Castell Coch

...Wales will be familiar with Castell Coch - although they probably aren't too sure what it was called - now you know!

If you look to the right as you cross the junction with the A470, you'll see its beautiful turrets rising above the trees and the river with its picturesque bridge. Its one of those 'landmarks' in the area that everyone will have seen and appreciated driving past, and for those who haven't, even the glimpse from the ...
...and out.

Castell Coch is an olde-worlde castle that looks like it stepped right out of Hans Christian Anderssen, and certainly wouldn't look out of place in a Disney Theme Park as sleeping beauty's castle - only this one is far more like the real McCoy, complete with turrets, a drawbridge, moat and interior courtyard. It is set on a steep hill with a forest on the lower slopes.

Unlike many castles, this one isn't a ruin, ... more

Anyone who has driven along the M4 through South Wales will be familiar with Castell Coch - although they probably aren't too sure what it was called - now you know!

If you look to the right as you cross the junction with the A470, you'll see its beautiful turrets rising above the trees and the river with its picturesque bridge. Its one of those 'landmarks' in the area that everyone will have seen and appreciated driving past, and for those who haven't, even the glimpse from the M4 is well worth the drive!

WHERE IS IT?

It is located in a place called Tongwynlais (pronounced Ton - gwin - lies), about a mile off the M4 down the junction with the A470. It is very well signposted from the M4, but that said, as you can see it anyway, directions from there are probably superfluous! Its very close to Cardiff, and given its location, is very accessible for a day out.

WHAT IS IT?

I visited this place as a child and was able to play princess for a day. I have since taken my children there, and I'm sure they will do the same with theirs..... its one of those few places that really does look the part, inside and out.

Castell Coch is an olde-worlde castle that looks like it stepped right out of Hans Christian Anderssen, and certainly wouldn't look out of place in a Disney Theme Park as sleeping beauty's castle - only this one is far more like the real McCoy, complete with turrets, a drawbridge, moat and interior courtyard. It is set on a steep hill with a forest on the lower slopes.

Unlike many castles, this one isn't a ruin, and is fully furnished, so you have the ornate decoration of both furniture and stunning ceilings etc. to appreciate as well as the design of the building itself, and the whole thing, the setting, the building, the interior, is quite breathtaking. The ceilings are adorned with gold, and tableaux and the whole impression is stunning.

ANY HISTORY?

Well, looking at the castle, you'd imagine it dated back many hundreds of years, but in fact was built in towards the end of the 19th Century for the Marquis of Bute (who also owned Cardiff Castle, another intact beautiful castle which is open to the public).

It was designed as a 'fantasy', although the Marquis died before its final completion and thus never lived there, which seems very sad given the love and care given in its creation. Disney attempt to create this type of castle in their theme parks, but they don't even come close to this grown-man's fantasy home.

The fact it was designed as an indulgence rather than a genuine, ancient relic does not in any way detract from its beauty.

HOW LONG DOES A VISIT TAKE?

Not that long, sadly, about an hour at the outside, and it costs around £6.00 per adult to get in, although a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) is a lot cheaper. Its free for CADW (Welsh equivalent of National Trust) members. It isn't an escorted tour, so you could take longer for small children to play Sleeping Beauty, however as you would expect, they aren't allowed to climb on the beds!

In addition to the castle, the forest has walks and I would recommend this, we spent another hour just having fun in the forest, took a picnic and enjoyed a pleasant half-day.

ANYTHING ELSE IN THE AREA?

So much that you couldn't fit it all in in one day - here's just a few suggestions:

NANTGARW CHINA WORKS (A little further up the A470) - a wholly guided tour of the birthplace of this very rare porcelain which was only produced for a few years costs £1 for adults and takes about 2 hours. (Not really suitable for very small children, they'd get bored, but interesting for older ones to compliment history classes)

GORNOS SPECIALITY FOODS

Gwaelod-y-Garth, just the other side of the A470, this little deli/factory shop produces authentic Italian Pepperoni, sausages and cheeses, and you can't buy them in many other places, well worth a visit.

CARDIFF CASTLE

In the centre of Cardiff, another intact castle. I haven't been for years, but remember it well!

SHOPPING (my favourite)

Both Pontypridd (further up the A470) and Cardiff (other direction) offer a wide range of shops and have traditional markets.

EATING

I should tell you somewhere nearby, however I'm instead going to shamelessly suggest you drive to Ogmore by Sea and come and have some nice Italian food in my new restaurant! For those of you (no doubt the majority) who want something closer, if you drive a few miles up the A470, on the left, you'll see Makro, a Macdonalds and Frankie and Benny's Restaurant, all of whom offer food (I like Frankie and Benny's, which is Italian/American - great ice cream!)

Anyhow, I hope thats given some other parents a few ideas, I hope you enjoy your visit to Castell Coch - I know I did! 

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