12 Best Castles in Wales for Kids

Wales is renowned for its incredible castles, in fact it’s often referred to as the ‘Land of Castles’. Wales once had over 600  castles! Castles offer a wonderful day out with kids. From the climbing of towers and exploring the underground passages and dungeons, to role-playing at being a prince or princess living in the castle. Here, we along with fellow family travel bloggers bring you the best castles in Wales to visit with kids.

BEST CASTLES IN WALES FOR KIDS

CAERPHILLY CASTLE

You must be extra quiet as you walk across the bridge to the entrance of Caerphilly Castle – you don’t want to wake the dragons! Home to the last remaining family of purebred Welsh dragons, Caerphilly Castle is one of the most fun and family-friendly castles in Wales, no matter what time of year you visit.

Conveniently located just a short walk from the local train station, Caerphilly Castle is a Grade I listed building dating all the way back to the 13^th century. It’s had a hard life, living through several wars and changing hands more times than you can count, so it’s astonishing that some of the original construction is still intact.

The castle has always been one of the major attractions in South Wales, but in recent years it’s really gone above and beyond to make name for itself not only as an incredibly beautiful and history-rich castle, but also as a fun day out for families.

The central lawn has always been a popular place for young families to come and enjoy an ice cream in the sunny weather, and the addition of Dewi the red dragon in 2016 resulted in scores of families and school classes descending upon the castle to meet him. The following year Dewi got married to Dwynwen, and a year later they surprised the country by hatching two little dragon pups Dylan and Cariad. The dragons have a very busy social life and are often jetting off to put in an appearance at other castles in Wales, but they remain the star attraction!

Some of Caerphilly Castle’s other little quirks that make it fun for the family are a pooping knight (hilarious for kids of all ages), scavenger hunts that take place throughout the year, and Gilbert’s Maze. The castle is also surrounded by a moat full of ducks – while feeding them is discouraged, they’re fun to watch from the walls of the castle.

By Rhiannon at Wales to Wherever

RAGLAN CASTLE

Raglan Castle, located just ten miles from the market town of Abergavenny in South Wales, was our local castle for many years. A late medieval castle dating from the late 15^th century, it was a castle built for show rather than with battle in mind. It is a Grade 1 listed building now under the control of Cadw.

The main feature of Raglan Castle is its hexagonal keep, the Great Tower. While much of it is in ruin, there are plenty of areas to explore with kids. From the Great Tower itself to the library, kitchens and Great Hall, this small castle has enough space and nooks and crannies to capture the imagination of kids. You can even climb the stairs in the Great Tower and enjoy views across the countryside. Just take care with younger kids on the spiral staircase. We always turned castle visits into a game of dragon hunting for our young son and it has proved a great way to keep his attention while us adults enjoy the history of castles.

There is a car park outside the castle which is free but be warned, on summer days, during school holidays and when they are holding their medieval events, it can get very busy, so arrive early. There is a small gift shop but no café, so if you are attending an event there it might be worth taking a picnic. Alternatively, there are plenty of cafes in Abergavenny to choose from. We recommend the Cwtch Café. Raglan Castle is a lovely castle to visit in South Wales with kids and if you are visiting Newport, Monmouth or the South Wales Valleys, be sure to pop into Raglan Castle.

By Cath at Passports and Adventures

CARDIFF CASTLE

What better castle to visit than the one right in the middle of the capital city of Wales. Its prominent position in the centre of town makes it pretty unmissable but the fact that it’s so well maintained and has such a rich history makes Cardiff Castle well worth a visit.

Your ticket will gain you entry to the castle grounds, the Norman keep and the lesser known Wartime tunnels. These tunnels run through the outer walls of the castle and were used as air-raid shelters during the Second World War. They have been re-created to show what they would have been like years ago.

You can pay a little extra and take the house tour to see the impressive gold room and the fairy-tale nursery. Tickets come with a free audio tour and there is even a family trail to complete for the kids to learn more about the history of the castle. Kids over the age of six would probably enjoy the visit to the castle and the tour but if you have younger kids then you’ll probably want to try and time your visit for one of the many events that are held in the castle throughout the year. The grounds really come to life with medieval fayres and jousting weekends.

