Excursion Caerphilly castle tour tour at Cardiff

Explore the largest castle in Wales, and second-largest in Britain, during this panoramic, half-day sightseeing excursion to Caerphilly Castle.

Cardiff, Caerphilly Castle

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately one-hour drive to Caerphilly Castle. The castle was built between 1268 and 1271 by Gilbert 'the Red' de Clare, a redheaded nobleman of Norman descent, to stop Llywelyn ap Gruffydd's southward ambitions. At the time of its construction, Caerphilly Castle was a revolutionary masterpiece of military planning. Once the threat posed by Llywelyn receded, the castle no longer had a military use and deteriorated during several centuries of disrepair. However, in the late-18th century, the Marquess of Bute acquired Caerphilly Castle and undertook extensive restoration. The work continued throughout the last century under the fourth Marquess, and, in 1950, the castle and grounds were handed over to the government, who continued their restoration.

Guided Tour, Great Hall, 'Leaning Tower', Rings of Stone, Water Defences, Free Time, Gift Shop

Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour of Caerphilly Castle, one of the greatest medieval castles of western Europe. Concentrically-planned, the rings of stone and water defences are formidable, even today. The striking features of this castle include an impressive, 14th-century Great Hall and the famous 'Leaning Tower'. The castle was also recently featured in the BBC TV series, Merlin. Following a guided, approximately one-hour walking tour, some free time is made available to explore the castle further and browse the gift shop. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Cardiff, Caerphilly Castle, Guided Tour, Great Hall, 'Leaning Tower', Rings of Stone, Water Defences, Free Time, Gift Shop

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking, at times over uneven and natural surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to get on/off the coach and many steps inside the castle to access the towers. Walking at Caerphilly Castle is at the discretion of each guest. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear warm, comfortable clothing in layers with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, a weatherproof jacket, an umbrella, and credit cards or local currency for purchases from the ship. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18 years old. The coaches utilised on this tour are air-cooled. The tour sequence may vary.