolbadarn Castle, Snowdonia
Known as the solitary guardian of Snowdonia’s Llanberis Pass Dolbadran Castle overlooks the waters of Llyn Padarn. The castle was built in the late 12th or early 13th century.
The castle is open all year round from 10am to 4pm, closed only on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. The castle is free to enter and owned by Cadw.
Dinas Bran Castle, Llangollen
This castle ruin towers high above the Dee Valley and it is a steep walk up to reach the ruins, with walking shoes recommended. The castle first appears in 12th century historical documents as part of a medieval piece entitled "Fouke le Fitz Waryn,"or "The Romance of Fulk Fitzwarine."
The castle is open all year round and free to visit. Dinas Bran Castle is owned and maintained by Denbighshire council, with the assistance of Cadw.
Ruperra Castle, Caerphilly
One of the only pageant castles in the UK, Ruppera is not accessible to visit as it is privately owned but there are a number of view points from public footpaths. Views can be obtained from public footpaths and from Coed Craig Ruperra, the woodland to the north.
You can visit the Ruperra Castle website here to look at the public footpaths and routes available to view the castle.
Dinefwr Castle, Tywi Valley
Perched in a commanding hilltop position above the Tywi Valley, Dinefwr Castle is open daily from 10am to 5pm closed only on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. The castle is currently undergoing some maintenance works so there is no vehicle or disabled access to the castle and there is restricted access to the castle wall walk.
Dinefwr Castle is free to visit and owned by Cadw.
Dryslwyn Castle, Tywi Valley
Also in the Tywi Valley is Dryslwyn Castle which was founded in the 13th century and is open daily from 10am to 4pm closed only on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. The castle is free to enter and owned by Cadw.
Oxwich Castle, Gower
Another area which you would visit for a trip to the beach rather than for a castle is Oxwich Castle. The castle is open on selected weekends from May to October and is free to visit for Cadw members.
For non Cadw members it is £4.80 for adults, £3.40 for children aged five to 17 and a family ticket for two adults and up to three children is £15.80.
Aberystwyth Castle, Aberystwyth
Adding to the list of places where you might not expect to find a castle, or know there was one there, is Aberystwyth Castle. Aberystwyth Castle was built, along with Flint Castle, Rhuddlan Castle and Builth Wells castle, by King Edward I as part of his campaign against the Welsh.
The castle is owned by Aberystwyth council and open every day. Aberystwyth Castle is free to visit.
Flint Castle, Flint
Flint Castle has a unique and unusually sophisticated design. Started in 1277 and largely completed by 1284, the castle is dominated by the great tower (or donjon) at its south-east corner.
The castle is open daily from 10am to 4pm and closed only on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. Flint Castle is owned by Cadw and free to visit.
Old Beaupre Castle, Cowbridge
This medieval fortified manor house with extravagant Tudor additions was built in two stages, the older part was constructed around 1300 while a major renovation in the 16th century by the Bassett family produced some of its most impressive remaining features. The castle is open daily from 10am to 4pm closed only on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. Old Beaupre Castle is owned by Cadw and free to visit.
Bryn Bras Castle, Caernarfon
This is a castle you can stay in, at the foothills of the Snowdonia National Park. The apartments are self-catering and the castle was originally built between 1829 and 1835. You can find more about about staying at Bryn Bas Castle here.
Manorbier Castle, Pembrokeshire
Currently closed for the winter until March 2023 this Norman castle is also a wedding venue. Tickets to the castle cost £6 for adults, £4 for seniors and £4 for children.
A family ticket, two adults and two children, for Manorbier Castle costs £18. The castle closes for winter and opens in the spring.
Carreg Cennen Castle, Llandeilo
Voted the most romantic ruin in Wales by readers of Countryfile magazine Carreg Cennen Castle is perched on a great limestone crag nearly 300ft/90m above the River Cennen. The castle is open from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm from November to March and until 5pm for the rest of the year.
Only closed on Christmas Day entrance to the castle costs £6.50 for adults, £6 for over 65's, £4 for concessions and family tickets, two adults and up to three children, for £20.
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