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Round the World Travel Guide

Caerphilly Castle: The Largest Castle in Wales

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A view of Caerphilly Castle from inside the first gate
A view of Caerphilly Castle from inside the first gate

I stepped out of my hotel, under cover of an umbrella, and departed Cardiff by train for the short ride to Caerphilly Castle.

Covering a sprawling 30-acres, Caerphilly Castle is Wales' largest, and the second largest in the UK after Windsor Castle. The castle dominates the small town by the same name in which it's located.

Built in the late 13th century, it was the first to use concentric walls in Britain, and according to historian Allen Brown, it features “the most elaborate water defences in all of Britain.”

A rainbow appears after the rain passes in Caerphilly
A rainbow appears over Caerphilly

The castle grounds are no more than a five minute walk from the Caerphilly train station.

By the time I approached the main entrance, the clouds had parted, and a rainbow was arching it's way toward the moat.

The main entrance to the castle
The main entrance to the castle is the imposing outer east gatehouse, reached by crossing a bridge over the surrounding moat
View of Caerphilly, and the castle's main entrance, from atop the inner east gatehouse
View of Caerphilly, and the castle's main entrance, from atop the inner east gatehouse
View of the concentric defenses, and working side engines (catapults), from atop the inner east gatehouse
View of the concentric defenses, and working side engines (catapults), from atop the inner east gatehouse
The dining room features wooden timbers on the roof, and a massive, human-size fireplace
The dining room features wooden timbers on the roof, and a massive, human-size fireplace
The innermost courtyard at Caerphilly Castle
The innermost courtyard at Caerphilly Castle
The scale of Caerphilly's architecture is truly awe-inspiring
The scale of Caerphilly's architecture is truly awe-inspiring
A man fishes on the artificial lake surrounding Caerphilly Castle
The idyllic Welsh countryside forms the perfect backdrop for a fisherman on the artificial lake surrounding Caerphilly Castle
The Welsh flags fly above Caerphilly Castle, on what turned out to be a beautiful day
The Welsh flags fly above Caerphilly Castle, on what turned out to be a beautiful day

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My trip was made in partnership with Visit Wales, and included a complimentary stay at the The Parc Hotel by Thistle.

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  4. Absolutely gorgeous pictures! It’s just what a medieval castle should look like! I’m going to link a post to this article so my readers can enjoy your photos and story.

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