Visitor numbers at Caerphilly Castle have risen significantly in the year since its Great Hall reopened following an £8 million programme of conservation and refurbishment. Wales’ largest castle is now among Cadw’s five most visited historic sites this year, while further work is underway to preserve its outer defences.
The Great Hall reopened in July 2025 after the completion of the first phase of improvements led by Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service. Alongside restoring the hall, the project improved accessibility, enhanced the inner east gatehouse and opened the castle’s medieval water-gate passageway to visitors.
In the twelve months since the reopening, visitor numbers have climbed to 20 per cent above levels recorded in the years before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Caerphilly Castle is such a special place to many, and these past twelve months have shown just how much people value having such a magnificent monument restored and brought back to life,” said Heledd Fychan, Wales’ Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Sport. “The response from visitors has been wonderful – from families discovering the castle’s medieval stories for the first time to communities reconnecting with their heritage. It is good to see that Caerphilly is now one of our most visited Cadw sites, and that our £1 ticket scheme is helping more people access it, regardless of their circumstances.”
Conservation continues around the castle lakes
Photo courtesy Cadw
Work at Caerphilly Castle is continuing this summer, with attention now focused on the walls forming its outer defences and helping to retain the extensive artificial lakes surrounding the site.
Specialist contractors have recently been working on the South Dam platform wall. Visitors can watch the team using rope-access techniques to remove vegetation and repoint sections of the stonework with traditional lime mortar.
From early July, Cadw’s in-house heritage conservation team, Cadwraeth, began work on the North Dam platform wall. The project is also giving one of Cadw’s newly appointed trainee stonemasons an opportunity to develop practical conservation skills while working on one of Wales’ most important medieval monuments.
“The conservation work you can see taking place on the castle walls right now – including our own trainee masons developing their craft on one of Wales’ greatest monuments – is proof of our ongoing commitment to protecting this place for future generations,” Fychan added.
Planning has also begun for the second phase of improvements at the castle, which will concentrate on enhancing the welcome provided to visitors and their overall experience of the site.
Dr Kathryn Roberts, Chief Executive of Cadw, described the first anniversary of the Great Hall’s reopening as an important milestone. “Reaching this milestone is a testament to the dedication of everyone at Cadw and our partners who have worked so hard to bring Caerphilly Castle back to life,” she said. “Seeing increased numbers of people walk through its gates, discovering its stories and connecting with their heritage, is exactly why this work matters. Caring for this remarkable monument is a real privilege and we are working to ensure that it remains at the heart of its community for generations to come.”
Expanding access to Welsh heritage
Photo by Richard Szwejkowski / Flickr
Cadw’s £1 admission scheme for people receiving Universal Credit was introduced at the same time as the Great Hall reopened. Almost 1,400 people have since used the scheme to visit Caerphilly Castle.
The castle will also host one of Cadw’s family events later this summer. Go Wild will take place from Saturday, 29 August to Monday, 31 August, between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm. The nature-themed event will include a quest through the castle grounds and hands-on craft activities inspired by the natural world.
Fychan encouraged families to visit Caerphilly Castle and other Cadw properties during the summer: “But wherever you are in Wales, there will be an incredible Cadw site within reach. I’d urge everyone to discover theirs and make a visit this summer.”
The continuing transformation of Caerphilly Castle forms part of the wider Caerphilly Town 2035 placemaking programme. The partnership between the Welsh Government, Caerphilly County Borough Council and Transport for Wales aims to regenerate the town while keeping the medieval castle at the centre of community life.
Visitor numbers at Caerphilly Castle have risen significantly in the year since its Great Hall reopened following an £8 million programme of conservation and refurbishment. Wales’ largest castle is now among Cadw’s five most visited historic sites this year, while further work is underway to preserve its outer defences.
The Great Hall reopened in July 2025 after the completion of the first phase of improvements led by Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service. Alongside restoring the hall, the project improved accessibility, enhanced the inner east gatehouse and opened the castle’s medieval water-gate passageway to visitors.
In the twelve months since the reopening, visitor numbers have climbed to 20 per cent above levels recorded in the years before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Caerphilly Castle is such a special place to many, and these past twelve months have shown just how much people value having such a magnificent monument restored and brought back to life,” said Heledd Fychan, Wales’ Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Sport. “The response from visitors has been wonderful – from families discovering the castle’s medieval stories for the first time to communities reconnecting with their heritage. It is good to see that Caerphilly is now one of our most visited Cadw sites, and that our £1 ticket scheme is helping more people access it, regardless of their circumstances.”
Conservation continues around the castle lakes
Work at Caerphilly Castle is continuing this summer, with attention now focused on the walls forming its outer defences and helping to retain the extensive artificial lakes surrounding the site.
Specialist contractors have recently been working on the South Dam platform wall. Visitors can watch the team using rope-access techniques to remove vegetation and repoint sections of the stonework with traditional lime mortar.
From early July, Cadw’s in-house heritage conservation team, Cadwraeth, began work on the North Dam platform wall. The project is also giving one of Cadw’s newly appointed trainee stonemasons an opportunity to develop practical conservation skills while working on one of Wales’ most important medieval monuments.
“The conservation work you can see taking place on the castle walls right now – including our own trainee masons developing their craft on one of Wales’ greatest monuments – is proof of our ongoing commitment to protecting this place for future generations,” Fychan added.
Planning has also begun for the second phase of improvements at the castle, which will concentrate on enhancing the welcome provided to visitors and their overall experience of the site.
Dr Kathryn Roberts, Chief Executive of Cadw, described the first anniversary of the Great Hall’s reopening as an important milestone. “Reaching this milestone is a testament to the dedication of everyone at Cadw and our partners who have worked so hard to bring Caerphilly Castle back to life,” she said. “Seeing increased numbers of people walk through its gates, discovering its stories and connecting with their heritage, is exactly why this work matters. Caring for this remarkable monument is a real privilege and we are working to ensure that it remains at the heart of its community for generations to come.”
Expanding access to Welsh heritage
Cadw’s £1 admission scheme for people receiving Universal Credit was introduced at the same time as the Great Hall reopened. Almost 1,400 people have since used the scheme to visit Caerphilly Castle.
The castle will also host one of Cadw’s family events later this summer. Go Wild will take place from Saturday, 29 August to Monday, 31 August, between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm. The nature-themed event will include a quest through the castle grounds and hands-on craft activities inspired by the natural world.
Fychan encouraged families to visit Caerphilly Castle and other Cadw properties during the summer: “But wherever you are in Wales, there will be an incredible Cadw site within reach. I’d urge everyone to discover theirs and make a visit this summer.”
The continuing transformation of Caerphilly Castle forms part of the wider Caerphilly Town 2035 placemaking programme. The partnership between the Welsh Government, Caerphilly County Borough Council and Transport for Wales aims to regenerate the town while keeping the medieval castle at the centre of community life.
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