Castell Coch: A Fairytale Fortress with a Splash of Victorian Vino

Castell Coch: the castle that looks like it was plucked straight from a whimsical storybook, with spires to make Rapunzel reconsider her tower options.

Nestled above the charming village of Tongwynlais in South Wales, this Gothic Revival gem is not just a pretty facade; it’s a relic oozing with history, tales of conquest, and, of course, a vineyard or two!

The first iteration of this castle was erected by the Normans—those adventurous soul-wearers—post 1081, after they subdued the proud inhabitants of Cardiff. Can you imagine the locals? Watching as the Normans threw up a medieval party house atop a hill, likely muttering, “There goes the neighborhood.” Fast forward a few hundred years, and enter Gilbert de Clare, who thought the existing earth motte could use a little stone bling. Between 1267 and 1277, he lavished stonework on the place like it was going out of style.

Now, let’s skip ahead to 1848. Enter John Crichton-Stuart, the 3rd Marquess of Bute (we’re just going to call him John because that’s a mouthful). He inherited the crumbling remains of this castle and, being one of Britain’s wealthiest individuals, he decided to play castle architect. He hired William Burges—a chap with a flair for the extravagant—to turn the dilapidated ruins into a summer residence fit for royalty and their high-society pals. Imagine the social events! If only we could turn back time and witness pompous nobles scampering up the hill for tea and gossip.

Burges worked his magic on the outside, but sadly, he didn’t get to complete the interior before he passed away in 1881. Yet, fear not! His talented team soldiered on and finished it in 1891, leaving behind an opulent interior splashed with design elements inspired by classical mythology. If ‘over-the-top’ were an art form, consider this place the Louvre of castles.

And did I mention the vineyard? That’s right! Below the castle, amidst the romance of its lofty silhouette, Crichton-Stuart planted a vineyard that produced wine until the First World War. I can only imagine guests toasting with the finest Welch-red, pondering the meaning of life while gazing into the distance towards the enchanting hills of Wales.

Today, Castell Coch stands tall, both a testament to Victorian architecture and a monument to the whimsical genius of Burges. It’s a picturesque site that transports visitors back in time while simultaneously whispering tales of its past. So next time you’re wandering through South Wales, don’t just stroll past the charming village of Tongwynlais. Stop, have a picnic, and raise a glass of local wine in front of this castle—because if you’re going to admire a Gothic Revival masterpiece, you might as well do it with a little cheer in hand!

Wikipedia article of the day is “Castel Coch”.
Check it out: Article-Link