Councillors are set to approve ambitious plans to revamp Caerphilly Castle to boost visitor numbers by 30%.

As part of a £5 million revamp, the Great Hall will be given a makeover and a new visitor centre will be built.

The proposals are part of Cadw’s five-year “masterplan”, which was announced in 2019, to improve the 13th century Grade I listed castle.

Planning officers have recommended that Caerphilly County Borough Council’s planning committee approve Cadw’s application when it meets on Wednesday, June 8.

Cadw is a Welsh Government body responsible for Wales’ historical sites and it hopes the proposed plans will encourage more people to visit Caerphilly Castle and the town centre.

The new visitor centre will have a reception area, café and toilets on the ground floor and staff facilities on the second.

Part of the building will have a green roof, and will have a maximum width, depth and height of approximately 31.5 metres, 16 metres and seven metres respectively.

The planning report, which will be discussed by councillors, states: “The position and height of the proposed building has also been carefully considered so that it is concealed by the castle wall when viewed from Castle Street.”

However, it will be visible from Dafydd Williams Gardens.

Outdoor seating and play areas are also proposed near the new vistor centre.

The current visitor centre will remain as a shop and ticket office.

The Great Hall is subject to minor refurbishments including underfloor heating, but most of the refurbishment work will be done on Earl’s Apartment.

Changes to the Great Hall and Earl’s Apartment will link them better and allow for a marquee to be erected when events are held at the castle.

Visitor access is also set to be improved, with decking, handrails, ramps and bridges proposed throughout the grounds, as well new benches and signs.

Work already underway

Work is already underway as part of the £5m revamp with a new roof is being fitted onto the Inner East Gatehouse, while windows are also being repaired and the building made watertight.

“It should be up there as a leading international heritage attraction”

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer in June last year, Gwilym Hughes, head of Cadw. 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.”