Coch

Castle Coch is a fairytale timeless construction in the woods and embodies a glorious dream of the Middle Ages. Its round towers and turrets peep unexpectedly through the trees on the hills north of Cardiff.

This enchanting little castle is a combination of Victorian Gothic fantasy created by the brilliantly eccentric architect William Burges for the third Lord Bute, a fellow lover of the medieval and reputedly the richest man in the world.

A companion retreat for Bute's medieval fantasy palace at Cardiff Castle, it was begun in 1875 on the site of the 13th century ruins of the 'Red Castle'. There Burges built his scholarly ideal of a castle, complete with fully operational drawbridge and crowned by conical roofs. Within its authentic looking walls, however, he gave free to his exuberant creative imagination. Thus the wonderful vaulted ceiling of the dawning room is thronged with birds while its walls are painted with Aesop's fables, Lady's Bute bedroom offer interesting contrasts in style and comfort. Every room and every furnishing continues the fantasy. Rarely used and still perfectly preserved, this Victorian extravaganza must be seen to be believed!