Caerphilly castle is the mighty medieval castle with a large moat that we used to draw as kids. It is the largest castle in Britain after Windsor castle, and is in a surprisingly well-preserved state considering that no major alterations have been made to it since the 13th century. It is important for representing a pure example of medieval military architecture, such as the use of concentric buildings, and the large-scale use of water.
We started our journey from our Cardiff home base, and took a 20-minute train-ride over to Caerphilly. The walk there was lined with ordinary shops such as Tesco Express, or bakeries, but as soon as we turned the corner, the castle was so large it seemed to be in your face. The entire castle grounds, including the paths and benchs across the moat, makes for a great stroll and picnic.
The Great Hall inside is still being used for weddings. You can browse through most the castle inside, though most of the rooms are empty, dim, and, cold. It wouldn't be my first choice to live in, though if I was being shot at by giant siege engines, I would feel pretty safe. You can see the incredibly thick walls in the leaning tower. There is a lot of room for kids to run around and explore, and grassy patches to sit on and relax.
This is a very impressive sight. Definitely a must-see for all ages.
