Wales is sometimes called the "castle capital of the world" because of the large number of castles in a relatively small area. Wales had about 400 castles, of which over 100 are still standing, either as ruins or as restored buildings. The rest have returned to nature, and today consist of ditches, mounds, and earthworks, often in commanding positions. Many of the sites in Wales are cared for by Cadw, the Welsh government's historic environment service.
The four castles of Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Conwy, and Harlech together make up the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd World Heritage Site, considered to be the "finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe".
Bridgend
Castles of which only earthworks, fragments, or nothing remains include:
NameImageTypeDateConditionOwnership / AccessNotesCandleston CastleFortified manor house14th centuryRuinedOnly the tower remains of a C14 fortified manor house built by the de Cantelupes.Coity CastleKeep and bailey12th - 14th centuriesRuinedCadwProminently sited above Heol West Plas, Coity Castle was founded in the early twelfth century and was granted to the Norman family of Turberville.Kenfig CastleKeep and bailey12th centuryFragmentary remainsThe scanty remains of Kenfig Castle, a once great medieval fortress, rise from the dunes beside the Cynfig river.Llangynwyd Castle12th centuryFragmentary remainsAt Llangynwyd the remains of a once splendid medieval fortress are now reduced to scanty ruins and earthworks.NewcastleEnclosure castle12th centuryRuinedCadwThe castle's most outstanding feature is its complete Norman doorway, which greets the visitor approaching the castle from the south.
Caerphilly
NameImageTypeDateConditionOwnership / AccessNotesCaerphilly CastleConcentric castle13th - 14th centuryRuined, with partial restorationCadwCaerphilly is the largest medieval castle in Wales and one of the most impressive in Europe.Morgraig CastleEnclosure castle13th centuryFragmentary remainsBuilt between 1243 and 1267, the form of the castle is unusual and has no comparisons elsewhere. Debate has centred on whether the castle was built by the Welsh Lords of Senghenydd, or by the Norman Lords of Glamorgan. (reproduced in the Castle Studies Group newsletter Vol. 11 p. 35-39)Ruperra CastleMock castle17th centuryRuinedPrivateBuilt c1626 by Sir Thomas Morgan, steward to the Earl of Pembroke, and the latest example of the Elizabethan and Jacobean court taste for castellated mansions.Ruperra MotteMotte and bailey12th century Ruined, with partial restorationRuperra Conservation TrustThe site includes remains of a medieval castle motte on a much earlier Iron Age hillfort.
Cardiff Castles of which only earthworks or nothing remains include:
NameImageTypeDateConditionOwnership / AccessNotesCardiff Castle Shell Keep11th centuryRuined, with partial restorationCardiff CouncilCardiff Castle was established within the walls of a mighty Roman fort by William I of England in about 1081.Castell Coch Gothic Revival19th century (Originally 11th century) IntactCadwCastell Coch, located on a prominent wooded hillside overlooking the Taff Valley and the northern part of Cardiff, is a remarkable blend of solid medieval masonry and High Victorian Gothic fantasy.St Fagans Castle Enclosure castle13th centuryRuinedNational Museum WalesThe remains of the medieval castle at St Fagans include the southern part of a stone curtain wall. The enclosure is currently overlain by an Elizabethan mansion, with part of the surviving curtain serving to define its forecourt.Bishop's Palace, Llandaff Concentric castle 13th centuryRuinedCardiff CouncilBishop's Palace is also known as Llandaff Castle or Bishop's Castle
Carmarthenshire
Castles of which only earthworks or nothing remains include:
NameImageTypeDateConditionOwnership / AccessNotesCarmarthen Castle Shell Keep11th centuryRuinedCarmarthenshire CouncilRemains of the high medieval castle, including a shell keep, gatehouse and two towers, are obscured by modern buildings, notably County Hall.Carreg Cennen Castle Enclosure castle13th centuryRuinedCadwSpectacularly set on a crag over the upper Cennen valley. A vaulted passage runs from the SE corner to a cave below E outer ward.Dinefwr Castle 12th centuryCadwDinefwr castle is thought to have been founded in the later twelfth century by Rhys ap Gruffudd, the Lord Rhys, and became known as the traditional capital of Dyfed.Dryslwyn Castle 13th centuryCadwThe shattered ruins of a medieval castle crown the ultimate summit of a dramatically isolated and abrupt hill rising from the Tywi floodplain.Kidwelly Castle 