Cardigan Castle

Cardigan Castle stands above the River Teifi in the centre of Cardigan. After decades of decay it was restored and opened to the public in 2015, and today it combines castle walls, a Georgian house called Castle Green House, a heritage centre and gardens within the old castle ward. It is also the place where Lord Rhys held what is now accepted as the first Eisteddfod, in 1176, so it holds a special place in Welsh history.

The gardens are listed Grade II on the Cadw register of historic parks and gardens and include pleasure gardens and a kitchen garden. The castle describes them as Regency-style gardens, with winding paths, colourful planting and some rare plants. The Regency Vegetable Garden grows produce on site, and the castle restaurant, 1176, uses produce from it where possible. Walk the paths around the walls for views over the river and the town.

For home gardeners, the kitchen garden is the most useful part, showing how vegetables can be grown within an old walled setting, while the pleasure gardens are a pleasant place to look at mixed planting. Paths are wheelchair friendly, wheelchairs are available, and there is a lift in Castle Green House. Dogs on leads are allowed in the grounds for a small charge, but not inside Castle Green House or at most events. There is no day-visitor parking on site; the nearest car park is at the bottom of Quay Street, a minute's walk away.