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Between the latter half of the 13th and early part of the 14th century, Caerphilly castle continued to be the focus of Welsh forces, repeatedly coming under attacks during this time
This immensely imposing fortress was built as a sign of Anglo-Norman supremacy and no doubt would have stuck fear into the local inhabitants. Before its defences could be completed, the castle came under attack by the Prince of Wales in 1270, the very person it was being built to defend against. Caerphilly was also used administratively and for revenue collection. Between the latter half of the 13th and early part of the 14th century, Caerphilly castle continued to be the focus of Welsh forces, repeatedly coming under attacks during this time. In 1316, a force of ten thousand men under the leadership of Llywelyn Bren, tried to breach the castles defences. Much of Caerphilly Township was destroyed and the castles defences remained intact. By the middle of the 14th century a quiet calm be felled the countryside leading to parts of the castle to be abandoned. During the 15th century the Beauchamp family kept the castle in reasonable condition with a tidy sum being spent on upgrading the domestic accommodation. At the close of the century, the Beauchamp’s leased the castle to the Lewis family who then proceeded to rob the castle of its stone to improve their own domicile at Van Mansion.
The Marquees of Bute acquired Caerphilly Castle during the latter half of the 1700s. Restoration of the castle was started by the third marquees of Bute and was continued under the guidance of the fourth Marquees and later the state.
Today, as a result of these continual improvements, Caerphilly Castle is just as imposing and inspiring as she was when originally built by the Earl of Gloucester in the 13th century.
Tourist InformationAdmission charges: Adults £3.00 Children £2.80 Family £8.50 (2 adults & 3 children) Opening times: 01.04 - 01.06 9.30am - 5.00pm 02.06 - 28.09 9.30am - 6.00pm 29.09 - 26.10 9.30am - 5.00pm 27.10 - 31.03 9.30am - 4.00pm 11.00am - 4.00pm (Sundays) Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. No Dogs Allowed.
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Caerphilly Castle, located close to an earlier site of a Roman fort was begun in 1268 by Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester and is the largest castle in Wales, spanning some thirty acres of land.
