This week we are concluding our Welsh Adventure, you can catch up with our adventures thusfar HERE. This time it was the boys' turn to choose where they want to go for their day out. After much consideration & deliberation (as evidenced by Cillian above) they finally chose to spend the morning at Caerphilly Castle & Castell Coch. Clever lads.
Caerphilly Castle occupies over 30 acres, it’s the biggest castle in Wales & the second largest in Britain. Built in the 13th Century by Gilbert de Clare using the “walls within walls” system of defence. It’s the most complete Castle still standing today with a series of moats & islands.
Our little ones absolutely loved it as there were lots of rooms to explore & vast rolling lawns. The Great hall is simply stunning. There have been a few TV shows filmed here including Dr Who & Merlin, my son thought it was amazing that he recognised Constable’s Hall.
They have a great gift shop where we stocked up on armour & swords, just in case! Admission is £4.75 Adults, £3.60 Children or a family ticket is £14.25 for 2 adults & all children in your party. Pay & display parking is just 200 meters from the castle, so ideal if you've hired a rental to explore.
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| Caerphilly Castle |
Less than 15 minutes away is Castell Coch which was also built by Gilbert De Clare in 1267. There has been a castle on this site since 1081 but it has been raised, rebuilt & remodelled a couple times, the castle standing today was completed in 1891. Castell Coch looks like something straight from a fairytale with a working drawbridge & three towers with conical roofs.
The interior includes The Keep, The Kitchen Tower, The Well Tower, Banqueting Hall, Lord & Lady Bute’s bedrooms & many more rooms. Most of the original furniture that was removed from the castle has been recovered & reinstated in the castle.
Admission is much the same as Caerphilly Castle but if you are planning on visiting a few Castles you’d be better off buying the Explorer Pass on sale at most Castles. A 3 day family pass is £36.80 which gives you access to over 25 historical attractions. Parking is free; they also have Tea Rooms, A Gift Shop & Picnic Tables.
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| Castell Coch
Just a short hop away is Cardiff Bay, so we headed there for a spot of lunch. We were thrilled to find it was a hub of activity with lots of shops, restaurants, bars & visitor attractions to choose from. Never mind a day, you could spend a week here & not get bored.
The boys had a big decision to make & The Dr Who Experience lost out to Techniquest an interactive science & discovery centre. The afternoon whizzed by with the children having a blast in the exhibitions, planetarium & science theatre topped off with oodles of hands on science.
As Techniquest is a registered charity you can choose to make a donation with your admission price, we did & paid £25 for a family pass, 2 adults & 3 children, Under 3’s are free. There is paid on street parking nearby.
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| Cardiff Bay |
So there you have it some of the highlights of our 10 day break in Wales, we went to lots more places but I’d be here all year telling you about them!
Currently both Irish Ferries & Stena Line have a Kids go free offer so there has never been a better time to pack up your car & head across the Irish Sea for a fun filled family break in Wales.
Have we piqued your interest in God's country? Do let us know!
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