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Wales' castles are among the most stunning features of the country's landscape and it's thought that there are around 600 dotted around the country.

Many are still well-preserved and are a fascinating insight into Wales' past. In Cardiff city centre of course stands Cardiff Castle but if you want to go further afield, here are some stunning castles which should take around an hour or less to drive to.

We've estimated times and the distance from the city centre, but check for traffic updates ahead of your trip.

1. Castell Coch

Though the foundations of this castle in Tongwynlais date back several centuries, the castle you see today is also the work of the Third Marquess of Bute and his architect William Burgess.

Postcode: CF15 7JS

Distance from Cardiff: 7 miles/20 minutes

Visit cadw.gov.wales

2. Caerphilly Castle

(Image: Bob Gould)

The largest castle in Wales, it was built in the 13th century by Gilbert de Clare, a nobleman of Norman descent who also built the original Castell Coch.

Postcode: CF83 1JD

Distance from Cardiff: 8 miles/22 minutes

Visit cadw.gov.wales

3. Ruperra Castle

(Image: Andrew King / Flickr)

Newer than the other castles on this list, Ruperra was built in 1626 by Sir Thomas Morgan, one of the first 'mock' Tudor castles to be built in Wales.

Postcode: NP10 8GG

Distance from Cardiff: 13 miles/30 minutes

Visit ruperratrust.co.uk

4. Ogmore Castle

Built by the Norman de Londres family, the initial castle was established by William de Londres soon after 1100.

Postcode: CF32 0

Distance from Cardiff: 23 miles/35 minutes

Visit cadw.gov.wales

5. Coity Castle

Originally established soon after 1100, much of Coity Castle dates from the 14th century with parts of it being rebuilt following a siege by Owain Glyndwr in 1404-05.

Postcode: CF35 6BG

Distance from Cardiff: 22 miles/35 minutes

Visit cadw.gov.wales

6. Raglan Castle

Raglan was begun in the 1430s, and built through the 15th and early 17th centuries by the ruling families of the Herberts and Somersets. The fortified castle has a large hexagonal keep, known as the Great Tower.

Postcode: NP15 2BT

Distance from Cardiff: 33 miles/40 minutes

Visit cadw.gov.wales

7. Monmouth Castle

Cadw says the castle was established by William fitz Osbern in the late 11th century.

The ruins of the Great Hall and Great Tower survive Monmouth Castle. It was the birthplace of Henry V.

Postcode: NP25 3BS

Distance from Cardiff: 38 miles/45 minutes

Visit cadw.gov.wales

8. Usk Castle

Standing on a hill overlooking the town of Usk, the castle and town are thought to have been founded in 1120, the Castles of Wales website notes.

Postcode: NP15 1SD

Distance from Cardiff: 28 miles/42 minutes

Visit uskcastle.com

9. Caldicot Castle

There had been a Saxon castle at the site but the extensive stone medieval castle was built from about 1100.

Postcode: NP26 4HU

Distance from Cardiff: 28 miles/45 minutes

Visit visitmonmouthshire.com/caldicot-castle

10. Chepstow Castle

(Image: Cadw Photographic Library)

Chepstow Castle boasts the oldest wooden castle doors in Europe.

From around 1067 through to 1690, the castle changed its appearance. The oldest building is the Norman great tower but building work continued well into the 17th century as medieval battlements were replaced by stronger musket-friendly parapets.

Postcode: NP16 5EY

Distance from Cardiff: 33 miles/50 minutes

Visit cadw.gov.wales

11. Abergavenny Castle

(Image: Creative commons/ Flickr/ David Elliot)

Abergavenny Castle, home of Abergavenny Museum was the scene of the Christmas Day Massacre in 1175, which played its part in the Magna Carta.

The Motte was probably built by the Norman Lord Hamelin de Ballon in 1087 AD.

Postcode: NP7 5EE

Distance from Cardiff: 41 miles/55 minutes

Visit abergavennymuseum.co.uk

12. Swansea Castle

Cadw say the Braose castle dates back to the late thirteenth century.

It was built by the Normans just 40 years after William the Conqueror's famous victory over King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

Postcode: SA1 1DW

Distance from Cardiff: 41 miles/55 minutes

Visit swansea.gov.uk/swanseacastle

13. White Castle

Cadw says White Castle is the best preserved of the 'Three Castles', namely, White, Skenfrith and Grosmont. The heart of this castle is surrounded by powerful round towers.

The Three Castles are usually grouped together because for a large part of their history they were part of a block of territory under the control of a single lord, Hubert de Burgh.

Postcode: NP7 8UD

Distance from Cardiff: 41 miles/1 hour

Visit cadw.gov.wales

14. Oystermouth Castle

Oystermouth Castle sits majestically on the hill in Mumbles with stunning views overlooking Swansea Bay. Features include ancient graffiti art from the 14th century, private staircases leading from vaults to previous banqueting halls and a glass bridge.

Postcode: SA3 4BA

Distance from Cardiff: 46 miles/1 hour, 5 minutes

Visit swansea.gov.uk/oystermouthcastle

15. Grosmont Castle

Cadw say there are substantial remains of the thirteenth-century castle of Hubert de Burgh, raised on an earlier motte. It was later remodelled by the house of Lancaster.

Postcode: NP7 8EP

Distance from Cardiff: 44 miles/1 hour, 10 minutes

Visit cadw.gov.wales

Wales’s castles under the stars: