37 Castell Coch Facts: History, Significance And Much More

Just west of Cardiff in Wales, Castell Coch looks like the site of a Gothic-Victorian fairytale.

When in Wales, make sure to find some time to visit this castle and indulge in its beautiful architecture and interiors. It was built and designed by William Burges.

Castell Coch is a classic example of all that architects can achieve if given the creative freedom to do so. This castle is surrounded by beech forests and stands as a reminder of the High Victorian Era and how rich families often took a fancy to a place and made it into a larger-than-life fantasy castle.

Castell Coch is now open for school visits and is a large tourist attraction for people visiting Cardiff for the first time. It has parking just below the castle grounds and has full access and an audio tour. The many facilities provided by the castle should be reason enough for you to plan a visit!

Facts About Castell Coch

Castell Coch is nothing less than a fairytale castle that was built by the third Marquess of Bute, Crichton Stewart.

The remains of the original medieval castle took the fancy of the Marquess of Bute in the late 19th century, and he gave full freedom to one of the leading architects of the time to do whatever he wanted to do with the magnificent site.

The result is what stands as the 'Red Castle' (or Castell Coch) today.

• Castell Coch is located in Wales, just west of Cardiff.
• The original castle was built in the 13th century and did not survive the Welsh rebellion.
• The medieval remains are what Castell Coch is now built on in Wales.
• The conical roof structure of the castle is what incites the sense that the castle was built for a fairytale.
• However, the actual history of the castle is such that none of the people that built it could spend much time here.
• Castell Coch is one of the Welsh castles that show the fancy that the rich people of the Victorian era could take to something.
• The Red Castle is now open for tourist visits and even for ceremonies.
• If you have been looking for a place to hold a grand ceremony in Cardiff, Wales, Castell Coch will provide you with the best facilities along with an unmistakably beautiful backdrop.
• The interiors of the castle were designed and fitted by the architect named William Burges, who clearly put a lot of time and thought into the entire process.

History Of Castell Coch

Castell Coch has a rather simple history compared to the other medieval castles in Wales. The history of this fairytale castle is sparse and unexciting since it was just a castle that people of the 13th and then the 19th centuries used as a retreat from their original castles.

• Victorians are known to have had a liking for the design and architecture of the Middle Ages, which is also what inspired the third Marquess of Bute to rebuild the castle and make his own mark on the beautiful landscape of Cardiff, Wales.
• When driving through the west of Cardiff, it becomes absolutely impossible to miss out on the beauty of the castle, and you must stop to appreciate at least one of its beautiful stone towers.
• Each tower has a conical top, which is reminiscent of the Gothic style of architecture that the Victorians loved and appreciated.
• This castle, therefore, stands as a reminder of the High Victorian Era and their love for great towers and drawbridges.
• The castle, however, was initially a hunting lodge.
• Before Castell Coch or Castle Coch came into being, the same foundations of the structure were used by Marcher Lord Gilbert de Clare.
• He was known as a ruthless person, but he admired beautifully designed castles.
• Although the hunting lodge was destroyed during the Welsh rebellion, the remains of what Gilbert de Clare built became a very attractive spot for Crichton Stewart to build a summer home or a retreat for himself and his family.
• The building of Castell Coch, as we see it today, began in the year 1871.
• William Burges, who was a renowned architect of the time, took on the project of building the great towers and continued his work even after the death of the marquess.
• Castell Coch was intended as a mere retreat for the marquess whenever he needed some time off from his original home, which was Cardiff Castle.
• The ruins of the original castle are what the present castle stands on.
• William Burges, the architect who envisioned and spent his time and efforts for the grand project of Red Castle, died in the year 1881, almost 10 years after Castle Coch began to be built.
• The project was then continued by William Frame, who took at least another 10 years to complete the castle and make it stand in all the glory that it does today!
• The third Marquess, John Crichton Stewart, died in the year 1900.
• It was, therefore, very unfortunate that the person who first envisioned Castell Coch was unable to live in it for long.
• Later, the castle became open to visitors and ceremonies.

Materials Used For Building Castell Coch

The Red Castle of South Wales was originally built in the late 19th century, and hence, many of the architectural methods and materials became out-of-date in a few years. Furthermore, since Castell Coch was to be opened for visits by tourists and students, some renovations were in order.

• When Burges died, he had already set up the entire vision for Castell Coch, and hence, William Frame had to just go by the book whilst also adding some touches as he deemed fit.
• This castle in Cardiff was initially made of stone tiles, which eventually had to be changed in order to keep the foundation of the castle strong.
• Furthermore, each tower and floor of the castle was to be made fit for visits, which called for other renovations, such as the installation of restrooms and baby changing rooms.
• This castle in Wales is, therefore, now a specimen of Victorian Gothic architecture.
• The interior of the castle can hardly be distinguished from the tower structure that stands outside.
• Each extensively large room of the castle is lined with objects which remind people of the rich history and prosperity of Wales.
• Some of the beds in the castle are adorned with crystal balls, and the rooms have Gothic-style curtains, which was the original vision that the marquess had for the place.
• One of the lesser-known facts about Castell Coch is that it now houses rooms such as a kid's activity room, which make the Victorian history of the place all the more interesting for children to learn about and indulge in.
• The gift shop is a great place for you to pick up some souvenirs to remember the castle and its beauty.
• Castell Coch has a moat and a working drawbridge.
• The depiction of The Three Fates above the chimney is very beautiful and is definitely worth checking out.