Wales is home to more castles per square mile than anywhere else in the world, with over 400 fortifications dotting its dramatic landscape. These magnificent structures tell the story of medieval conquest, resistance, and the eventual union of Welsh and English cultures, creating one of Europe's most impressive collections of military architecture.
From the imposing fortresses built by Edward I during his conquest of Wales to the romantic ruins that inspired Victorian poets and artists, Welsh castles offer windows into nearly a thousand years of turbulent history. Each castle has its own character and stories, reflecting the changing nature of warfare, politics, and society across the centuries.
Conwy Castle: Edward I's Masterpiece
Built between 1283 and 1287 as part of Edward I's conquest of Wales, Conwy Castle represents medieval military engineering at its most sophisticated. The fortress, with its eight massive round towers and high curtain walls, was designed to project English power across North Wales while providing an impregnable stronghold for the king's administrators.
What makes Conwy particularly remarkable is its state of preservation and the survival of the medieval town walls that connect directly to the castle. These walls, complete with 21 towers, create Britain's finest example of a medieval fortified town. Walking along the wall walk provides spectacular views across the Conwy estuary and surrounding mountains.
The Great Hall and Royal Apartments
Despite centuries of decay, visitors can still explore the castle's Great Hall, where medieval banquets and court sessions took place. The royal apartments, though now roofless, retain enough architectural detail to imagine the luxury that once existed within these formidable walls. The presence of fireplaces, window seats, and decorative stonework reveals that this was as much a palace as a fortress.
Photography Tips
The best views of Conwy Castle are from the opposite side of the estuary, particularly during sunrise when warm light illuminates the honey-colored stone. The suspension bridge built by Thomas Telford in 1826 provides an excellent foreground element, creating compositions that show the castle's relationship with its dramatic setting.
Caerphilly Castle: Europe's Second Largest
Covering 30 acres, Caerphilly Castle in South Wales ranks as the second-largest castle in Europe, surpassed only by Windsor. Built between 1268 and 1271 by Gilbert de Clare, it pioneered the concentric castle design that would later be perfected in Edward I's Welsh fortresses.
The castle's most distinctive feature is its elaborate water defenses, with artificial lakes and water-filled moats surrounding the entire complex. These defenses, fed by a diverted river, created an impregnable barrier that protected the castle throughout the medieval period and provides dramatic reflections for modern photographers.
The Leaning Tower and Great Hall
Caerphilly's famous leaning tower, which tilts at a more pronounced angle than the Tower of Pisa, resulted from Civil War demolition attempts in the 17th century. Rather than successfully destroying the structure, parliamentary forces succeeded only in creating one of Wales' most recognizable landmarks.
The reconstructed Great Hall, complete with medieval-style roof timbers, houses exhibitions about castle life and hosts regular medieval banquets. These events, complete with period entertainment and cuisine, provide immersive experiences that bring the castle's history to life.
Harlech Castle: The Fortress in the Sky
Perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop overlooking Cardigan Bay, Harlech Castle embodies the romantic ideal of a medieval fortress. Built by Edward I between 1283 and 1287, it commands spectacular views across the coastal plain to the Snowdonia mountains, earning it the nickname "the fortress in the sky."
Despite its relatively compact size, Harlech played a crucial role in Welsh history. It served as the court of Owain Glyndŵr during his rebellion against English rule in the early 15th century, making it temporarily the capital of an independent Wales. The castle's ability to withstand sieges became legendary, inspiring the stirring Welsh song "Men of Harlech."
The Gatehouse and Defensive Features
Harlech's massive gatehouse, rising to nearly 80 feet, serves as both the castle's strongest defensive point and its most impressive architectural feature. The gatehouse contained the constable's luxurious apartments, demonstrating how defensive necessity and residential comfort were skillfully combined in medieval castle design.
The castle's position on its rock makes it virtually impregnable from three sides, with only the eastern approach requiring massive defensive walls. This natural defensive advantage allowed the builders to create elegant residential spaces within the protected inner ward.
