A castle or more!
Which castle do you recommend?
Only in Wales, with over 600 castles do we then have the ability to ask “well, what kind of castle would you like to see”? From Tan yr Eglwys Cottages, there is an amazing choice of castles to visit. Many are within a 30-60 minute car journey. However we are rarely surprised when guests arrive having researched castles and Pembroke or Cardigan Castles are first on their personal lists, despite the longer journey! Surprisingly within our small local authority, our only castle is seen by most people from the supermarket car park – the castle in Neath town centre! But, step outside just a few miles in any direction and there are castles galore to explore!
A Castle with A View. Weobley Castle.
Well by definition that is all castles. Our favourite view from a castle is peering out of the openings of Weobley Castle. Located at the far end of the Gower Peninsula – high above the grazing sheep on the salt marshes, looking over the Loughour Estuary.
A Rugged Castle. Carreg Cennen Castle
There is no better choice from the cottages than Carreg Cennen Castle, near to Ammanford. Perched high on a rocky ridge overlooking patchwork fields. Just a 30 minute car journey to a remote windswept setting!
A Seaside Castle. Oystermouth Castle
In Mumbles easily combines a castle visit, seaside walk, browsing in Mumbles small independent shops, coffees in great cafes and finally an ice-cream be it Joe’s or Verdi’s.
A Truly Welsh Castle. Dryslwyn Castle
As well as Carreg Cennen is an example of a castle built for Welch princes, simpler in style, but in remote, rural locations. Located 5 miles West of Llandeilo perched on a hilltop.
A Castle with A Moat and A Leaning Tower. Caerphilly Castle.
An hour away is Caerphilly Castle. It is one of the greatest Medieval castles and the 2nd largest in the UK after Windsor.
A Castle with A Tale. Laugharne Castle.
The reputation and allure of Laugharne Castle is in no small part added to by the presence of Dylan Thomas’ boathouse just around the corner.
Laugharne Castle.
An Ornate Castle. Cardiff Castle.
Cardiff Castle gives you 2 castles in 1 visit! The ruins of the Medieval castle are inside the walls of the opulent Victorian castle. The interior of the Victorian castle was designed by William Burgess – stained glass, rich murals, elaborate carvings in wood & marble with fine guildings. A tour is a must!
A Fairy Tale Castle. Castell Coch Castle.
Castell Coch Castle is glimpsed from the M4, perched high on a wooded hillside near Cardiff. It was originally constructed as a summerhouse for the Bute family. Castell Coch also many fine examples of the work of William Burgess.
A Musical Castle. Craig Y Nos Castle.
Craig Y Nos Castle. A castle by name but really a Victorian Gothic Country House which coincidentally is now a hotel. The music tale is fascinating. The adjoining Brecon Beacons Country Park grounds were once the gardens of the castle. Craig Y Nos was the home of Adelina Patti a famous 19th Century Italian opera singer.
A Castle on the Way to Wales (if coming from the Midlands). Raglan Castle.
Raglan Castle is situated off the A40 between Monmouth & Abergavenny. If travelling from the Midlands Raglan Castle makes an ideal place to break your journey to Tan yr Eglwys, a further 75 minutes away. This is a very impressive castle surrounded by lush countryside. Raglan is one of the youngest castles in Wales and built for a Welshman.
