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Cardiff Castle: A Museful Mingled Masterpiece
Published by Erin Pienaar, Writer
Country: United Kingdom 
The Experience
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Castle is the Norman Keep, a medieval dungeon or fortress structure dating back to the 12th century. The remains of a fireplace and a set of stairs are visible within the stone Keep, and if you ascend the stairs you will reach the top of the Keep, which offers a lovely view of the grounds. Norman Keep is encircled by a water-filled trench, and this miniature moat is often occupied by ducks. Standing atop the Keep and taking in the beautiful and peaceful surroundings, it is difficult to imagine that this was once the prison of Robert Duke of Normandy until his death in 1134. Prior to the Norman occupation, the Romans possessed what is now the site of Castle Cardiff. The Roman ruins were uncovered in the 1800s, and the remains of the Roman fort are visible at the base of the Norman walls. The separation between the Roman constructed walls and the Norman walls is demarcated by a thin layer of red sandstone.
The Victoria era is also represented at Cardiff Castle. In 1863, the third Marquees of Bute commissioned English architect William Burges to rebuild his Victorian mansion, and the Castle underwent large-scale renovations. Examples of Burges’ Victorian gothic revival style can be seen in the Clock Tower, which is decorated with Medieval shields and majestic courtly figures. The interior of the mansion holds more of Burges’ unique designs. Some of the more noteworthy rooms are the entrance hall (with its beautiful stained glass windows), and the overwhelmingly ornate Arab Room. The Arab Room of Cardiff Castle features a resplendent gilded ceiling and a chimney made of white marble and lapis lazuli. The library is also impressive, containing old books, stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the Bible, and finely-crafted doors and shelves. After its long history of altering ownership, the Castle was finally turned over to the city of Cardiff in 1947.
One might assume that the culmination of so many different time periods would create a disjointed design, but the blend of architectural styles results in Cardiff Castle having everything one would hope for in a castle. The Roman walls suggest an intriguing ancient history, the Norman Keep offers a romantic Medieval vision, and the Victorian mansion is the epitome of the Gothic revival style.
When to Go to Cardiff Castle
Odds n' Ends
Cardiff Castle hours of operation run March to October: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last tour 5 p.m.) and from November to February: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last tour 4 p.m.). Allow yourself at least two hours for your visit so you can enjoy everything the Castle has to offer.
There are two types of Cardiff Castle tickets available. The Essential Ticket is £8.95 for adults, £6.35 for children, and £7.50 for seniors and students. The visit includes the Interpretation Centre, an audio guide of the Castle grounds and the Norman Keep, and a selection of Castle apartments. The Premium Cardiff Castle Tour is £11.95 for adults, £8.50 for children, and £9.95 for seniors and students. The visit includes all the features of the Essential Ticket plus a 50-minute guided tour of the other Castle apartments.
Places to Stay Nearby
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More Experiences Nearby
- Experience a Twist on Traditional Snorkeling at the Bog Snorkeling Championship in Wales
- One of the dirtiest weekends in sports is held every August in the smallest town in Britain, Llanwrtyd Wells, population 606, and the cause is none other than the Bog Snorkeling World Championships. The racecourse is no more than a trench on the outskirts of Llanwrtyd, roughly 150 feet long and four 4 deep. Each year it draws over 100 participants from all over the world to compete for this coveted quirky championship title. To add to the hilarity, fancy dress and costumes are encouraged and rules govern against using conventional swimming strokes.46 miles away.
Carpe Diem! Book to do this experience now!
Starting from $45.13 per person.
Books and DVDs
Elsewhere on the Web
Media References
- Focus on . . . Cardiff - TimesOnlines.co.uk (newspaper)
- Introduction to Wales - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- Wales Trip Planner - NationalGeographic.com (magazine)
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