Chepstow Castle: Norman Foundations
Built immediately after the Norman Conquest in 1067, Chepstow Castle holds the distinction of being Britain's oldest surviving post-Roman stone fortification. Its position on cliffs above the River Wye commanded the border between England and Wales, making it a crucial strategic point for nearly 600 years.
The castle's evolution across six centuries of continuous development creates a fascinating architectural timeline. From the original Norman keep to Tudor domestic ranges, Chepstow demonstrates how castles adapted to changing military technology and lifestyle expectations while maintaining their fundamental defensive role.
The Great Tower and Medieval Defenses
Chepstow's Great Tower, built of distinctive yellow limestone, represents Norman castle building at its most impressive. The tower's massive walls, in places nearly 17 feet thick, were designed to withstand the siege engines of the medieval period while providing comfortable accommodation for the lord and his family.
Planning Your Castle Tour
Many Welsh castles are managed by Cadw (Welsh Historic Monuments), offering excellent value explorer passes for multiple visits. Summer months provide the longest daylight hours for photography and exploration, while winter visits often reward visitors with dramatic storm-light conditions and fewer crowds.
Raglan Castle: Renaissance Elegance
Built in the 15th century by Sir William ap Thomas and later expanded by William Herbert, Raglan Castle represents a transition from medieval fortress to Renaissance palace. Unlike earlier castles built primarily for defense, Raglan was designed to display wealth and sophistication while maintaining the appearance of a mighty fortress.
The castle's Great Tower, known as the Yellow Tower of Gwent, stands apart from the main castle complex, connected by a drawbridge. This arrangement provided ultimate security for the lord's family while creating one of the most imposing castle silhouettes in Wales.
The Long Gallery and State Apartments
Raglan's Long Gallery, though now ruined, was once one of the finest Renaissance rooms in Wales. Stretching nearly 200 feet in length, it provided space for entertainment, exercise, and the display of fine art collections. The elaborate stone carvings and window tracery that survive hint at the luxury that once existed within these walls.
Beaumaris Castle: The Perfect Fortress
Begun in 1295 as the final castle in Edward I's conquest of Wales, Beaumaris represents the pinnacle of medieval military architecture. Designed by Master James of St. George, the greatest military architect of his age, it incorporates every lesson learned from centuries of castle building and siege warfare.
The castle's concentric design, with its perfectly symmetrical plan and innovative defensive features, has been described by historians as the most technically perfect castle ever built. Though never completed due to Edward I's campaigns in Scotland, Beaumaris demonstrates medieval military engineering at its absolute zenith.
Innovative Defensive Features
Beaumaris introduced several revolutionary defensive concepts, including murder holes positioned to provide crossfire, sally ports for surprise attacks on besiegers, and carefully planned sight lines that eliminated blind spots. The castle's location on flat ground, unusual for a medieval fortress, demonstrates the architect's confidence in his defensive innovations.
Experiencing Welsh Castle Heritage
Visiting Welsh castles offers more than architectural appreciation; it provides connection with the dramatic events that shaped British history. These fortresses witnessed sieges, celebrations, betrayals, and triumphs that determined the fate of kingdoms and influenced the development of British culture.
Many castles now host living history events, where costumed interpreters demonstrate medieval crafts, combat techniques, and daily life. These events, particularly popular with families, provide context that transforms ancient stones into vivid historical narratives.
At Shiny Holdings, we've found that the most memorable castle visits combine historical knowledge with appreciation for the landscapes these fortresses were designed to control. The views from castle walls often reveal why these particular locations were chosen, showing how geography influenced medieval strategy and settlement patterns.
Welsh castles reward visitors who approach them with curiosity about the people who built, defended, and lived within their walls. Each fortress tells unique stories of ambition, conflict, and adaptation, creating connections across centuries that make history tangible and immediate.