List of Cadw properties facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Cadw is a special organization in Wales that looks after many amazing old buildings and ancient sites. Think of them as the guardians of Wales' history! They make sure these places are kept safe and open for everyone to visit and learn from. From mighty castles to ancient burial chambers, Cadw helps us explore the past and understand how people lived long, long ago.

Exploring Wales' Historic Sites with Cadw

Cadw manages a huge variety of historic places across Wales. These sites tell us stories about different times, from prehistoric days to Roman times and the Middle Ages. Let's take a look at some of the cool places you can visit!

Magnificent Castles

Wales is famous for its castles, and Cadw looks after many of the most impressive ones. These strongholds were built for defense and power, and walking through them feels like stepping back in time.

Beaumaris Castle

Beaumaris Castle from above

Beaumaris Castle is on the Isle of Anglesey. It's a huge, unfinished castle that was meant to be super strong. It's part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which means it's recognized as important to the whole world! You can pay to explore its walls and towers.

Caernarfon Castle

Caernarfon Castle, a grand fortress

Also a World Heritage Site, Caernarfon Castle is a massive and impressive fortress in Gwynedd. It was built by King Edward I and has huge walls and unique towers. It's a fantastic place to imagine knights and kings. There's an entry fee to go inside.

Caerphilly Castle

Caerphilly Castle with its leaning tower

Located in Caerphilly, this is one of the biggest castles in Wales. It has huge water defenses, like a moat, and even a famous leaning tower! It's a great place to explore and imagine medieval battles. You need to pay to enter.

Conwy Castle

Conwy Castle by the water

Conwy Castle, in Conwy, is another amazing World Heritage Site. It's known for its eight huge towers and long town walls that you can walk along. It's right by the sea, making for incredible views. There's an entry fee to visit the castle.

Harlech Castle

Harlech Castle on its rocky perch

Perched high on a rock in Gwynedd, Harlech Castle is part of the same World Heritage Site as Conwy and Caernarfon. It has stunning views of the mountains and the sea. It's a powerful symbol of Welsh history. You pay to enter.

Raglan Castle

Raglan Castle's grand entrance

In Monmouthshire, Raglan Castle is a grand and beautiful castle, even though it's now a ruin. It was built much later than many other Welsh castles, in the 15th century, and looks more like a fancy palace. You can pay to explore it.

Other Notable Castles

Bronllys Castle: A free-to-visit castle in Powys with a tall, round tower.
Carreg Cennen Castle: A dramatic castle in Carmarthenshire, built on a cliff. You need to pay to enter.
Castell Coch: A fairy-tale castle near Cardiff, known for its colorful, Victorian design. Entry requires a fee.
Chepstow Castle: A long, narrow castle in Monmouthshire, built along a cliff edge. You pay to enter.
Cilgerran Castle: A picturesque castle in Pembrokeshire, overlooking a river. Entry requires a fee.
Criccieth Castle: A castle in Gwynedd with amazing sea views. You pay to enter.
Denbigh Castle: A large castle in Denbighshire with impressive walls. You pay to enter.
Dinefwr Castle: A free-to-visit castle in Carmarthenshire with a circular keep.
Dolbadarn Castle: A free castle in Gwynedd, set in a beautiful mountain pass.
Dolwyddelan Castle: A castle in Conwy, high in the mountains. You pay to enter.
Dryslwyn Castle: A free castle in Carmarthenshire, on a hill overlooking the Towy Valley.
Ewloe Castle: A free castle in Flintshire, hidden in a woodland.
Flint Castle: A free castle in Flintshire, one of the first built by Edward I in Wales.
Kidwelly Castle: A well-preserved castle in Carmarthenshire with a huge gatehouse. You pay to enter.
Laugharne Castle: A castle in Carmarthenshire that was also a grand Tudor mansion. You pay to enter.
Llansteffan Castle: A free castle in Carmarthenshire, with great views of the estuary.
Llawhaden Castle: A free castle in Pembrokeshire, once a palace for bishops.
Loughor Castle: A free castle ruin in Swansea, with Roman origins.
Monmouth Castle: A free castle in Monmouthshire, where King Henry V was born.
Montgomery Castle: A free castle in Powys, high on a hill.
Newcastle Castle: A free castle in Bridgend, with a large gatehouse.
Newport Castle: A free castle in Newport, right by the river.
Ogmore Castle: A free castle in the Vale of Glamorgan, known for its stepping stones.
Old Beaupre Castle: A free castle in the Vale of Glamorgan, a grand manor house.
Oxwich Castle: A castle in Swansea with a Tudor manor house feel. You pay to enter.
Skenfrith Castle: A free castle in Monmouthshire, part of a group called the "Three Castles."
Swansea Castle: A free castle in Swansea, mostly ruins but still impressive.
Tretower Castle: A castle in Powys, alongside a medieval court. You pay to enter.
Weobley Castle: A free castle in Swansea, with beautiful views of the Gower Peninsula.
White Castle: A free castle in Monmouthshire, known for its white walls.
Wiston Castle: A free castle in Pembrokeshire, a Norman motte-and-bailey.

