What do stone walls, mossy steps and climbing rose bushes have in common? All were part of the enchanting landscape we discovered at Caldicot Castle in Wales.
Our family went on a month-long trip to the United Kingdom in fall 2022. We brought our three kids on an exciting adventure that took us to London, Bristol, Bath, Wales, and Edinburgh, Scotland. While on this trip, our visit to Caldicot Castle in Wales was definitely a highlight!
Video: Caldicot Castle Visit
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Caldicot Castle was created to be a medieval stronghold in the town of Caldicot, Monmouthshire, in southeast Wales. Because it’s seasonally open to the public, visitors can go on a self-guided tour of this amazing stone castle. Inside the fortress, medieval-style furniture tastefully furnishes the rooms. Alternately, brightly colored banners decorate the walls. Outside, guests can tour the grounds, climb to the top of stone towers, and walk through a whimsical garden. Last but not least, the castle walls themselves are an impressive sight.
Who build Caldicot Castle?
Sometimes when we visit an interesting structure, I wonder who built it. Evidently, Caldicot Castle was built by the Normans and developed in stages. First, they built a grassy moat and a sturdy wall as early as 1086. Over time, dwellers of the castle added the round stone keep possibly in 1221, interior rooms, the front gate, battlements and turrets. Once completed, I imagine this castle looked like an impressive achievement for its time.
The castle’s stone gate and drawbridge is especially monumental.
This stone interior room contains tables, banners and items that could have belonged to knights in charge of guarding the castle gate.
Medieval Dress Up
Our kids really enjoyed visiting the great hall and even dressing up as ladies-in-waiting and knights. They chose outfits from a rack of dress up clothing available in the hall. This was alongside long tables decorated with cups, platters and play food.
Dressing up at Caldicot Castle in Wales.
Outside the banquet hall, the castle yard contains lots of places to explore. The pretty green of a whimsical castle garden stands out against the weathered stone walls.
Exploring the Castle Towers, Walls & Keep
Next on our tour, we climbed the stone steps of a tower and saw a birds-eye view of the castle walls and surrounding countryside. Another stone tower led us to the trapdoor of a dark dungeon at the base of the tower.
The Caldicot Castle stone keep, possibly constructed in 1221.
Like many fortresses, Caldicot Castle has a grassy dry moat that looks like a ditch, which surrounds the stone castle walls.
I especially liked the romantic details of this old stone castle. For example, old stone steps accented with moss led up to the top of weathered stone walls. Furthermore, a climbing rose decorated the wall of a small stone building, possibly used by a gardener. Even the leaded glass window panes fit the style of a medieval castle.
Additionally, climbing green ivy completed the design of intricate stone windows, topped by broken battlements. I learned that crenels and merlons are the alternating stone sections at the top of a castle wall.
Overall, we had a great time exploring Caldicot Castle in Wales, both inside and out! After we walked through all the rooms and toured the castle grounds, we went on a walk outside the walls. The view of this medieval stone castle is just as impressive from the outside.
Outside the stone walls at Caldicot Castle in Wales.
This beautiful medieval castle is a great destination for families visiting Wales. The self-guided tour was very kid-friendly and entry was free, as of October 2022. We made some fun memories here with our kids.
Hi, I’m Katie! I’m a homeschool mom who’s traveling the world with my husband and 4 kids. We raised our family in North Idaho and currently live in Mérida, Mexico. I love Jesus, coffee, creative projects, photography, and traveling. I hope you enjoy our creative ideas and family adventures!
