The 10 best Welsh castles
THE land of song is littered with fabulous castles, many of which you can stay in. Here’s our pick of the best…
1ROMANTIC STAR OF A FANTASY BBC TV SERIES
Absurdly romantic, 11th Century Manorbier, near Tenby, was used by the BBC as a location for its 1980s TV series of The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe. A mixture of ruins and fully furnished fortification, it’s usually open to the public during the day but guests get the run of it in the evenings. It sleeps 12 in comfort and is a short walk from a beach and a village with a pub. Four-night breaks from £1,299. manorbiercastle. co.uk, 01834 870081
2REGENCY LUXURY FOR BIRD LOVERS
Regency concoction Glandyfi was built in 1820 near Aberystwyth, and is surrounded by 45 acres of grounds and overlooks an RSPB nature reserve. There are just eight bedrooms tucked into its ramparts, but they have every 21st Century luxury. Dinner is served in the library, with a suit of armour standing guard. B&B doubles from £130. glandyficastle.co.uk, 01654 781238
3GOTHIC FOLLY I S YOURS FOR THE USKING…
Built in 1787 by a bereaved husband, Gothic folly Clytha lies o n a hi l l i n Monmouthshire and overlooks the Usk Valley. Restored by the Landmark Trust to its former turreted splendour; behind the arched windows are three bedrooms, log fires and tasteful antiques. Four-night breaks from £660. landmarktrust.org.uk, 01628 825925
4FOUR- POSTER LUXURY AT THIS TUDOR ROSE
With an atmosphere as deep as its 14th Century foundations, Gwydir was once the pride of Tudor Wales. But this castle fell into disrepair before being rescued by Peter Welford and Judy Corbett. Now it’s a posh B&B and there are two rooms with f our- poster beds and antiques. The town of Llanrwst is a short stroll away. B&B doubles from £105. gwydircastle. co.uk, 01492 641687
5TIME TO ROCH AND ROLL...
Roch is everything you want from a 12th Century castle, from the flag of St David’s flying from the turrets to the foot-thick walls and a commanding position with views over St Bride’s Bay in Pembrokeshire. There are six modern bedrooms, and breakfast includes fresh laverbread made with seaweed, and local honey. You’ll be driven to Blas at its sister property, the Twr y Felin Hotel, for dinner. B&B doubles from £175. rochcastle.com, 01437 887650
6GHOSTLY PERFORMANCES AT THE OPERA HOUSE
Built in 1878, Craig-y-Nos became the home of opera singer Adelina Patti. She enlarged it and added an opera house, a miniature version of La Scala, which is now used for weddings. Near Swansea, it’s reputedly haunted by Patti and is just dripping with Victorian-Gothic atmosphere. It once appeared in an episode of Doctor Who. B&B doubles from £140. craigynoscastle.com, 01639 731167
7DIGGING LIFE I N THE GARDENER’S COTTAGE
A modern community project with 11th Century roots, Cardigan castle is owned by the local council which restored it and opened it to the public in 2015. There are self-catering apartments and some rooms. Overlooking the River Teifi, the Gardener’s Cottage has antiques and a cosy atmosphere. B&B doubles from £90. cardigancastle.com, 01239 615131
8A TASTE OF THE MED I N PORTMEIRION
Portmeirion, Clough WilliamEllis’s Mediterranean-style village on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park, has its own castle. Castell Deudraeth may radiate Victorian solidity from the outside, but inside there are 11 rooms with sleek furnishings and a restaurant. Staying here also means you get to explore Portmeirion after the guests leave. B&B doubles from £114. portmeirion-village.com, 01766 772400
9MEDIEVAL FORTRESS THAT WAS FIT FOR A KING
Oliver Cromwell’s forces did their best to flatten Ruthin’s medieval fortress in the 1600s but there’s not a touch of puritanism about this North Wales boutique hotel now. It nails its Royalist colours to the flagpole with a Prince of Wales suite while the hotel restaurant, Bertie’s, is named after Edward VII, a frequent guest at Ruthin. B&B doubles from £129. ruthincastle.co.uk, 01824 702664
10 A FRENCH FANCY... BY THE MENAI STRAITS
A Loire-style chateau on the isle of Anglesey that overlooks the Menai Strait, Chateau Rhianfa was built in the mid-19th Century. This turreted concoction now has 22 luxurious bedrooms and two self-catering cottages. The rest aurant continues t he ari s t ocratic theme with panelling and posh food. B&B doubles from £160. chateaurhianfa.com, 01248 880090