8/8/2010 4 photos

The red castle, up on the mountain cliff side. A place for visits and weddings. Charlotte Church has been married or had her reception party here. I personally love this castle, it's very magnificent and the art work is exceptional.

They must have had the right tools to be able to have done the work on the dome like, shaped ceiling, on the insides. There is so much detail towards the images that you can and much of it was crackling and peeling off, already.

It is a very old castle; it looks more like a castle from the outside rather than one from the inside. It was crafted during from the imagination of the Victorian age. It is no longer used as a castle or a house, which is what it really looks like to me an old fashioned Victorian house, long since forgotten.

This castle stands tall and proud, out of the trees on a slight hill of that motorway. It can be easy to miss if you're not careful; when you approach it you are surrounded by a forest. It's not a very big place, but it's worth a visit.

• Add owner comment
• Bookmark  
• Send to a Friend
• Link to This Review

1/7/2010

Well, I had to write about the iconic Castell Coch today after reading a BBC news story declaring that "fifty-one visitors have been freed after being trapped in the "fairytale" castle when the drawbridge collapsed". Fear not, however - the castle's custodian reportedly kept those stranded entertained with a sword-fighting demonstration until the fire service was able to rescue them! I'm sure it was an experience to remember, as incidences like this don't happen every day at the woodland castle. In fact, Castell Coch is due to be closed for conservation work from 1 January 2011 to 28 January 2011 inclusive - but perhaps in the light of the recent incident they ought to bring that date forward a little!?

Despite this drama, the dreamy medieval-style castel is a key landmark set amidst woodland just outside the confines of the city, and definitely deserves the full five stars even if it does have a dodgy drawbridge.

Its name means 'Red Castle' in English, and reflects its fairytale red turrets which can be seen from far and wide. It was built in the late 19th century on medieval remains, designed by William Burges as a folly for the extravagant third marquess of Bute. Inside - as you'd expect - it's lavishly decorated and furnished in Victorian Gothic style. It's  a must-see for anyone visiting Cardiff with either a car or a bicycle to get up there (the Taff Trail leads you past Castell Coch). There's a car park at the castle, plus toilets, a café, and a souvenir shop. Entry costs £3.60 for adults, £3.20 for concessions, or £10.40 for a family ticket.

• Add owner comment
• Bookmark  
• Send to a Friend
• Link to This Review

27/6/2010 1 photo

Firstly, apologies for the quality of the photo I've uploaded to illustrate this review, as it was a cold day and the light was such that it ends up looking imposing and depressing. It's most certainly not!
I was there most recently for a wedding, and it is a most impressive if difficult to walk to venue, given that it's up a pretty chuffin' steep hill. A fairytale castle, Castell Coch is essentially, if not accurately, a folly, another random splurge of cash by one of the Bute family in times gone by, but it is iconic, and settled prettily in amongst the trees, it is also idyllic. However, as a function room for civil wedding ceremonies, it is expensive and not very accommodating, with a ridiculously tiny capacity for guests, and a steep staircase up which someone in, say, a billowing white dress may have great difficulty climbing. Still, if you can get it, book it, because the photos from the day will be spectacular.
If you ever have visiting foreign dignitaries with a spare hour or two to kill, then a tour is definitely worth your while, and the CADW staff are always well-informed and helpful. It is a prominent landmark in the Welsh consciousness, and as an image helps Wales attract many free-spending tourists. If you live in Cardiff and have never been, try taking your mountain bike up there for a challenging climb, or just wander around the grounds. It's lovely.

• Add owner comment
• Bookmark  
• Send to a Friend
• Link to This Review

4/6/2010

Yay, everyone loves a good fairytale. (Yes, I know that they're what's wrong with our society and not everyone can be a hero etc etc, but bear with me.)

I think that my favourite thing about Castell Coch is being able to point it out to friends as we're travelling along the M4 motorway.

'Hey look there's a castle!' say I, as though I didn't know it was there. Once this remark almost killed me and three others. But I still do it. It's an impressive site to point out.

One thing I would recommend is to go and see this castle if you're travelling along the Taff Trail. It's a great place to go to from the city centre (about 6 miles away), and although it's a bit of a slog to push your bike up the hill, you'll certainly have fun coming down again.

• Add owner comment
• Bookmark  
• Send to a Friend
• Link to This Review

3/5/2010 2 photos

My undying  memory of Castell Coch is being in the dungeon as an eight year old on school trip and being pretty scared by a man dressed as knight!  Since then it hasn't lost any of its magic. It's like the typical disney princess castle set high up on the hill over looking the city, complete with draw bridge, turrets and perfectly preserved rooms.

This is of course a Faux castle. It's not even 100 years old, so don't expect too much history but ask about the original fortress of your interested.

Its perfect for a day out as its only a 15 minute drive from the city centre and impossible to miss. Kids would love a day out here, and once your bored of the castle you take one of the many routes behind the castle that lead into the woodland where you can stop and have a picnic. Alternatively you can give the cafe a go and get some lovely cake.

It only costs £3.60 for an adult to get in, and if you just fancy a walk its free.

Personally I'm waiting for my knight in shining amour to come back and marry me in this fairy-tale castle (not that I could ever afford it!).

NB. Opens later in the peak of summer, and closes earlier in the winter. It also closes completely in January for renovations.

• Add owner comment
• Bookmark  
• Send to a Friend
• Link to This Review

8/5/2010

A fairytale castle on a hillside set in woods outside Cardiff is a must for all to visit.

Although a ninetieth century hunting lodge for the Bute family, this enchanting castle with its cobbled courtyard and world famous murals has all the feel of a medieval castle. It takes its name (coch) from its red turrets, and through the tiny windows there are views over the whole of Cardiff.

When you have finished wandering around the castle itself you can visit the well stocked gift shop or visit the quaint tea shop with its scrumptious selection of cakes.

Surrounding woods are great for walks particularly pretty in May when full of bluebells.

• Add owner comment
• Bookmark  
• Send to a Friend
• Link to This Review

19/3/2010 1 photo

If you grew-up on fairy tales and are bit of a romantic then you should visit Castell Coch. It's beautiful, magical and looks just like a castle taken out from parallel universe, straight from one of the Brothers Grimm stories. It made me want to be a princess, grow long hair, live in the main tower and wait for my price charming.

• Add owner comment
• Bookmark  
• Send to a Friend
• Link to This Review

8/1/2009

My favorite castle!!  It's just like out of a fairytale.

In fact, when I went to visit, a group of adults (yes, adults!), re-enacted parts of Harry Potter in front of the castle.

The staged most of the rooms to give you an idea of how things used to be.  They also have a gift shop for souvenirs.

• Add owner comment
• Bookmark  
• Send to a Friend
• Link to This Review