Holiday accommodation in Caerphilly – castle, mining history and nature

Caerphilly begins with an unusual sense of scale: Caerphilly Castle occupies a 30-acre site and is the largest castle in Wales and, after Windsor Castle, the second-largest in Great Britain. The castle was built from 1268 onwards by the Marcher lord Gilbert de Clare. Medieval architecture, mining history, landscape parks and active trails come together to create a varied local character.

Caerphilly Audio Tours offers another way to explore the town’s history, with a self-guided walking tour through the history and legends of Caerphilly.

Culture and history

Historical traces can also be found in the landscape away from the great castle. Gelligaer Roman Fort is an auxiliary fort that was first excavated towards the end of the 19th century; its remains are now hidden beneath a covering of grass. The fort includes an interpretation area, roadside parking, a viewpoint and picnic benches. There is also a Discovery Trail for the whole family.

The Aber Valley Heritage Museum displays mining-related objects, photographs, archive films and interactive touchscreens. Exhibits include images of people from the valley, local landmarks and buildings. The museum focuses in particular on Universal Colliery in Senghenydd and Windsor Colliery in Abertridwr. The three-mile Walking Through Time route leads through the Aber Valley and connects 30 attractions marked by blue plaques.

In Senghenydd, the Senghenydd National Mining Memorial commemorates the victims of 152 mining disasters in Wales. The Senghenydd Memorial Garden includes a bronze statue, a memorial wall and a remembrance path; there is a ceramic tile for each disaster. The Memorial Garden in Senghenydd was officially recognised by the Welsh Government as the National Mining Disaster Memorial Garden of Wales. The Welsh National and Universal Mining Disaster Memorial Garden in Senghenydd is also listed in Cadw’s register of historic parks and gardens.

Caerphilly Workmen’s Hall was awarded Grade II listed building status in the 1990s. The venue for community arts and entertainment can host theatre productions, stand-up comedy, rock concerts and pantomimes, among other events.

Nature and activities

Parc Penallta encompasses woodland, ponds, grassland, orchids, dragonflies, flowering meadows and other habitats for wildlife. The High Point Observatory offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. A figurative earth sculpture in Parc Penallta is 200 metres long and 15 metres high, making it one of the largest figurative earth sculptures in the country.

Cwmcarn Forest contains several trails and routes with different layouts. The Twrch Trail offers 15.5 kilometres of almost continuous singletrack for mountain biking and can be ridden all year round. The nine-mile 1807 Walk passes historical features, woodland areas and viewpoints. There is also a 1.2-mile circular route with 21 points of interest, which can be found using an explorer map.

A route beginning in Caerphilly leads to quiet green fields, woodland areas and protected wildlife areas. Caerphilly itself is also home to Van Rd Trails, a free-to-use, not-for-profit dirt-jump bike facility. It holds weekly club nights in summer and an annual dual slalom competition in autumn.

Transport

Caerphilly Transport Interchange is located near Caerphilly Castle. From there, trains to Bargoed and Cardiff run approximately every 10 to 20 minutes, while trains to Rhymney run approximately every 30 minutes.

Events and local life

Ffos Caerffili is home to more than 20 independent traders. They offer street food and handmade goods, among other things. Ffos Caerffili also hosts free and paid events, including craft markets, perry and cider festivals, live comedy, music and quiz nights.

The festival in Caerphilly features a large travelling cheese market, a food court, arts and crafts stalls along the castle moat and re-enactments of various battles.

For further location options, you can find the pages for Blackwood, Caerphilly, Crosskeys, Oakdale, Rhymney, Bedwas and Cwmfelinfach here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Wales.

Other destinations

More places within the same destination:

Neath Port Talbot.