Caerphilly Castle is the largest castle in Wales and the second-largest in Britain after Windsor, standing behind a vast moat in the town of Caerphilly. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
The easiest way to get there is on a day tour from Cardiff that also includes Tintern Abbey, Caldicot Castle, Chepstow Castle and Roman Caerleon.
This guide was last updated in September 2026. The castle’s Great Hall and inner ward reopened this year after two years of conservation work, with new digital exhibits now on display throughout the site.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily 9.30am–5pm (1 September–31 October 2026); last admission 30 minutes before closing |
| Ticket price | Adult £12.90 (single site); £16.30 joint with Castell Coch |
| Address | Castle St, Caerphilly CF83 1JD |
| Nearest transport | Caerphilly railway station, about 1km/0.6 miles away |
| Typical time needed | 2 to 3 hours |
Caerphilly Castle opening hours
The castle is open daily, with hours changing through the year. From 1 September to 31 October 2026, it is open 9.30am to 5pm, with last admission 30 minutes before closing.
Hours extend to 9.30am–6pm in July and August, and shorten to 10am–4pm from November to February. The castle closes only on 24, 25, and 26 December, and on 1 January.
Caerphilly Castle ticket prices
From 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027, standard adult admission costs £12.90 for Caerphilly Castle alone, or £16.30 for a joint ticket that also covers nearby Castell Coch. A family ticket for two adults and up to three children costs £41.30 alone, or £52.20 jointly.
Seniors aged 65 and over pay £11.60, and juniors aged 5 to 17 or students with photo ID pay £9.00. Disabled visitors and one companion enter free, as do Cadw members and children under 5.
Ticket prices were checked against the official Cadw website, last updated in September 2026. Booking online saves 5%, and visitors on Universal Credit or other named benefits can buy a £1 ticket.
Cadw has reported an intermittent card payment issue at the castle, meaning cash may currently be the only accepted method on arrival. Bringing cash as a backup, or booking online in advance, avoids any disruption at the entrance.
Blue Light Card holders and serving or veteran members of HM Armed Forces receive 10% off individual admission. This discount is not available online, and cannot be combined with the joint ticket promotion.
Why book the 3 Castles, Tintern Abbey & Roman Caerleon Tour from Cardiff?
- 🏰 Three Historic Welsh Castles: Tour three distinct fortifications in a single day—Chepstow Castle perched over the River Wye, medieval Caldicot Castle, and monumental Caerphilly Castle with its iconic leaning tower.
- ⛪ Enchanting Tintern Abbey: Walk among the magnificent roofless ruins of a 12th-century Cistercian abbey set against the lush green backdrop of the scenic Wye Valley.
- 🛡️ Ancient Roman Caerleon: Step back nearly 2,000 years to explore Britain’s best-preserved Roman amphitheater, fortress walls, and ancient bathhouses at Isca Augusta.
- 🎟️ All Admission Tickets Included: Save time and skip extra expenses with entry fees to every historic attraction fully covered in your booking.
- 🚐 Intimate Small-Group Experience: Travel comfortably in a small group (capped at just 7 passengers) in a luxury transport vehicle led by a knowledgeable local driver-guide.
How to get to Caerphilly Castle
Caerphilly railway station is about 1km, or a 0.6-mile walk, from the castle, on the Cardiff to Bargoed and Rhymney line. By road, the castle is reached via the A468 from Newport, or the M4, A470, and A469 from Cardiff.
Bus route 26, connecting Cardiff with Caerphilly and Tredegar, stops directly opposite the castle. Cyclists can use National Cycle Network Route 4, which passes within 200 metres of the entrance.
Alternatively, hop on the three castles, Tintern Abbey and Roman Caerleon day tour from Cardiff.
Parking at Caerphilly Castle
A short-stay pay-and-display car park stands about 110 metres from the castle, with a long-stay car park around 500 metres away. Dedicated accessible parking is available at both.
Given the castle’s central location, on-street parking in the town centre offers a further option for short visits. Coach parties should contact the castle in advance to arrange suitable drop-off and parking.
How long to spend at Caerphilly Castle
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours exploring the castle’s towers, gatehouses, and newly reopened Great Hall. Its scale, easily the largest of any Welsh castle, means it takes longer to see than most Cadw sites.