Ancient Roman Sites

The Romans were in Wales for hundreds of years, and they left behind some amazing forts and towns.

Caerleon Roman Fortress

The Roman Baths at Caerleon

In Newport, Caerleon was one of the most important Roman military bases in Britain. You can see the remains of the fortress and even visit the Roman baths. It's free to explore.

Segontium Roman Fort

Remains of Segontium Roman Fort

Near Caernarfon, Segontium was a Roman fort built to control the local Welsh tribes. You can see the foundations of the buildings and imagine Roman soldiers living there. It's free to visit.

Other Roman Sites

Brecon Gaer: A free Roman fort in Powys.
Caer Gybi: A free Roman fort in Holyhead, Anglesey.
Caerwent: A free Roman town in Monmouthshire, with impressive walls.

Prehistoric Wonders

Long before castles and Romans, people lived in Wales and built incredible structures like burial chambers and hill forts.

Barclodiad y Gawres

Inside Barclodiad y Gawres burial chamber

This is a fascinating burial chamber on the Isle of Anglesey. It's a passage tomb, and inside, you can see ancient carvings. It's free to visit.

Bryn Celli Ddu

Bryn Celli Ddu, a famous burial chamber

Another important burial chamber on Anglesey, Bryn Celli Ddu is a famous prehistoric site. It's a passage tomb that lines up with the summer solstice sunrise. It's free to visit.

Pentre Ifan

Pentre Ifan, a striking burial chamber

In Pembrokeshire, Pentre Ifan is one of the most iconic prehistoric sites in Wales. It's a huge stone burial chamber with a massive capstone balanced on three upright stones. It's free to visit.

Other Prehistoric Sites

Bodowyr: A free burial chamber on the Isle of Anglesey.
Capel Garmon: A free burial chamber in Conwy.
Carreg Coetan: A free burial chamber in Newport, Pembrokeshire.
Castell Bryn Gwyn: A free prehistoric enclosure on the Isle of Anglesey.
Caer y Tŵr: A free hill fort on the Isle of Anglesey.
Chepstow, Bulwark Camp: A free prehistoric enclosure in Monmouthshire.
Din Dryfol: A free burial chamber on the Isle of Anglesey.
Din Lligwy: A free hut group on the Isle of Anglesey, showing ancient village life.
Dyffryn Ardudwy: A free burial chamber in Gwynedd.
Holyhead Mountain Hut Circles: Free hut circles on the Isle of Anglesey.
Lligwy Burial Chamber: A free burial chamber on the Isle of Anglesey.
Llanmelin Wood Hill Fort: A free hill fort in Monmouthshire.
Parc le Breos: A free burial chamber in Swansea.
Penrhos Feilw Standing Stones: Free prehistoric standing stones on the Isle of Anglesey.
Presaddfed: A free burial chamber on the Isle of Anglesey.
St Lythans burial chamber: A free burial chamber in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Tinkinswood: A free burial chamber in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Trefignath: A free burial chamber on the Isle of Anglesey.
Tregwehelydd Standing Stone: A free prehistoric standing stone on the Isle of Anglesey.
Tŷ Mawr Standing Stone: A free prehistoric standing stone on the Isle of Anglesey.
Tŷ Newydd Burial Chamber: A free burial chamber on the Isle of Anglesey.

Religious Sites

Many historic churches, abbeys, and priories are also cared for by Cadw, showing the importance of religion throughout Welsh history.

Basingwerk Abbey

The ruins of Basingwerk Abbey

This free-to-visit abbey in Flintshire is a beautiful ruin that was once a Cistercian monastery. It's a peaceful place to imagine monks living centuries ago.

Cymer Abbey

Cymer Abbey ruins

A free religious site in Gwynedd, Cymer Abbey is another Cistercian abbey ruin, located in a lovely riverside setting.

