One of the most heavily visited tourist attractions in Wales is the beautiful Cardiff Castle, recognized for it’s massive 12 sided Keep atop a small hill in the center of it’s ground. I had the pleasure of leisurely exploring the castle grounds, and I recommend any traveller in Wales take a good chunk of time (about 1.5-3 hours) to truly experience everything this site has to offer.

An adult day ticket is 13.50 Pounds, with an optional additional 3.75 pounds to take part in a house tour. I opted to not do the house tour, as to me walking around and reading displays feels more flexible and allows me time to just be in the moment. It should be noted though that with the house tour one gains access to many rooms that are not accessible to regular day pass visitors.

Enjoy the View

Upon entering the castle grounds, I was immediately drawn to the Keep. There may be 50 steps to climb, and more to reach a good vantage point of the grounds, but you will be met by a view well worth your effort. I took this picture from the first balcony as I liked framing the grounds with the fence and stone window, but from the top one can actually view far beyond the castle grounds into the Cardiff city.

Spend Time With The Details

Cardiff Castle is incredibly rich in design, architecture, and art. The unique murals, carvings and stained glass were created by an architect William Burges as he remodeled the space for the 3rd Marquess of Bute, known to be one of the richest men in the world in the 1860s. At cultural sites like this one, I strongly recommend anyone just stopping and soaking in what it is you’re seeing. Notice something about your surroundings that most people who pass by don’t, find a detail that has been overlooked, question why something was designed the way it was. The signage and experts at the castle might not have all the answers for you, but when you take the time to explore on your own and ask questions about the space, you can experience a deeper level of understanding about the history that you’re standing in the middle of.

Go Underground

So you’ve seen the grounds, you’ve toured the rooms, and now you’re wondering what’s left to do! Many people don’t realize that under the castle walls there are actually tunnels that were dug out during the Second World War and used to shelter up to 1800 people at a time! These hallways may look dark and dreary, but there’s mystery in these hidden walkways that leaves any visitor curious about their past.

In Conclusion

Take your time, feed your curiosity, and admire the little details that make this place so unique. If you find yourself with extra time, sit down for a while. I spent 30 minutes just sitting on a bench on one of the castle walls watching the crowds, and experiencing the moment.