£5m Caerphilly Castle revamp plans lodged

Plans for a £5m revamp of Caerphilly Castle, which would see the Great Hall given a makeover and a new visitor centre built within the castle walls, have been lodged by Cadw.

The proposals, which were first announced in June this year, aim to turn the 13th century castle into a “world class heritage attraction”.

Interactive imagery and handheld digital devices could also be used across the castle to explain its history to visitors.

Currently, the castle is closed to visitors on weekdays while “vital” conservation work is carried out on the Inner East Gatehouse. The work began in November, with the castle set to remain closed on weekdays until December 27.

It will be open to visitors between December 27 and December 31, before closing on weekdays again until mid-January.

A new roof is being fitted onto the Inner East Gatehouse, while windows are repaired and the building is being made watertight.

Work to build the visitor centre and refurbish the Great Hall and Earl’s Apartment area is set to start in the spring, if approved by Caerphilly County Borough Council.

The new visitor centre, which would include a cafe, teaching area and Cadw offices.

The plans come as part of the wider £8.1m Caerphilly Castle masterplan, which was announced by Cadw in 2019.

Gwilym Hughes, head of Cadw – the body responsible for Wales’ historical monuments – said the he was confident the “ambitious” plans will “transform the visitor experience at the site”.

Mr Hughes said: “While Caerphilly Castle is an internationally-renowned monument, we recognise that first and foremost it is a local asset. We hope that local people will support our plans to invest in the Castle — which will in turn boost the local economy.” 

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer in June, Mr Hughes said: “At the moment, we’re getting something like 100,000 to 120,000 visitors a year. That’s far short of what I think it could be.

“Our castles up in North Wales, like Caernarfon and Conwy, get double that. Cardiff Castle gets triple that. Now that’s not right.

“This is one of the most magnificent castles anywhere in Western Europe. It should be up there as a leading international heritage attraction anywhere – and that’s our ambition.”

Councillor Philippa Marsden, leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, said: “The developments planned for the monument will further consolidate the castle as a must-see attraction in Wales, encouraging more people to visit our wonderful town.”

Cllr Shayne Cook, who represents the Morgan Jones ward where the castle is located, said: “Myself and my ward colleague, Cllr Jamie Pritchard, have been campaigning for increased investments in the castle, and we are glad to see these new developments – which will attract more visitors and therefore help boost trade in the town.”