By Gemma Yorke at Have Kids Will Travel UK

CASTELL COCH

Castell Coch has been one of my favourite castles since I was a child. Its name means red castle in Welsh and the red turrets emerging from the trees in the woods at Tongwynlais, on the northern edge of Cardiff, always felt so magical to me when I was little; like a real fairy tale castle.

Castell Coch was built under the instruction of the third Marquis of Bute. He also owned Cardiff Castle and Bute Park. Built on the site of an ancient castle, which fell to ruins in the 15^th century, it is an accurate representation of a 13^th century castle in working order. The castle was never properly lived in. Lord Bute used it as a more of a rural retreat for small breaks away from his main residence. The décor inside the rooms – ornately painted ceilings and walls – is incredibly ornate and impressive, full of 19^th century elegance and romance.

As one of the smaller castles in Wales, it’s a great place for children as you can get around it in around an hour. However, while the path to the castle and main court yard are buggy friendly, the spiral staircases up to the castle’s turrets and rooms are not, so you’re best taking a baby carrier or sling for non-mobile babies. There are toilets and baby change facilities available, plus a small gift shop, plus on the lower left side an interactive room where children can learn about the castle with hands-on activities.

If you want to make more of a day of it then Fforest Fawr sculpture trail, a buggy-friendly woodland walk with intricately-carved wooden sculptures of animals, is nearby, as well as the Forest Tea Rooms.

By Cathryn at Cardiff Mummy Says

CHEPSTOW CASTLE

Chepstow Castle was one of the first castles in South Wales that we visited with our son. We had family visiting and we took a then 4-month-old along during a glorious Spring day to the castle while it was hosting a medieval event. Fast forward near three years and we returned with our son to explore Chepstow Castle, more than a baby had previously allowed.

Chepstow Castle sits along the banks of the River Wye in Monmouthshire and is the oldest surviving post-Roman stone fortifications in Britain. It also boasts the oldest castle doors in Europe, now housed in a special exhibition. Although construction began in the latter half of the 11^th century, it continued well into the 18^th century. As a result, it has no less than four baileys, which means it is a rather large castle.

Owing to the four different baileys and their associated buildings, most of which are ruined, there are lots of places for kids to explore and run around. I highly recommend a visit to the cellar, accessed from the kitchen off the main Outer Gatehouse. I won’t spoil it for you, but make sure to look up!

While Chepstow Castle is quite large, it does not have a café or toilets. There are public toilets located at the car park just at the bottom of the hill. Note that the car park is a pay-and-display car park and can get very busy, especially during school holidays, nice summer days and when special events are held at the castle. We highly recommend a visit to Chepstow Castle with kids if you are in Monmouthshire or even passing through.

By Cath at Passports and Adventures

KIDWELLY CASTLE

Kidwelly Castle is a large Norman castle that overlooks the River Gwendraeth and the small town of Kidwelly in Carmarthenshire, Wales. Although the castle changed hands several times with the Welsh in the 12^th and 13^th Centuries it remains, even today, a symbol of power and conquest.

The castle is very well preserved and you can go and see all the battlements, dungeons and keep areas. It has a fabulous view and a commanding position over the river and on a bright day you see why the Normans would have chosen such as spot. The castle has its own ghost, Gwenllian Ferch Gruffydd, who was the wife of a former resident.

Kidwelly was once used as a location for the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Its main claim to fame must be its remarkable history of siege and conquest and the fact that it was once besieged by Owain Glyn Dŵr, the last native Welshman to hold the title ‘Prince of Wales’.

The castle is great to visit on a nice day for a picnic and to let the kids play knights inside the grounds. It is completely enclosed and also dog friendly (on leads). A great place to visit for the whole family. Keep your eyes open for regular events that take place in the grounds too.

By Tracey at Pack the PJs

PEMBROKE CASTLE

Pembroke Castle lies on the southwest tip of Wales in the quaint town of Pembroke. The town alone made me feel as if I traveled back to medieval times with its ancient buildings, stone bridges, and old fashioned shops. This city sits right along the river and is surrounded by beautiful green meadows. I was blown away by the beauty of the town but what impressed us most about Pembroke were the great free family friendly events the castle hosted.

