01 Jun 2022

Wales is home to some of the most fascinating and beautiful historic landmarks in the world. Many are easily accessible by rail.

We’ve teamed up with Cadw, to bring you a 2-for-1 offer on the price of entry to their sites when you travel there by train. All you need to do is present a valid TfW train ticket when you purchase your entry ticket*.

To help you plan your adventure, we’ve picked out some key Cadw sites from across Wales.

This summer, why not head out for the day with a travelling companion and explore a magnificent Welsh castle? Make your trip even better by travelling sustainably and saving money at the same time.

 

Conwy Castle, Conwy Town Walls & Plas Mawr

Conwy Castle is just a 4-minute walk from the railway station. It’s been towering over Conwy for over 700 years and in 1986 it became a UNESCO world heritage site for its outstanding universal value.

You can fill an entire day in Conwy, and that’s just visiting the Cadw sites. 

Plas Mawr is the finest surviving Elizabethan town house anywhere in Britain and entry here is included in the 2-for-1 offers.

If you’re feeling brave enough, you can walk along Conwy’s town walls which stretch for ¾ of a mile. These include 21 towers and three original gateways, and you can do this completely free of charge.

All three of these sites are located just a 4-minute walk from each other, giving you the opportunity to make the most of our offer and have a full day exploring timelines that don’t need refreshing.

 

Harlech Castle & Criccieth Castle

Both of these sites are situated along our Cambrian line; just 30 minutes from each other.

Jump off at Harlech station. From here it’s just an 11-minute uphill walk until you can discover the mighty coastal fortress. Like Conwy, Harlech was given world heritage status for being one of the finest examples of military architecture. It’s worth that short uphill walk.

Harlech will leave you wanting more. So, why not jump back on the train and travel towards Pwllheli, stopping off at Criccieth where you’ll find yourself just a 10-minute walk away from Criccieth Castle. It sits at the top of a rocky headland, commanding views over the town and across Cardigan Bay. This coastal castle was both built and destroyed by powerful Welsh princes.

Being just a 10-minute walk from Criccieth station, it’s certainly worth a visit to unlock the history.

 

Those are just some itineraries to fill your day when exploring North Wales. If you’ve only got the time to visit one castle on your trip, we’ve rounded up a selection from other areas of Wales, all just a short distance from our stations.

 

Chepstow Castle

One of the first Norman strongholds in Wales is just a 7-minute walk from Chepstow railway station. Stretching out along the limestone cliff overlooking the River-Wye, this castle is the perfect place to visit for those who really want to get a feel for what the word “Stronghold” means.

Whilst in Chepstow, and at no cost to you, explore the Port walls, built between 1272 and 1278. They remain an impressive feature of today’s town, standing up to 13ft high.

 

Caerphilly Castle

Caerphilly castle is the largest in Wales, the second largest in the whole of the UK, with only Windsor Castle being bigger. Combining the walls, towers and gatehouses, the castle spans a total of 30 acres, three times the size of the Principality stadium.

Caerphilly train station is just a 12-minute walk from this mighty medieval castle, so there’s no excuse not to visit. It’s time to browse more historical sites and less websites.

 

Kidwelly Castle

Just a 15-minute walk from Kidwelly station, you’ll find this stunning 12th century Norman castle rising above the River Gwendraeth in Carmarthenshire.

For fans of Monty Python, this castle should be at the top of your visit list, as it was used in the opening scene of “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”.

 

These highlights are a small selection of Cadw sites across Wales. Travelling with Transport for Wales will allow you to discover as many of these as you wish, whilst making the most of a fantastic 2-for-1 entry offer.

Feeling inspired? We run regular trains to each of the destinations above, so why not plan your next trip and get the most out of your journey.

https://tfw.wales/plan-a-journey

 

*Production of a train ticket valid for journeys on Transport for Wales services on the same day of visit required. 2 for 1 offer is only available at paid for Cadw sites and can only be redeemed on the day at ticket offices. Terms and Conditions apply.