Castle Coch Walk
Visit this 19th-century Gothic Revival in Tongwynlais and enjoy a walk or cycle in the adjacent Fforest Fawr.
The route starts in Tongwynlais taking you around the castle and then into the peaceful woodland of Fforest Fawr which lies just to the east.
The castle is located next to the Taff Trail so you could extend your cycle/walk by heading along the River Taff.
The castle itself is very photogenic, often described as a fairytale castle. There are good facilities with a car park, gift shop and an audio tour where you can learn all about the history of the castle.
If you feel like stretching your legs further you could head just a mile to the west and try the more challenging climb to Garth Hill from Taff's Well. The noteworthy hill is thought to be the inspiration for the fictional hill featured in the film 'The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain' starring Hugh Grant. There's some splendid views over the area from the hill summit.
Postcode
CF15 7JS - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPlease click here for more information
Castle Coch Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Castle Coch Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Castle Coch OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Castle Coch Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
There's an on site tea room, selling a good range of meals, snacks and sweet treats.
Dog Walking
The river and woodland trails surrounding the castle area ideal for dog walking. Dogs are not allowed on the castle premises unless they are assitance dogs.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The epic Cambrian Way passes the site. The long distance route runs for nearly 300 miles through the Brecon Beacons, the Cambrian Mountains and Snowdonia before finishing on the North Wales coast at Conwy.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Castell Coch. A late c19 castle built on medieval remains, designed for the third marquess of Bute by William Burges.
You can see the Garth Mountain in the background and Castle Heights golf club in front of Castle Coch.
Part of the Taff Trail near Castell Coch. The River Taff adds another dimension to the area's biodiversity. It supports aquatic species such as brown trout and salmon, and its banks are frequented by kingfishers, grey herons, and wagtails. Otters have also been spotted along the river, a sign of the water's quality and the richness of the ecosystem.
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Track through Fforest-fawr. The mixed deciduous woodland provides a diverse habitat for a wide range of species.
The flora in the woodlands includes oak, beech, ash, and sycamore trees, as well as hazel and holly understorey. In spring, the forest floor is often carpeted with wildflowers such as bluebells, wood anemones, and wild garlic, creating a vivid display. Mosses, lichens, and ferns thrive in the damp, shaded areas, particularly near the riverbanks and streams.
The fauna is equally diverse. The woodlands are home to many bird species, including great spotted woodpeckers, nuthatches, treecreepers, and buzzards. In the evening, bats such as pipistrelles and brown long-eared bats can be seen hunting insects. The undergrowth and fallen logs provide shelter for small mammals like wood mice, voles, and shrews, while foxes and badgers roam the area.
Part of the car park at Castell Coch
From Morganstown