12th century and earlierRuinedCadwKidwelly Castle is an imposing ruin, situated on a scarp above the upper tidal limit of the Gwendraeth Fach Estuary, and considered one of the finest castles in Wales.Laugharne Castle 13th centuryCadwThe castle of Laugharne was built by the Anglo-Normans in the early twelfth century and is probably mentioned in 1116, but the existing ruins are thirteenth century and later.Llandovery Castle 11th centuryRuinedLlandovery Castle is a motte and bailey castle first mentioned in 1113. Extensive remains of masonry walls and towers occupy the motte, and a shell keep enclosure is represented by half-buried footings.Llansteffan Castle 12th centuryCadwProminently situated on a rocky promontory, overlooking the mouth of the Tywi. Substantial and impressive remains of a rubble masonry castle dating from the C12 to C15.Castell Moel 16th centuryShattered ruins of a possibly 16th but probably 17th century house ruins; an early wing was incorporated into large cruciform renaissance house.Newcastle Emlyn Castle 13th & 15th centuryShattered ruins remain of Newcastle Emlyn Castle. Excavation through the 1980s have revealed some details, but the castle is best known from a collection of medieval accounts and surveys.
Ceredigion
Castles of which only earthworks or nothing remains include:
NameImageTypeDateConditionOwnership / AccessNotesAberystwyth Castle Concentric castle13th centuryRuinedAberystwyth Town CouncilWork on Aberystwyth Castle commenced in 1277 under Edward I and was completed in 1289. The castle remains have been much restored and now form part of a public park.Cardigan Castle Motte and bailey13th centuryCeredigion County CouncilSituated on promontory overlooking Cardigan Bridge. Portions of the curtain wall survive in the tall embankment overlooking the bridge. There are remains of three semi-circular towers, the largest & most elaborate incorporated into the early C19 Castle Green House
Conwy
NameImageTypeDateConditionOwnership / AccessNotesConwy Castle Enclosure castle13th centuryRuined, with partial restorationCadwDeganwy Castle 13th centuryEarthworks remainDolwyddelan Castle 13th centuryPartially ruinousCadwGwrych Castle 19th centuryDerelict, being restoredGwrych Castle Preservation TrustMock GothicGwydir Castle 16th centuryIntactPrivate
Denbighshire
NameImageTypeDateConditionOwnership / AccessNotesBodelwyddan Castle 19th century (Originally 15th)Denbigh Castle 13th -14th centuryCadwDinas Brân 12th centuryDyserth Castle 13th centuryRhuddlan Castle 13th centuryCadwRuthin Castle 13th centuryHotelTwthill, Rhuddlan 11th centuryCadwPrestatyn Castle 12th century Motte & Bailey castle
Flintshire
NameImageTypeDateConditionOwnership / AccessNotesCaergwrle Castle 13th centuryCadwEwloe Castle 12th centuryCadwFlint Castle 13th centuryCadwHawarden Castle 13th centuryNew Hawarden Castle 18th centuryMold Castle 12th century
Gwynedd
NameImageTypeDateConditionOwnership / AccessNotesBryn Bras Castle 19th centuryCaernarfon Castle 13th centuryRuined, with partial restorationCadwCarndochan Castle 13th centuryCastell y Bere 13th centuryCadwCriccieth Castle 13th centuryCadwDinas Emrys 12th century keep on early medieval siteDolbadarn Castle 13th centuryCadwHarlech Castle 13th centuryCadwPenrhyn Castle 19th centuryIntactNational Trust
Isle of Anglesey
NameImageTypeDateConditionOwnership / AccessNotesCastell Aberlleiniog 12th centuryBeaumaris Castle Concentric castle13th centuryCadw
Merthyr Tydfil
NameImageTypeDateConditionOwnership / AccessNotesMorlais Castle 13th centuryCyfarthfa Castle 19th century
Monmouthshire
NameImageTypeDateConditionOwnership / AccessNotesAbergavenny Castle 11th to 13th centuryBetws Newydd Castle 11th centuryCaldicot Castle 12th to 15th centuryCastell Arnold 12th centuryNear LlanoverChepstow Castle 11th to 14th centuryCadwDingestow Castle 11th and 12th century Two castles, one 11th century the other 12thGrosmont Castle 12th to 14th centuryCadwLlanfair Kilgeddin Castle 11th centuryLlantrisant, Monmouthshire Castell Troggy 13th centuryLlanvair Discoed Castle12th to 13th centuryMonmouth Castle 11th to 13th centuryCadw Newcastle 11th centuryPenrhos Castle 11th centuryPen y Clawdd Castle 11th centuryNear AbergavennyRaglan Castle 15th centuryCadwSkenfrith Castle 12th to 13th centuryCadwTregrug Castle13th centuryTrellech Castle 12th centuryUsk Castle 12th to 14th centuryWhite Castle 11th to 13th centuryCadw
Neath Port Talbot
NameImageTypeDateConditionOwnership / AccessNotesMargam Castle19th centuryNeath Port Talbot County Borough CouncilNeath Castle 12th centuryNeath Town Council
Newport
Castle with only earthworks, Wentloog Castle.
