Cardiff Castle

Following on from yesterday I have some more pictures taken at Cardiff Castle which I visited with Student Daughter. We were able to make use of her having a "key" to the castle which gave her free entry and a discount for myself.

It was a blazing hot Saturday with a lot of tourists visiting but the queue to enter proved not to be so bad as it first looked so we were soon heading towards the Norman Keep. It is twelve sided and apparently the finest in Wales. Most of you will know that there is plenty of choice of keeps and castles in Wales. 

The queuing wasn't over as the number of people in the keep is limited so we joined another queue to wait to cross over the moat and ascend the steps to the entrance.

Then after another queue which was somewhat more chaotic with nobody to supervise the flow of people we had a chance to climb up to the top of the tower to the viewing platform.

It was a worthwhile climb with views for miles around in every direction making it quite clear why such a position was chosen. These photos look towards the Castle House with a modern Cardiff behind including the Principality Stadium, home of Welsh rugby.

An opportunity for a framed view couldn't be missed. I lined myself up to take this picture and was interrupted as two Italian youngsters appeared and planted themselves firmly in the opening. There was only one thing to do so after waiting a reasonable amount of time I embarrassed my daughter in a way only a parent can do by calling and gesticulating to the two boys to clear out the way!

                       

We then escaped the scorching sun with a look around the house. It is possible to do a tour but with a full schedule for the day ahead we decided to leave that for another day. The last family to occupy the house and castle was the Bute family the last being the 4th Marquis of Bute. The house is extremely ornate. This is but a taster.

This octagonal staircase can be viewed from the top and bottom. I see however that it is possible to book a private tour with champagne and then propose to your loved one on the staircase. Now why didn't farmer husband think of that 25 years ago?

Our next wander was around some of the covered battlements.

Then past some of the many activities on the lawn.

To a walk under the battlements showing where parts of the castle were used as air raid shelters in World War 2.

Then it was a final walk back along the battlements past the moat and keep.

We saw a lot in a short while but I am sure a second visit would be worthwhile.