Castell Coch

lovely place in a mature wood . built in the late 1800’s on the ruins of a medieval castle , style copied from bavaria. its in a lovely spot and is often used in film sets

Castell Coch was built by the 3rd Marquess of Bute at the end of the 19th century on the site of a medieval castle. The castle is sited on the side of a steep hill surrounded by beech trees and has spectacular views towards Cardiff and across the narrow Taff Valley.

It looks from the outside like a fairytale castle, but it is only once you get inside that you realise just how special it is. The decoration is a masterpiece of Victorian medieval Gothic with elaborate brightly painted ceilings, wood carvings, and paintings. There are wall paintings on many walls including religious scenes and animals.

The wood above the castle is a nature reserve with many rare species. Note that the paths here are steep and unsurfaced, so wear walking shoes if you wish to explore.

Castell Coch is well worth the entrance fee and I thoroughly recommend it for a day trip you won’t forget.

A beautiful fairytale castle set on the Welsh wooded hillsides built as a folly in the 19th Century

Definitely worth a picturesque visit if you have the time

This is a beautiful castle with loads to see and do. And every room has information about what your seeing. The chapel windows are well worth walking up all those steps to see! There is a cafe and a gift shop selling all things Welsh, including Welsh chocolate....made in England
There is a steep but lovely walk through the mountain with plenty of places to stop and have a pinic.
An enjoyable afternoon out for all the family
you can now get free entry for under 16's by prining off an application form from the cadw website and it is valid in all cadw run sites

Castell Coch is a beautiful 19th-century 'fairy tale' castle in the north of Cardiff. I last visited the castle in July last year for a family wedding. The room where the ceremony took place was full of charm - ceilings and walls intricately hand-painted. The small castle is surrounded by woodlands, where people often take walks or cycle (I can't imagine cycling up the steep hill towards the castle - far too exhausting!).

Lets face it, every girl wants to feel like a princess on her wedding day, and the quaintness of the castle provides a magical venue for a wedding - I was jealous!

A word of advice! - if you're wearing sky-high heels, be careful walking up the drawbridge - I'm surprised I didn't trip up :-)

Fantastic cafe in the corner of the castle, it's warm and serves lovely food. good choice of home cooked cakes (i had victoria sponge, yummy) but also soups, sandwiches etc. also had a really good range of teas.
If you want to just go to the cafe you tell the guy on the gate that you want to do that and you won't have to pay the entrance fee.

Pretty expensive to get in but not so if your a student or a concession.

The castle looks like a “fairy tale” castle due to its setting in a forrest and visual surroundings so its great for young children.
There are alot of steps and stairs to disabled access may be difficult.

There is ample parking at the front of the castle

Great little castle- it’s surprising that so many people in Cardiff never actually get around to visiting this castle. It’s usually closed over the winter for restoration. In the summer it’s open, however you have to pay to go in- its free to walk around the grounds. There are also a number of walks from the castle- though these are quite steep, so possibly not suitable for younger children. On a good day, you can see the whole of Cardiff.

Castell Coch is a pretty little medieval castle situated on a steep hill just outside Cardiff in the area of Tongwnlais. Still completely in-tact, Castell Coch is a lovely place to visit. The castle itself is very small and most people would not consider it to be a castle. Its main room plays host to some medieval furniture and paintings and there is a small room attached to that which is used as a chapel and people can get married there. It is so small that only 25 guests are allowed.

The grounds around that castle make a very nice walk and it is also a lovely place to come by bike as it is on the Taff’s Trail which is a public footpath and trail for cyclists. It’s a lovely stopping point for a picnic. There is also a fair amount of parking if you’d prefer to drive and it is a popular spot for dog walkers.

As Castell Cork is situated on a hill, it can be seen from the A470 dual carriageway so you can’t miss it if you are driving and it is quite a spectacular sight.

Well worth a visit if you’re in the area.

A true fairytale castle!

We visited this castle to check it out for a potential wedding venue - the photographs if taken outside in the grounds would be stunning. I am sure that people who get married there really feel like a princess.

