The town of Caerphillyhas made a name for itself thanks to the eponymous soft, crumbly white cheeseand the fantastical castle that guards the entrance to the Rhymney Valley,looking as if it has just emerged from a fairy tale rather than been built onthe lush green ground that surrounds it.
More thanCheese and Castles
Of course it’s not all cheese and castles in Caerphilly.Conveniently located in SouthWales just seven miles from the vibrant capital of Cardiff, a 30minute drive from the seaside shenanigans of Barry and in easy strikingdistance of some sumptuous South Wales scenery, Caerphillyoffers visitors the perfect base for a holiday that takes in a little of allthat the area has to offer.
Back toThat Castle
Let’s return to that castle, because you too willbe drawn to it time and time again. If you have ever dreamed about a castle itprobably looked just like CaerphillyCastle, this archetypal building is so perfect it looks as though ithas been specially created for a film set. The perfection is something of anillusion as this 13th century castle was lovingly restored in the 19thcentury by the Bute family into what we see today.
In fact, the towers reflect so ethereally in theduck lake that lies obligingly beneath the image has often been used byfilmmakers to stunning effect. It’s the perfect place to let your medievalfantasies run riot whilst the castle’s history lays siege to your imagination.
Trips toCardiff and Barry
Staying in Caerphillyfeels very different to staying in Cardiff. Although the vibrant capital isonly seven miles away its suburbs are cut off from Caerphillyby the intervening hills. You can enjoy a more relaxed pace of life here yetstill dip in and out of the cultural delights of the capital and the beautifulbeaches of nearby Barry. There are excellent road and rail links between Caerphillyand Cardiff so you are never more than a quick trip away.
Festivals
Throughout the year Caerphillyholds its own events that help it to maintain a distinctly different identityto its larger neighbour. There is a wonderful food festival in May that bringsthe best of the region’s produce into a celebration of gastronomy, and, ofcourse, the unmissable Big Cheese Festival in July with music, fairs, paradesand cheese galore.
AroundCaerphilly
Around Caerphilly youcan make the most of the great outdoors. Country parkssuch as Sirhowy Valley offer thousands of acres ofwoodland and meadows to walk or cycle through by the sinuous curves of theSirhowy River. In Cwmcarn Forest there are excellentmountain bike trails in the SouthWales hills whilst anyone making the ascent to the observatory atParc Penallta will be rewarded with marvellous views across the country and thelargest figurative earth sculpture in the UK, a strident horse named Sultangalloping over the fields below.
VisitCaerphilly
Laid-back Caerphillyoffers a more relaxed holiday but there’s plenty to pack in should you so wish.
