Is Cardiff Castle Worth Visiting? Everything You Need To Know

Last Updated on 14th September 2023

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The Ultimate Guide To Visiting Cardiff Castle - What You Need To Know

Are you planning a trip to Cardiff and wondering is Cardiff Castle worth visiting? I’ve covered everything you need to know about visiting the famous Cardiff Castle in this extensive guide!

Boasting over 2000 years of turbulent history and fascinating tales, Cardiff Castle is one of the most intriguing attractions in Wales and it’s an absolute must-visit while you’re in the capital city.

Thought to date all the way back to 50AD, this magnificent feat of architecture cannot be missed while you’re visiting Cardiff as the impressive stronghold beckons you in with its towering walls, spectacular keep and its intriguing apartments, not to mention the remarkable war tunnels that are hidden within the castle walls themselves.

On our trip to the city, we were lucky enough to explore Cardiff Castle with Visit Cardiff and we spent a good chunk of time exploring everything it had to offer.

Oftentimes, I find entry tickets to castles and other historic attractions to be severely overpriced for the experience you receive, but I can honestly say that a visit to Cardiff Castle is worth every penny and it’s now probably one of my favourite castles in the UK!

If you’re planning a trip to Cardiff, be sure to check out my post below about all the reasons why visiting Cardiff Castle is a must!

Is Cardiff Castle worth visiting?

Cardiff Castle is 100% worth visiting! It’s one of the best castles I’ve visited in the UK as there is so much to see and do both inside and outside the fortress walls. You can easily spend a whole afternoon exploring the entire castle complex!

Inside the castle

My first impression of Cardiff Castle was that it’s absolutely enormous! The grounds are huge and there are so many different areas to explore that you could easily spend hours exploring everything it has to offer.

We spent just over an hour visiting Cardiff Castle which gave us plenty of time to see and do everything we wanted, but if you want to grab a bite to eat while you’re there or browse the castle gift shop, be sure to give yourself a little longer.

Wartime tunnels

The wartime shelters were the first part of Cardiff Castle that we explored and unless you’re told that they’re there, you’d never know about these hidden tunnels!

The tunnels already existed before the war, but during WW2, these tunnels provided air-raid shelters for the people of Cardiff and could fit more than 1800 people at a time within the walls!

It’s a truly eerie and harrowing experience walking through these seemingly never-ending shelters, but it’s also fascinating to think how many people took refuge within the castle walls during the war. I’d highly recommend spending some time down there and imagining what it must have been like for everyone involved.

Roman Chariot Corner

Also hidden within the castle walls in the southeast tower of the castle, you’ll find the Roman Chariot Corner, which is a remarkable mural made from cement and plaster and coated in metallic gold paint.

The mural was created by local artist, Frank Abraham, in 1981 and was completed in 1983. The mural is spread out across various sections and depicts numerous parts of history.

You’ll find a mural dedicated to the Silurian village life during the 1st century, as well as men working in an armoury and a battle that was fought and won by the Romans. The last section of the mural shows a giant Roman charioteer and several other scenes such as children playing, people eating and more.

It really is an incredibly cool part of the castle and well worth a visit.

Cardiff Castle apartments

Unfortunate, the Cardiff Castle apartments aren’t quite lavish Airbnb residencies where you can enjoy your visit to Cardiff City.

They are, however, a beautiful part of the castle, both from the inside and outside.

There are many rooms located throughout the castle apartments, including a grand hall with towering ceilings adorned with elaborate details and lavish embellishments, plus a study room, an Arab room, dining hall, drawing room, library and more.

Each room is uniquely and intricately designed and each one is more beautiful than the last. The grand banqueting hall feels like something straight out of Harry Potter and with its imposing ceilings and spectacular tapestries, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d walked straight into Hogwarts.

The library was probably my favourite part of the castle apartments as it was filled with timeless classics from some of the world’s most famous authors.

While you’re not permitted to sit and peruse the many books of generations gone by, it feels like a wonderful place to spend a few minutes soaking up the calm, quiet ambience before heading back outside to the chaos.

Is Cardiff Castle worth visiting? – exterior

Cardiff Castle’s dignified exterior is a sight to behold in itself and it’s worth spending some time simply mooching around the grounds and gardens of the castle.

Norman Keep

One of the most notable features of Cardiff Castle is undoubtedly the Norman Keep that sits proudly on a small hilltop overlooking the castle grounds and beyond.

The keep reminded me somewhat of Warkworth Castle in Northumberland and you can’t deny its photogenic aesthetic. After walking up approximately 50 steps to reach the keep’s doors, you’ll be treated to wonderful views of the castle grounds and the enormous Principality Stadium that resides just over the road.

Unfortunately, the Norman Keep isn’t an accessible part of the castle and as there are many steep, windy and incredibly narrow steps, it’s advised to approach with caution if you’re a little unsteady on your feet.

If you do venture up to the top, however, you’ll be greeted with castle ruins that are still pretty intact, as well as numerous “windows” that will have been used for defending the castle that offer great viewing points.

The twelve-sided keep still remains almost in immaculate condition and the views from the very top of the viewing platform are definitely worth admiring, especially on a clear day when you’re treated to 360° views surrounding the castle.

Battlement Walk

While visiting Cardiff Castle, be sure to carve out some time to stroll around the three sides of the outer defences of the castle. These Victorian reconstructions of a Roman fort provide a very interesting part of the castle and it’s worth enjoying a little wander around so that you can imagine Roman soldiers patrolling in years gone by.

Castle grounds and gardens

While it’s quite a general thing to suggest doing at Castle Castle, simply walking around the grounds and gardens of the complex is worth doing on your visit.

The castle is adjacent to the substantial Bute Park and you can enjoy various views of the castle from the park itself.

Bute Park is beautiful in its own right and you’ll find many locals frequenting the paths of the park on their daily run, but if you don’t feel like joining them, you can just as easily appreciate the mighty castle complex while enjoying a leisurely stroll through the park.

Opening times

Cardiff Castle is open every day throughout the year except the 25th and 26th of December and the 1st of January.

The castle’s opening times operate on a seasonal basis from March to October and November to February, so be sure to double-check the exact opening times before you visit. If there is an event at the castle, it may be closed to regular visitors, so check the Cardiff Castle website before your visit.

March to October:

Monday to Thursday: 10 am – 4 pm (Last entry 3 pm).
Friday to Sunday: 9 am – 6 pm (Last entry 5 pm).

November to February:

Monday to Thursday: 10 am – 4 pm (Last entry 3 pm).
Friday to Sunday: 9 am – 5 pm (Last entry 4 pm).

Tickets

Entrance to the castle grounds and ‘public square’ is free for everyone during the castle’s opening hours, however, if you want to go inside the keep, the apartments, wartime tunnels and more, you will have to purchase a ticket.

Adult – £14.50
Child (Aged 5 – 16) – £10.00
Under 5s – Free
Concessions – £12.00
Family (2 Adults and 2 Children) – £39.00

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Have you ever visited Cardiff Castle? Is it somewhere you’d be interested in visiting after reading my post? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram @imjustagirl_16.