CATEGORY · A HUDDLEPIN LIST
Castles, Historic Houses & Heritage in Cardiff
Cardiff Castle sits right in the middle of town, with battlements to climb and house tours to book, from £11 (under-5s go free). Bute Park next door is free, with a story trail, a champion tree hunt and a carved animal wall to spot on the way round. Out at St Fagans, entry to the 50 rebuilt buildings and farm is free too, though the car park will cost you £7. For a cheap day with a castle feel, Ogmore Castle in Bridgend is free to clamber over by the river, open daily from 10am to 4pm. Families with school-age kids might prefer out at Caerleon, where the Roman baths (ages 5-17, from £4) come with a film bringing the old pool back to life, and the Roman Legion Museum next to it is free with barracks and a garden to explore. Cyfarthfa Castle Museum, a longer trip out to Merthyr Tydfil, has parkland and a model railway tearoom, with under-16s free. Most sites here have parking and toilets, so check which suits your day before setting off.
16 places 1 upcoming event 10 free to visit
What's on: castles, historic houses & heritage
Places for castles, historic houses & heritage
from £2.50Ashton Court Mansion
Bristol
A grand old mansion hosting antique and car shows, markets and fairs, with under 16s free at the shows.
FreeBute Park
Cardiff
A free, sprawling park with a story trail, a champion tree hunt and a carved animal wall to spot along the way.
Baby changeBike parkingCaféDog friendly+3 more
from £4Caerleon Roman Fortress Baths
Newport · ages 5-17
A covered Roman swimming pool you can walk right up to, plus a film that brings the old baths back to life.
Dog friendlyGift shopHearing loopParking+2 more
from £11Cardiff Castle
Cardiff
City-centre Norman keep and apartments - battlements, house tours and under-5s free.
Gift shopFood on siteParkingWheelchair accessible+4 more
from £3.50Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery
Merthyr Tydfil
A castle museum with parkland to explore, a model railway tearoom and free entry for under-16s.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBlue badge parkingCafé+6 more
FreeKings Weston House
Bristol
Free grounds to wander with views over the Bristol Channel, plus a café for cake when the legs give out.
Accessible toiletCaféDog friendlyFree parking+3 more
from £7.20Llys a Chastell Tre-tŵr / Tretower Court and Castle
Crickhowell · ages 5+
A fortified medieval court next to a ruined castle tower, with dressed rooms to explore and a real "step back in time" feel.
Baby changeBike parkingDog friendlyGift shop+5 more
FreeNational Roman Legion Museum
Caerleon, Newport
Free Caerleon Roman museum with barracks and garden - Soft Play N never.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingDog friendly+13 more
FreeOgmore Castle
Bridgend
Free ruined stone walls to clamber over by a river, open daily from 10am to 4pm.
Dog friendlyParking
FreeOld Beaupre Castle
Cowbridge
Free ruins to poke around after a walk across a couple of farmers' fields near Cowbridge.
Toilets
FreePierhead Building
Cardiff
Free entry to Cardiff Bay's landmark building, with a giant floor map of Wales, a trail for 5 to 7 year olds and free tours of the Senedd.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingBottle warming+13 more
FreeSt Fagans National Museum of History
Cardiff
Free Wales open-air history museum near Cardiff - buildings, farm and craft demos.
Accessible toiletCaféGift shopParking+2 more
FreeSt Fagans National Museum of History Car Park
Cardiff
Free entry to 50 rebuilt historic buildings, woodland and parkland to wander, though parking will cost you £7.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingCafé+9 more
FreeSt John's House Trust
Bridgend
Free entry to a historic house that opens just twice a month, with forest school activities laid on for children.
FreeSt Quentin’s Castle (Llanblethian Castle)
Cowbridge
Free ruins to clamber round on the edge of Cowbridge, with steep old steps that make it feel like a proper explore.
Bike parkingDog friendly
Wales Millennium Centre
Cardiff
A working theatre in Cardiff Bay where kids catch big touring musicals, opera or family shows, with a buggy park laid on for children's performances.
Accessible toiletBaby changeGift shopFood on site+2 more
Good to know: castles, historic houses & heritage in Cardiff
Are any of them free?
Yes, Bute Park, Kings Weston House, National Roman Legion Museum, Ogmore Castle and 6 more are free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £2.50 at Ashton Court Mansion. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.
Which ones are indoor?
Caerleon Roman Fortress Baths, Pierhead Building, St John's House Trust and Wales Millennium Centre are indoor, good to keep up your sleeve for a rainy day.
Whereabouts are they?
You'll find castles, historic houses & heritage in Bristol, Cardiff, Newport, Merthyr Tydfil, Crickhowell and 3 more. Every place we list is in or around Cardiff, and each listing has the full address and directions.
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