Add this to your growing list of reasons to visit Wales this summer: Caerphilly Castle is back, and it’s had some serious work done. After two years of restoration and more than £8 million invested, the 13th-century fortress is reopening to the public this Saturday (July 19). And the place is looking better than ever.
The castle’s massive glow up was spearheaded by Cadw (Wales’ answer to the National Trust) and involved huge conservation efforts across the entirety of its historic site. We’re talking more than just a quick face lift. The castle brought in stonemasons, archaeologists and conservation experts to ensure the castle’s rich history is properly preserved. It’s seen a fair bit of wear and tear since it was built in 1268, after all.
The most impressive transformation is that of the newly revamped Great Hall. Once a bare, echoey shell, the hall has now been decked out with décor inspired by medieval banquets – complete with digital enhancements that’ll transport you back to the right royal feasts of the 1320s. That’s not the only modern touch, either; there’s underfloor heating, a top-spec kitchen for events, and brand-new toilets, bringing the Great Hall properly into the 21st century.
Plus, there’s some new interactive exhibits spilling the castle’s juiciest secrets. Think: power grabs, betrayals, messy medieval drama, and a nod to the fabulously rich Fourth Marquis of Bute, who gave the castle its last facelift back in the 1920s. Caerphilly Castle has become a lot more accessible, too, with new paths and ramps.
So whether you’re fancy visiting for the history, the views or just the sheer scale of the place, Caerphilly Castle is officially open again – and looking seriously good for its age. Find out more on the attraction website here.
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