Cardigan Castle

Top choice


Cardigan Castle holds an important place in Welsh culture, having been the venue for the first competitive National Eisteddfod, held in 1176 under the aegis of Lord Rhys ap Gruffydd. Neglected for years, it's sprung from the ashes via a multimillion-pound refurbishment and now stands as a major centre of local Welsh culture, with permanent exhibitions on the castle, Cardigan and the Eisteddfod, live performances, language classes, festivals and more taking place within its hollowed-out walls.

Kids and mammal-lovers will get a kick out of 'bat-cam' – a live feed from the colony of greater horseshoe bats that squats in the medieval cellar beneath the handsome Georgian house that now dominates the grounds. Below the main buildings are the 2-acre Regency Gardens, where many rare and archaic plants are among the 130 species cultivated. Last, there's a restaurant, and pleasant accommodation in the castle's old stables and other outbuildings. Bed-and-breakfast doubles start at £90, or £420 per week for self-catering.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Guildhall

0.15 MILES

Completed in 1860, Cardigan's 'modern Gothic' Guildhall is home to community meeting spaces, the Corn Exchange gallery and an eclectic indoor market,…

2. Welsh Wildlife Centre

0.83 MILES

Bordering the River Teifi just south of Cardigan, the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve is a haven for kingfishers, owls, otters, badgers and butterflies. You…

3. St Dogmaels Abbey

0.86 MILES

Built by a reforming Benedictine community from France in 1120 on the site of an already-ancient Celtic monastery, St Dogmaels' active life lasted until…

4. Mwnt Church

3.92 MILES

This lovely, lonely church, 5 miles from Cardigan along winding country lanes leading to sea cliffs, is striking for its simplicity and remoteness…

5. Castell Henllys

5.72 MILES

If you've ever wondered what a Celtic village looked, felt and smelt like, take a trip back in time to this Iron Age settlement, 4 miles east of Newport…

6. St Brynach's Church

6.95 MILES

With its overgrown castle and atmospheric church, the little village of Nevern, 2 miles east of Newport, makes a good objective for an easy walk or ride…

7. Pentre Ifan

7.39 MILES

The largest neolithic dolmen in Wales, Pentre Ifan is a 5500-year-old neolithic burial chamber set on a remote hillside with superb views across the…

8. Carreg Coetan Arthur

8.38 MILES

Now surrounded by fields and houses, this little dolmen has been here for 5000 years. At first glance it looks like the capstone is securely supported by…