We visited during a falconry exhibition and it blew the kids away.  The exhibition was interactive and created priceless memories for the kids. At one point, they asked all the kids to lie on the grass in the courtyard and the owl flew over them so close, the wing brushed across my son’s cheek.  Pembroke Castle hosts many other events too such as tournament re-enactments with siege games, dragon days, and Quests for kids. This nearly 1000 year old castle also has a lot of intriguing history for adults and older kids. We have visited many castles in Europe and what set this castle apart from others is that this castle was still in very good condition making it so we could walk though dungeons, up spiral staircases, and along the castle walls.

By Robyn at Nomads With A Purpose

POWIS CASTLE

Powis Castle was founded in medieval times as a defensive fort. A few centuries later, when Elizabeth I was on the throne of England, it was remodelled to the red sandstone mansion you see today. It stands on an enormous rock outcrop above a series of balustraded garden terraces overlooking a manicured garden and an ornamental orchard.

The way in to Powis is through a deer park and then the main gate leads you to a beautiful little courtyard where proud and noisy peacocks strut about.

The interior is a maze of richly decorated and furnished rooms and galleries.  There are secret doors and a trapdoor for the kids to find, and the route through takes in both servants passages and the grand stair hall.  The house contains three centuries of collected valuables so you get a real feeling for life among the nobility in pre-industrial times.

Powis Castle is also home to the Robert Clive collection of exquisite items collected from India and including the finest south Asian craftsmanship of two centuries.

Our family happily spent half a day in Powis Castle and its gardens and would have stayed longer if we had been able. From the moment of making friends with the deer through treasure hunting inside and running around the terraces and orchard, our girls loved the whole place. We all enjoyed it so much that we will be hoping again soon to revisit its wonders and to take in the parts we didn’t have time for the first time.

Powis Castle is near Welshpool and is owned and managed by the National Trust.

By Ania at The Travelling Twins

CONWY CASTLE

Turrets, watchtowers and a drawbridge – these are the things most kids associate with castles, and ticking all these boxes is Conwy Castle. Conwy Castle is located in Conwy, 8 kilometres from the popular Welsh seaside resort of Llandudno.  It is an easy day trip from Liverpool which is just 90 kilometres away.

Built in the 13^th century, Conwy Castle is one of the best castles to visit with kids in Wales. Kids (and adults) of all ages will love exploring the interior, climbing the towers and walking around the high castle walls. The interior features a chapel, kitchen, great hall and private chambers, giving you a real insight into the life of a royal family in medieval times. The castle’s position on a rocky outcrop on the water’s edge and the views from the battlements make this one of the most impressive castles you will visit.

Despite its imposing size, the castle and town walls took only four years to build, an incredible feat.  Conwy Castle was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1986.

Tips for visiting Conwy Castle with kids:

• Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult
• Free entry for children under 5
• Family tickets (currently £27.50) admit two adults and up to three children under 16
• Just down the road from Conwy Castle is Quay House, Britain’s smallest house
• A fun way to reach Conwy Castle is on the Hop On Hop Off bus from Llandudno

By Carolyn at Holidays to Europe

HARLECH CASTLE

Harlech Castle is situated in North Wales, twelve miles south of Porthmadog. It is a very impressive sight as you drive into Harlech, standing on the cliff looking out to sea. It can be seen for miles around and has a very imposing climb up to the entrance, with the steps almost hidden within the rock face beneath the castle. It is known for its spectacular location and framed by the mountains of Snowdonia.

The castle was built by Edward between 1283 and 1295, by an army of approximately 1000 craftsmen and labourers. It is a walls within walls castle, meaning it has two rings of walls and towers, which made it quite a force to be reckoned with! The children loved exploring every inch of the castle and looking out to sea with the telescope.

The newly installed ‘floating’ bridge at Harlech Castle makes access to the castle easy for all. The bridge connects the castle with the visitor centre in the former Castle Hotel building. If you are looking for a unique place to stay there are also five holiday apartments available to stay in.

If you are visiting Harlech with the family I definitely recommend a visit. If you like visiting castles in Wales I would suggest a 3 or 7 day explorers pass which works out great value for money.

By Mandi at Big Family Little Adventures

PENRHYN CASTLE