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Wiston Castle (Pembrokeshire) – located on a high hill on the north side of the village of Wiston, this castle had no connection to Edward I (responsible for the construction of numerous castles in Wales). Instead, this one was built by Flemish freebooter named Wizo, most likely during the early 1100s. This castle was said […]

White Caste (Llanthony Crosseny, Abergavenny, Gwent) – this is another of the so-called “Three Castles” (or “castles of the Trilateral”). Of those castles, this one is in much better condition than, in particular, Skenfrith. Unlike other castles, which were built for both military purposes and as regal residences, this one existed strictly to hold off […]

St. Quentin’s Castle (Llanblethian, Castle Hill, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan) – located just a half hour (13 miles) west of Cardiff, this castle was said to have been first built sometime during the 12th century (before many of Wales’ other castles were constructed). This courtyard castle doesn’t look completed because it wasn’t – local royalty […]

Skenfrith (Abergavenny, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire County) – located an hour (42 miles) northeast of Cardiff, this castle was built between 1219 and 1232. This is the only low-lying fortress of the three castles of Skenfirth, Grosmont, and White Castle (a.k.a. the “castles of the Trilateral”). The castle’s current state of disrepair was due to King Edward […]

Raglan Castle (Raglan, Monmountshire County) – unlike many of the castles in Wales (which were built during Edward I’s reign), this one (located 31 miles / 41 minutes north of Cardiff) was built during the mid-15th century (some years before Columbus’ discovery of America). It was remodeled during the Tudor period. Militarily, this castle saw […]

Norwegian Church Arts Centre (Arts Centre, Harbour Drive, Cardiff) – this was a one-time church for Norwegian sailors. Nowadays, this unique venue hosts a variety of events, from live music to workshops, functions and classes. The Dahl Gallery also displays a range of art and photography exhibitions. An events calendar is available on the website.

National Slate Museum (Llanberis, Gwynedd) – for those passing through castle country in northwest Wales, this museum (located 4 hours/172 miles northwest of Cardiff) lets visitors go back in time to learn more about the Welsh slate industry – a by-product of England’s Industrial Revolution. Now, with imaginative interpretation, the remarkable relics of the slate […]

National Museum Cardiff (Cathays Park, Cardiff) — located in the heart of Cardiff’s elegant civic centre, the National Museum Cardiff houses Wales’s national art, natural history, archaeology and geology collections, as well as major touring and temporary exhibitions. The variety of items showcased here range from Impressionist paintings to gigantic dinosaurs. Free admission. Hours: 10 […]

National Roman Legion Museum (High Street, Caerleon, Newport) – located just 33 minutes (19 miles) northeast of Cardiff, visitors can step back in time at the National Roman Legion Museum and explore life in a far-flung outpost of the mighty Roman Empire (Wales being its furthest outpost). In AD 75, the Romans built a fortress […]

Kidwelly Castle (Castle Road, Kidwelly) — located 1 hour & 23 minutes (63 miles) west of Cardiff, this was originally built during the Norman period (made of earth and timber). It was fortified into stone during the 13th century. Its half moon shape stems from the original 12th century Norman timber castle, of the motte-and-baley […]