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Caerphilly Castle is closed this week while scaffolding is removed from its inner east gatehouse.

The 13th century venue will reopen on Saturday, November 19.

Scaffolding has been up for much of the year while a new roof has been fitted on the inner east gatehouse as part of a £5m revamp.

Windows have also been repaired, while the building has been made watertight.

The revamp is part of Cadw’s five-year “masterplan”, which was announced in 2019, to improve the 13th century Grade I listed castle and boost visitor numbers by 30%.

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.

As part of the revamp, the castle’s Great Hall will also be given a makeover and a new visitor centre will be built.

The new visitor centre will have a green roof and a glazed front. It will be a maximum width, depth and height of approximately 31.5 metres, 16 metres and seven metres respectively.

The visitor centre will have a reception area, café and toilets on the ground floor, and staff facilities on the second. In addition to seating and play areas outside.

Other parts of the development include the current visitor centre, which will remain as a shop and ticket office, with some internal alterations.

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

Earl’s Apartment is the name for the ruins near the Great Hall.

Changes to the Great Hall and Earl’s Apartment will allow for a marquee and pop-up bar 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.

Additional reporting by the Local Democracy Reporting Service