Cardiff Castle

Over het museum

Cardiff Castle grew from a Roman fort of the first century AD that guarded an important route into Wales. After the Norman Conquest a motte and bailey castle was built on the site, possibly begun by William the Conqueror himself, and in the early twelfth century Robert of Gloucester replaced the timber defences with the stone shell keep that still dominates the skyline.

The core of the residential house dates from the fifteenth century. In the nineteenth century the 3rd Marquess of Bute, a wealthy Victorian aristocrat, worked with the architect William Burges to transform the apartments into richly coloured and symbolic interiors. The Marquess also rediscovered the Roman fort in the late 1800s and began a programme of reconstruction, so Roman stonework can now be seen around the outer walls and in the visitor centre.

During the Second World War tunnels inside the castle walls served as air-raid shelters, with bunks, kitchens, toilets and first aid posts. The castle was given to the people of Cardiff by the 5th Marquess of Bute in 1947. Today it is also the setting for concerts and festivals.

Hoogtepunten

• Castle Apartments with their lavish Victorian interiors by William Burges
• Norman shell keep and battlement walks with views over the city
• Roman fort remains and the Chariot Corner mural
• Wartime shelters hidden in the castle walls
• Firing Line military museum, included in the castle ticket

Vaste collectie

• Castle Apartments – The Victorian apartments created by the 3rd Marquess of Bute and William Burges, with elaborate decoration and symbolism.
• Roman fort remains – Remains of the first-century Roman fort around the outer walls and in the visitor centre, with the Chariot Corner mural.
• Wartime Shelters – Air-raid shelter tunnels inside the castle walls from the Second World War, with sound recreating the period.

Opgericht

1080

Beheerder

Cardiff Council

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

The castle ticket gives free roaming for the whole day and includes the Castle Apartments, Norman Keep, Battlement Walks, Wartime Shelters and the Firing Line museum; visitors may leave and return the same day. Tickets can be bought online or at the ticket office. People who live or work in Cardiff can buy a Castle Key, which gives free admission for at least three years (extra fee of £8 for an adult on top of a castle ticket).

Toegankelijkheid

• Deels rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: niet aanwezig
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie

The visitor centre, including the Firing Line museum, café and shop, is fully accessible, and a lift links the ground floor, first floor and roof terrace, with level access along the battlement walks. The grounds are flat, though a cobbled path runs from the drawbridge. The Castle Apartments (stone and carpeted steps, 6 steps at the entrance) and the Norman Keep (about 50 steep stone steps) cannot be reached by wheelchair or pushchair. Accessible toilets are on the first floor of the visitor centre. The audio guide includes a British Sign Language tour (also available as a free app) and a version for visually impaired visitors in English and Welsh. Touch tours of the apartments can be arranged for pre-booked groups with visual impairments (029 2087 8100). A concession ticket is offered to disabled visitors, with a free carer. Assistance dogs are welcome; other dogs may enter the Public Square only. There is no on-site parking.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops

Family tickets are available, and the castle runs family events such as half-term activities and Santa visits. Pushchairs can be used in the visitor centre and grounds but not in the Castle Apartments or the Norman Keep. Children aged 5 to 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Education visits and workshops are offered for schools.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The main entrance is on Castle Street. When no event is taking place, the North Gate into Bute Park is also open. Coaches cannot drop off outside the castle; the nearest drop-off points are the lay-by on North Road and outside the National Museum Cardiff.

Service & horeca

• Café
• Museumwinkel

The café with a licensed bar (Keep Terrace) is on the terrace in the Public Square and has covered outdoor seating; entry to the square is free. There is also a gift shop.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

• Ruimtes te huur
• Bruiloften / trouwceremonies

Weddings and venue hire are offered; room details are on the website.

Je bezoek plannen