This castle reopened after a two-year refurbishment (Image: Getty)
A magnificent castle in the UK has wowed visitors since it reopened to the public in 2025. The UK is full of incredible castles that are steeped in history, many of which are a go-to for tourists visiting Britain. One of those castles, which is now a top attraction in Wales, has received stellar reviews since it reopened in the summer last year. Caerphilly Castle was reopened after a £8 million two-year refurbishment brought it back to life. New exhibitions and experiences have been introduced after the closure, with areas of the castle, such as the Great Hall, being given a new lease of life.
This space, for example, used to be rather bare but is now bursting with stories as the splendour of a medieval scene has been recreated. The redesign of the castle also includes digital enhancements, which help visitors immerse themselves in the past when the castle was in its prime. The castle was constructed in 1268, and modern technology helps visitors get a feel for what life was like in the castle at the time.
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The incredible castle is surrounded by a moat (Image: Getty)
Located in the town of Caerphilly just outside of Cardiff, Caerphilly Castle is an easy tourist attraction to visit, given its proximity to other major towns and cities.
As part of the refurbishments, the medieval water-gate passageway has been made accessible to the public. Meanwhile, the Inner East Gatehouse, which you see on approach to the castle, has received significant improvements.
The refurbishment project was led by Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service that protects important sites across the country. Standard adult entry to the castle costs £11.90, but those receiving Universal Credit can get tickets for just £1.
Caerphilly Castle has been called “magnificent” by tourists (Image: Getty)
Caerphilly Castle was built as part of the Anglo-Norman expansion into South Wales. As such, it has seen its fair share of historic battles and power struggles, all of which you learn about during a visit.
Tourists have praised the visitor experience, with people labelling it “magnificent” and “fairly priced”. One reviewer shared on TripAdvisor: “A sprawling site that is quite impressive. The large site minimises crowding, so you should be able to enjoy the site at your leisure- we certainly did. Limited amount of interiors remainin,g but still well worth the visit.”
Another said: ” I cannot recommend visiting Caerphilly Castle enough! I had some free time, so I decided to visit alone one afternoon. I had a fantastic time and will definitely be bringing the family back.
“There are lots of modern touches that tell the story of the castle without detracting from the true history of the place, I can imagine kids would love this.”
A refurbishment has brought the castle back to life (Image: Getty)
A third wrote: “Thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Caerphilly Castle. It was fun to explore, with a clearly signed guided trail to ensure you see everything.
“The castle was beautiful, and they’ve made great use of animations and narration to explain some of the displays. My favourite was the story of the two dragons, with the option to have it narrated in either Welsh or English.”
Tickets must be pre-purchased online or over the phone. If you are getting the £1, you must have proof of eligibility on arrival. The experience has proved so popular that it made the list of Time Out’s best experiences in the UK for 2026.
