Wales’ Cardigan Castle transformed into modern heritage attraction

Famed as the birthplace of the National Eisteddfod, Cardigan Castle, has transformed from a 900-year-old site into a modern heritage attraction, complete with luxury accommodation, riverside restaurant and a summer events programme.

After four years of restoration work, including the repair of the Georgian house’s decaying roof and Regency style pathways, landscaping of the historic grounds and reconstruction of the Castle’s crumbling medieval walls, the site opened to paying customers for the very first time last month.

Three permanent exhibitions tell the story of the Castle and its history:

• ’The Eisteddfod Exhibition’, the world’s first permanent chronicle of the Welsh Cultural event.
• ’The Barbara Wood Exhibition’, paying homage to the last private owner of Cardigan Castle
• ’The Cardigan Castle Story’, an audiovisual display, narrated by Welsh actor and Hollywood star Matthew Rhys, which takes visitors from the Castle’s origins to present day.

An official opening concert will take place on July 25 headlined by eight-time Folk Award winning band Bellowhead with support from Wales’ own 9Bach.