NameImageTypeDateConditionOwnership / AccessNotesCaerleon Castle 11th to 13th centuryNewport Castle 13th centuryCadwPencoed Castle13th centuryPenhow Castle 12th century
Pembrokeshire
NameImageTypeDateConditionOwnership / AccessNotesBenton CastleAlan Reid, Castles of Wales, 2nd ed.(Ruthin: John Jones Publishing Ltd. 1999)no dateCarew Castle 11th to 16th centuryPrivate / Open to the publicCilgerran Castle 13th centuryCadwHaverfordwest Castle 12th centuryLlawhaden Castle 12th to 14th centuryCadwManorbier Castle 12th to 14th centuryPrivate / Open to the publicNarberth Castle13th centuryNewport Castle19th century Pembroke Castle 12th & 13th centuryPrivate / Open to the publicPicton Castle 12th centuryPicton Castle TrustRoch Castle 12th centuryPrivateTenby Castle 13th centuryUpton Castle13th centuryPrivateWiston Castle 12th centuryCadwWolf's CastleMotte and bailey11th century
Powys
Castles of which only earthworks, fragments or nothing remains include:
NameImageTypeDateConditionOwnership / AccessNotesAberedw Castle 11th to 13th centuryTwo castles, one 11th and one 13th centuryBlaenllyfni Castle 13th centuryBrecon Castle11th centuryHotelBronllys Castle12th centuryCadwCefnllys CastleHill castle12th centuryFragmentary remainsThree castles, an 11th-century motte and bailey followed by two 13th-century masonry castles.Crickhowell Castle 12th centuryDolforwyn Castle 13th centuryCadwHay Castle11th or 12th centuryHay Castle TrustLlanthomas Castle Mound11th or 12th centuryPrivateMaesllwch Castle 19th centuryPrivate19th-century house in castellated styleMontgomery Castle 13th centuryCadwPowis Castle 12th to 19th centuryNational TrustTretower Castle 12th centuryCadw
Rhondda Cynon Taf Castles of which only earthworks, fragments or nothing remains include:
NameImageTypeDateConditionOwnership / AccessNotesLlantrisant Castle 13th century
Swansea
NameImageTypeDateConditionOwnership / AccessNotesLoughor Castle12th centuryCadwOxwich Castle 16th centuryCadwOystermouth Castle 12th & 13th centuryCity and County of Swansea CouncilPennard Castle 12th centuryPennard Golf CoursePenrice Castle 13th centuryPrivateSwansea Castle12th centuryCadwWeobley Castle 13th centuryCadw
Vale of Glamorgan
Castles of which only earthworks, fragments or nothing remains include:
NameImageTypeDateConditionOwnership / AccessNotesBarry Castle 13th - 14th centuryCadwFonmon Castle 14th centuryPrivateHensol Castle 18th centuryPrivateOgmore Castle 12th centuryCadwOld Beaupre Castle 16th centuryCadwPenmark Castle12th centurySt Donat's Castle 12th centuryAtlantic CollegeSt Quintins Castle 14th centuryCadw
Wrexham