Neath Abbey

The impressive ruins of Neath Abbey

In Neath Port Talbot, Neath Abbey is a large and impressive ruin of a Cistercian monastery. It's free to visit and explore its vast remains.

Strata Florida Abbey

The beautiful doorway of Strata Florida Abbey

This abbey in Ceredigion was a very important religious and cultural center in medieval Wales. You can pay to visit its beautiful ruins.

Tintern Abbey

The majestic Tintern Abbey

One of the most famous and beautiful abbey ruins in Britain, Tintern Abbey is in Monmouthshire. Its tall, gothic arches are stunning. You pay to enter.

Valle Crucis Abbey

Valle Crucis Abbey in its scenic setting

In Denbighshire, Valle Crucis Abbey is a well-preserved Cistercian abbey ruin, set in a lovely valley. You pay to enter.

Other Religious Sites

Capel Lligwy: A free religious site on the Isle of Anglesey.
Carew Cross: A free religious cross in Pembrokeshire.
Denbigh Friary: A free religious site in Denbighshire.
Derwen Churchyard Cross: A free religious cross in Denbighshire.
Eliseg's Pillar: A free religious pillar in Denbighshire, with ancient carvings.
Ewenny Priory: A free religious site in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Gwydir Uchaf Chapel: A free religious chapel in Conwy.
Haverfordwest Priory: A free religious site in Pembrokeshire.
Lamphey Bishop's Palace: A free religious palace in Pembrokeshire.
Llangar Church: A religious church in Denbighshire. You pay to enter.
Llanthony Priory: A free religious priory in Monmouthshire, in a remote valley.
Maen Achwyfan Cross: A free religious cross in Flintshire.
Margam Stones Museum: A museum in Neath Port Talbot with ancient religious stones. You pay to enter.
Penmon Cross: A free religious cross on the Isle of Anglesey.
Penmon Priory: A free religious priory on the Isle of Anglesey.
Rug Chapel: A religious chapel in Denbighshire. You pay to enter.
Runston Chapel: A free religious chapel in Monmouthshire.
St Cybi's Well: A free religious well in Gwynedd.
St Davids Bishop's Palace: A religious palace in Pembrokeshire. You pay to enter.
St Dogmaels Abbey: A free religious abbey in Pembrokeshire.
St Non's Chapel: A free religious chapel in Pembrokeshire, near the sea.
St Winefride's Chapel and Holywell: A free religious site in Flintshire, a famous pilgrimage spot.
Talley Abbey: A free religious abbey in Carmarthenshire.

Industrial and Domestic Sites

Cadw also protects sites that show us how people worked and lived in their homes throughout history.

Blaenavon Ironworks

Blaenavon Ironworks, a World Heritage Site

This industrial site in Torfaen is a World Heritage Site. It was a major iron-making center in the 18th and 19th centuries. It's free to visit and learn about the Industrial Revolution.

Bryntail

The buildings of Bryntail Lead Mine

A free industrial site in Powys, Bryntail shows the remains of a lead mine, giving a glimpse into Wales' mining past.

Dyfi Furnace

Dyfi Furnace, an old iron furnace

This free industrial site in Ceredigion is the remains of an old iron furnace, showing how metal was made long ago.

Hafoty Medieval House

Hafoty Medieval House

A free domestic site on the Isle of Anglesey, you can see the exterior of this medieval house.

Carswell Medieval House

You can see the exterior of this free domestic medieval house in Pembrokeshire.

Penarth Fawr

Penarth Fawr Medieval House

A medieval house in Gwynedd, its access is not specified, but it offers a look into domestic life.

Plas Mawr

Plas Mawr, a grand Elizabethan townhouse

In Conwy, Plas Mawr is a beautifully preserved Elizabethan townhouse. It's like stepping into a wealthy family's home from the 16th century. You pay to enter.

Other Domestic and Miscellaneous Sites

Chepstow Port Wall: Free town walls in Monmouthshire.
Conwy Town Walls: Free town walls in Conwy, part of the World Heritage Site.
Denbigh Town Walls: Free town walls in Denbighshire.
Hen Gwrt Moated Site: A free domestic moated site in Monmouthshire.
Penmon Dovecote: A free domestic dovecote on the Isle of Anglesey.
Pont Minllyn: A free bridge in Gwynedd.
Tretower Court: A domestic site in Powys, next to Tretower Castle. You pay to enter.
Twthill: A free castle mound in Denbighshire.