My first ever visit to Caerphilly Castle in south Wales was at the beginning of 2017 on a day trip to explore the castle and the Royal Mint nearby to see how coins were made ahead of the new pound coin circulation later in the year. A little over five years later, I was able to see some changes and to explore some parts of the castle that were closed off during my last visit. Additional parts of the castle were closed off on this visit for different reasons; the castle is having some repair work done to it. Everyting was open for us to visit, but the scaffolding never looks attractive. On my first visit, the Great Hall was closed due to a theatre production.
Before I enter the castle, the view above was taken from a pub called Court House, which is part of the Greene King chain. Lunches were on offer with a sandwich and drink, which was very tempting to me, but the bloke did not want to stay as he was in a rush and wanted to watch racing at home. I had a half-pint of soft drink and admired the views for a few minutes while he decided to go back to the car and wait for me. It was lovely sunny weather too, so maybe I'll be able to stop back here again in a few years. I took out the lifetime English Heritage membership, which covers Cadw Heritage sites in Wales too, back in 2020.
Caerphilly Castle is an example of a Norman castle from the mid-1200s, and it is one of the largest Welsh castles. It is surrounded by a moat or lake and has thick defensive walls. You cannot get much of a better castle example than Caerphilly Castle.
A part of the castle juts out a bit into the lake with views. You can see the leaning castle tower here before you get into the castle's inner court.
Scaffolding never looks nice, but Cadw have put some advertisement on it. It's essential that these ancient buildings are kept maintained for future generations to enjoy as the stonework deteriorates in the open weather.
In the inner bailey and quite near the leaning tower is a new scene. In my last visit, I remember a red dragon on the grounds. There is now a dragon family with a story told when visitors press the button. Visitors can hear about this dragon family.
Also, the leaning tower has some artwork beneath it - a sculpture of a man pushing against the tower. It won't be falling anytime soon. There's actually steel poles inside it holding it together.
The Great Hall, pictured below, was closed off last time.
I was able to walk along the walls and onto the other floors.
The works being done on the castle don't look nice below, but it's essential. The picnic tables are new as well. There's no cafe here, but visitors can bring in refreshments.
The views are impressive from the top tower.
Underneath the archery walkway, a statue of a knight crouches.
Upon exiting, I took a look back at the castle.
And here's my view of the castle where I stopped to have the drink.
Read about my first visit to Caerphilly Castle here.
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