Hi, my name is Ray. I'm originally from Ashford, Kent but am currently working as an economist in ...
Hi, my name is Ray. I'm originally from Ashford, Kent but am currently working as an economist in Malaysia. I enjoy travelling, good food,non-league soocer and Formula 1 motor-racing and love writing about these passions. Hope you enjoy reading my ...
Member since:21.06.2000
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The Welsh capital city of Cardiff has a few surprises in store for the first time visitor including a delightful civic precinct in white Portland stone, the glistening world-class Millennium Stadium, the rejuvenated Cardiff Bay and lush, verdant, parkland. However, almost certainly the biggest surprise of all is the fairytale Castle bang, slap in the city centre.
I have stayed in the elegant Angel Hotel twice on visits to Cardiff and right opposite the hotel is the wonderful sight of Cardiff Castle. I have visited this masterpiece twice and on the last visit took a guided tour, which is well worthwhile. Our guide was incredibly well versed about the history of the castle and its former owners.
Although dating back to Roman Times, the castle was substantially redeveloped when it was owned by the Marquess of Bute – who reputedly was the richest person in Europe. He engaged William Burges a very eccentric English architect to refurbish the place. Burges, who was often seen walking the streets of Cardiff with a parrot on his shoulder, shared many interests with the Marquess, including a love of birds, history and the Orient.
Most of the rooms in the Castle are open to the public including the kitchen, library, main bedrooms, the card room and reception rooms. All are very elaborately decorated and birds, Egyptian numerology, and the family crest feature prominently. The rooms and their furnishings are certainly very impressive.
There is a Moat in the castle grounds and the grounds themselves are lush and you will see the colourful peacocks strutting about on the lawns. There is a small tea-room and a gift shop which not only sells momentos of the Castle itself but a good selection of Welsh made crafts and souvenir items. We bought a nice Welsh costume doll, a guidebook and a set of slate coasters with a drawing of the castle embossed on them.
The castle also houses military museums including that of the Welsh cavalry regiment, the Queens’ Dragoon Guards and the other the Royal Regiment of Wales. In the latter you will learn about the heroics of the South Wales Borderers at the Battle of Rourkes Drift in the Zulu War.
In conclusion I would thoroughly recommend a visit to Cardiff Castle and I would set-aside at least a couple of hours for the visit.
Usual excellent op, I love to visit Cardiff.....Robin
oneshallstand 20.08.2001 11:24
It's amazing how most Cardiff Residents take the castle for granted, but it is a wonderful feature. Good Op, Thanks.
ciaobob 20.08.2001 10:35
I have often visited South Wales and yet, except for business visits, I have always by-passed Cardiff. Next time, however, I shall make a point to visit the Castle. Thanks for that.
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Advantages: Something for everyone and a few surprises to boot. Disadvantages: The Normans didn’t have wheelchair users in mind when they built the keep.
NumboJumbo 20.08.2000 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: off topic
Review of Cardiff Castle
Advantages: Something for everyone and a few surprises to boot. Disadvantages: The Normans didn’t have wheelchair users in mind when they built the keep.
NumboJumbo 20.08.2000 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: off topic
Review of Cardiff Castle
![Stereophonics - Live At Cardiff Castle [DVD] [1998]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/76399679.jpg "Stereophonics - Live At Cardiff Castle [DVD] [1998]")
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