The only downside with getting married there is that there is a limit on the number of guests due to the size of the venue and that the time is limited. We got the impression that the wedding had to be within a set time period and we didnt want to feel rushed on our special day.

The castle is not what you expect inside - its full of bright, vibrant colours and its a really interesting place to wander round. For those with walking difficulties, there are a couple of places which are only accessible by steps which are quite steep with limited space.

The grounds are nice for walkaround and lots of people cycle along the Taff Trail from Cardiff Centre to the Castle. The picnic are is perfect for a family sit down and allows the grounds to be enjoyed by all the family.

I got married in this gorgeous castle in 2003 and, although it was expensive compared to other venues in Cardiff, it was worth every penny. It’s an absolutely beautiful setting and the photos look amazing. The guests were all stunned by how gorgeous it is. It looks like something out of a fairytale! The staff were all friendly and accomodating. The only downside was that the number of guests was very strictly limited, but other guests are always welcome to explore the castle and then join in for the photographs afterwards.
Honestly, there are no downsides to this castle. If you’re ever in the area it’s a must-see.

This fantastic castle, is like something out of the Bavarian Hillside. It is unique to Wales, and The Prisoner of Zenda was shot there. Couples also use this place as a venue to get married. Go, you wont be disappointed.

This is a really nice castle to go visit for a day out, not far from cardiff on the taff trail. It is an ideal place to take a picnic to and spend a day wandering around the castle and then going for a walk in the local area. Well worth visitng if you are are in the area, kids will love it as will the adults.

This fairytale castle remains in the memory long after your photos have faded. Set high on a hill, you can see it from most of north Cardiff and it beckons you as you drive along the M4 and A470. The castle was built by the Marquis of Bute in the 19th century. He was the Bill Gates of his day in that he earned more every hour than most people could dream of in a lifetime. This dreamlike castle was built at the behest of his wife and served as a holiday retreat for them (for no more than a few weeks a year). For me, the setting is as memorable a part of the visit as the castle itself. It stands amongst magnificent copper beech woods which are at their best in autumn. I recommend that you visit in spring or autumn. That way you can enjoy the peace and beauty of the place without the distraction of lots of other tourists.

The Fairy Castle! It truly is. My parents used to take me here when I was a kid and I now take my kids here. It is magical. Up on a hill, all turrets and gilding. The internal decoration is wild. Get your kids spotting all sorts of things. Then take them outside to spot fairies in the woods!!! Much better than the Disney Castle. A folly on a grand scale.

Castell Coch or the Red Caslte is set in woodland and can be seen from the busy A470 and the M4. It always looks so magical and is well worth a visit. There is a charge to go inside but you can walk around the outside for nothing.

There are lots of trails and woodland walks starting from outside the castle. You may be lucky enough to visit when there is a wedding taking place - not so sure I would be happy if it was my wedding. Children think it is a magical place, especially little girls who can imagine being princesses in the castle. If you enjoy visiting Castell Coch you will love Cardiff Castle.

Situated in the hills overlooking the River Taff, Castell Coch is a magnificent sight. When travelling past it as children we used to call it the ‘Fairy Castle’ and it lives up to any princess’s expectations.

The grounds outside are free to walk around, and there are many trails through the woods for youngsters and grownups alike to explore. The maps are particularly entertaining with directions marked in crayon effect.

The castle itself it very reasonably priced and the staff are very helpful. The rooms are magnificent and there are lots of nooks and crannies to discover.

Come rain or shine there’s lots to see and do, this is a great day out for all the family.

Situated on the Taff Trail this is a fantastic day out for the family.

It is picturesque and absolutely breathtaking!

I’d recommend a walk around the local area too. A great day out could be had by all!

I love Castell Coch - we have taken photographs of it to the US to granddaughter. She is convinced that a REAL Princess lives there - BLESS! We can’t wait to take her there when she visits, of course the Princess will be out visiting her subjects. As mere subjects we’ll picnic in the grounds.

Makes me smile every time we drive by it - there really should be a Princess in attendance! Magical!