Conservation & Heritage Issue 49 October 2025 - Flipbook - Page 58
A medieval makeover!
Caerphilly Castle’s
Great Hall reopens
Following two years of extensive conservation and refurbishment, Caerphilly Castle - the
biggest castle in Wales - reopened to visitors on the 19th July, bringing back to life the Great
Hall, inner castle ward and unveiling state-of-the-art digital exhibits.
Tracing its beginnings back to 1268, Caerphilly Castle was
a fortress for the Marcher Lord Gilbert de Clare who built
the formidable castle to protect himself from the rise of the
Prince of Wales, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd.
gate passageway which connects the hall to the southern
lake. They also carried out major repairs to the Inner East
Gatehouse that dominates the approach to the castle’s
inner ward.
The iconic Great Hall, built in the 13th century, is just
one of many historic buildings within the castle which has
benefited from painstaking investigation and conservation
works by a team of specialists, including stonemasons,
archaeologists and conservation experts.
Accessibility has been improved too, with new paths and
ramps and a wildflower garden to better ensure everyone
can enjoy the beautiful setting.
Its refurbishment sees the giant space decorated to reflect
the grandeur of how it might have appeared in its medieval
heyday, and along with digital enhancements, visitors will be
transported back to the 1320’s when a mighty royal feast was
hosted there.
The castle reopened on Saturday 19 July with new
interactive exhibits to tell the many stories of the castle
and the men, women and children who lived in it over the
centuries. They detail power struggles, betrayals and liaisons
of people who built and fought over the castle, as well as
introducing visitors to the Fourth Marquis of Bute who
funded its reconstruction in the 1920s.
In addition to the works to the Great Hall, Cadw has
conserved and opened for public access the medieval water-
Over £8million has been invested at Caerphilly since plans
for developing the castle were first proposed by the Welsh
Government’s historic environment service, Cadw, in 2021.
This refurbishment has also brought 21st century
technology to the visitor facilities. The Great Hall now
benefits from under-floor heating and a top-spec kitchen for
events and weddings, and new visitor toilets and accessible
paths will help visitors of all ages to enjoy the castle.
As part of the Welsh Government’s commitment of making
culture accessible to all, it was also announced that anyone
on Universal Credit can buy tickets for any Cadw-staffed
site at a cost of just £1 per person (except for Castell Carreg
Cennen and Weobley Castle). Tickets must be bought in
advance online or over the phone, and proof of eligibility
provided upon arrival.
Below, Picture of Caerphilly Castle
I
Conservation & Heritage Journal
56
I
