Castell Coch and Caerphilly
Trip Start
Aug 26, 1999
1
14
93
Trip End
Nov 29, 1999
Ystradfellte, United Kingdom
Friday, September 10, 1999
Alex:
Regretfully left our haven not much before 10am and headed off to look at the second of what will no doubt be a dozen or more castles by the time we leave the U.K. This was a fairly modern one - Castell Coch, built in the last century by somebody eccentric who wanted a medieval castle for his summer home, but got bored with the idea after it was finished. So it wasn't what we considered a "real" castle. From there we drove to Caerphilly, to visit the "real" castle built in the 13th century by Gilbert de Clare during his ongoing disagreement with Llewellyn the Great - these historical figures were the heroes of one of Sharon Penman's historical novels, which have been amongst my favourites for years - this was the type of thing I came to Wales to see! It was a huge structure (among the largest castles in G.B.), partially in ruins (including a leaning tower which would easily out-lean its more famous cousin in Pisa), but it was enough to fire up our fertile imaginations and we left feeling quite satisfied with a "true castle experience".
After devouring the scanty leftovers from last night's dinner for lunch, we set course for the nearest Youth Hostel, and found it with relative ease at the end of a long narrow winding lane, miles form anything, in the middle of the Brecon Beacons National Park. It should be a peaceful night.