The one-way route through the castle’s towers and corridors, with a map provided on arrival, helps visitors see everything without doubling back. Seating is provided at intervals along the route for anyone who needs to rest.
Visitors holding the joint ticket with Castell Coch, a short drive away, often split their day between the two very different castles.
Accessibility at Caerphilly Castle
The castle combines accessible outdoor spaces with a one-way indoor route through several towers and narrow corridors. A portable induction loop is available, and accessible toilets, including baby-changing facilities, are located at the back of the Great Hall.
Dogs on leads are welcome on the ground floor, though only assistance dogs may go above it. The site’s original stone steps can be uneven, so handrails should be used when climbing the towers.
Inside Caerphilly Castle
Marcher lord Gilbert de Clare began building Caerphilly Castle in 1268, alarmed by the growing power of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Wales. Llywelyn twice tried to destroy the castle before it was finished, making him the fortress’s unwitting inspiration.
The result was the largest castle in Wales, and the second-largest in Britain after Windsor, covering 30 acres with massive walls, towers, gatehouses, and water defences. That area is roughly three times the size of Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
After Llywelyn’s death removed the immediate threat, the castle became a palatial home with its own hunting park and lake. Edward II’s favourite, Hugh Despenser, later redecorated the Great Hall in an ornate style fitting his wealth and status.
During the Civil War, gunpowder charges left the south-east tower leaning at a dramatic angle, more pronounced than the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This accidental landmark remains one of the castle’s most photographed features.
Following a two-year, £5 million conservation project, the Great Hall and inner castle ward reopened to visitors in 2026. New state-of-the-art digital exhibits now bring the castle’s medieval history to life throughout the site.
Some areas remain affected by the wider redevelopment, and the Great Hall is not currently available for weddings or venue hire. Visitors planning a special event should confirm current availability directly with the castle team.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit on a weekday morning to see the newly reopened Great Hall before peak crowds arrive. |
| Crowds | Halloween events in late October draw some of the largest visitor numbers of the year. |
| Layout | Follow the one-way route and map provided on arrival to see every tower without retracing your steps. |
| Entry process | Bring cash as a backup, since card payment at the castle is currently intermittent. |
| On-site logistics | Watch your footing near the moat bank, and keep dogs on leads throughout the ground floor. |
Frequently asked questions about Caerphilly Castle
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Caerphilly Castle free to visit? | No, standard adult admission costs £12.90, though several groups qualify for free entry. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Caerphilly Castle? | No, though booking online saves 5% on the ticket price. |
| Is Caerphilly Castle open every day? | Yes, except 24, 25, and 26 December and 1 January. |
| Are dogs allowed at Caerphilly Castle? | Yes, on leads, on the ground floor; only assistance dogs are allowed above it. |
| Is Caerphilly Castle suitable for children? | Yes, with family tickets available and Halloween and Christmas events held each year. |
Things to do near Caerphilly Castle
- Caerphilly Mountain: a viewpoint over the town and castle, about 20 minutes on foot or by car.
- Senghenydd National Mining Memorial: a memorial to Wales’ worst mining disasters, a short drive north.
- Llancaiach Fawr Manor House: a costumed Tudor manor house, about a 15-minute drive away.
- Twmbarlwm and Cwmcarn Forest Drive: an Iron Age hillfort and scenic forest drive, a short drive away.
- Caerphilly town centre: home to the town’s famous crumbly cheese and independent shops.
Alternative attractions
- Castell Coch: a fairy-tale Victorian Gothic castle, about a 10-minute drive away and covered by the joint ticket.
- Cardiff Castle: a Norman castle with Victorian Gothic interiors, roughly a 20-minute drive away.
- Newport Castle: the remains of a significant waterfront fortress, about a 25-minute drive away.
- Tinkinswood Chambered Tomb: a large Neolithic burial chamber, around a 30-minute drive away.
- Raglan Castle: a late-medieval castle with a moated Great Tower, roughly a 40-minute drive away.
More Wales travel
Other Wales travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What to expect when visiting the Upside Down House in Cardiff.
- Key information for visiting Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff.
- See the magnificent Cistercian ruins at Tintern Abbey in Monmouthshire.
- Plan your visit to Chepstow Castle in Monmouthshire.
- How to get the best out of a visit to Pembroke Castle.
