Cardigan Castle Tour
Welcome
The Lobby
This was the lobby of the house in 1827.
A Unique Wedding Venue
The beautiful house and gardens at Cardigan Castle provide a stunning venue for weddings. Find out more at www.cardigancastle.com/weddings-celebrations/
The Gardens
Before the restoration project in 2015, the Castle gardens were heavily overgrown.
The Trellis
The trellis dates from 1827 when a new facade and additional rooms were added to the house by Arthur Jones. It is made of Canadian cedar wood and has lasted surprisingly well – over 60% is original.
A Medieval Arch
Below this area of the hall lies part of a medieval arch. This belongs to the North Tower of the 13th century castle.
The Dining Room
In 1827 this room was designed as the Dining Room and used as such until 1940. It would have contained a long dining table with chairs and a sideboard.
Barbara Wood
Between 1940 and 2000 Barbara Wood referred to this room as the 'Lounge.' Barbara Wood was the last private owner of Castle Green House. She bought the property in May 1940 and lived here for nearly 60 years. The photograph shows the window before restoration.
Eisteddfod Exhibition
Today this room presents fascinating displays on the history of the Eisteddfod. It is the only permanent exhibition devoted to this national festival.
The Drawing Room
In 1827 this was designed as the Drawing Room and used as such until 1940. In 1851 records show it was well furnished with sofas and easy chairs, various tables and numerous ornaments. Today it contains an exhibition on the history of the town.
The Music Room
Between 1940 and 2000 Barbara Wood referred to this room as 'The Music Room'. During that period, it contained a massive Queen Anne crystal chandelier, a Steinway grand piano, gramophone and two sofas.
Fireplace
This fireplace dates from 1827. This photograph shows it in 1986 when Barbara Wood lived here.
Cannon Ball
This Civil War cannon ball was fired at the Castle by Parliamentarians in December 1644.
Maces
These maces began life as a pair of silver communion cups for King Charles I. Visit the Castle to find out more about their colourful past.
Frieze
This frieze is a copy of one dating from 1827.
The First Floor
You’re about to climb up to the first floor. In 1827 this area of the house contained the family’s principal bedrooms with separate accommodation for the master and mistress of the house. You’ll also find what was probably the first indoor bathroom in Cardigan - a considerable luxury at that time.
Curved Wall
This curve in the wall indicates the site of the original medieval spiral staircase. This extended from the cellar below, all the way up to the parapet.
Painting of Barbara Wood
Barbara Wood (1918-2009) bought the house in May 1940. She soon found it difficult to afford the upkeep on the property and it began to fall into disrepair. In the 1980s the house was declared unfit for habitation and she moved into a caravan parked outside. She was known locally for her bright coat and love of cats.
Windows
When indoor toilets were added to the house in 1851, the architect extended the north side of the house. He wanted to retain the size and shape of the rooms inside, so he angled the outer wall, creating a sharp corner. This meant the windows look correct when inside, but crooked when seen from the outside.
Mystery Hole
No one is quite sure of the purpose of this recess. Some think it may have housed a safe when local auctioneer and estate agent John Evans (1866-1939) lived here. Perhaps you have another suggestion?
Exposed Walls
This wall was left exposed during the restoration to highlight how the physical changes to the building have left their mark. The bicycles belonged to Barbara Wood’s parents.
The Breakfast Room
In 1808 this was the Breakfast Room. It was probably altered in 1827, and again around 1851 when it was referred to as the 'Lower Parlour'. At that point it contained several tables and chairs as well as a bookcase.
The Kitchen
This room is inside the 13th century North Tower of the Castle. It has been a kitchen since at least 1760, before most of the present house was built.
Kitchen Fireplace
In the 18th century there would have been a spit-rack over the fireplace. This remained in the room even when the range was installed in the 1870s / 1880s. You can see it in this photograph from 2003.
Dresser
This dresser dates from between 1740 and 1760 and was built specifically for this room – note the curved corner near the door. The photograph shows it before restoration.
The Pantry
In the 18th century the western end of the kitchen was used as a pantry or food store.
Salt Box
This small metal structure is not a water tank – that is located nearer the window. This much smaller box is for storing salt. Salt was important not just for flavouring dishes, but also to help stop food from spoiling.
Pot Cupboard
This cupboard dates from 1740 to 1760.
The Scullery
In the 18th century the eastern end of the kitchen became a scullery - note the unusual slate sink. This room has been cut into the thickness of the original medieval walls.
The Back Hall
This passageway was probably part of the 1740-60 house. It was retained when John Bowen created his house in 1808 and when Arthur Jones added the front range in 1827. As this photograph from 2003 shows, it contained the bells used to call the servants.
Hall Cupboard
This humble cupboard contains a medieval secret! In 1244 it was part of the external wall of the Castle and housed a guard chamber. You can still see a blocked arrow-slit on the right, a recess for a lantern on the left and a stone ceiling above.
The East Wing
Today the East Wing of Castle Green House has been turned into 5* self-catering accommodation. Further details can be found at www.cardigancastle.com/stay
The Servants' Hall
Before 1827 this was probably the Breakfast Room. From 1827 until 1924 it was the Servants' Hall. In 1851 the room contained a sofa, a bench, a table and chairs, and a cupboard. From 1924 until 1940 this was the Sewing Room. Today it is part of the holiday let. The photograph shows it during restoration in 2013.
The Dining Room
Between 1808 and 1827 this was the Dining Room. From 1827 it was divided into two rooms - the Butler's Pantry (now a bathroom) and the Lumber Room. The photograph shows the Butler’s Pantry in 1985.
Fireplace
The fireplace is an original feature and is made of local slate. The photograph shows the room during restoration in 2013.
Window Shutters
These shutters are Georgian. Their split-level configuration enables them to be opened separately to control the amount of daylight entering the room. The photograph shows them before restoration.
Fireplace
This photograph shows the fireplace before restoration. The cupboard above has been incorporated into the new bedroom as an alcove.
Stair Window
The elegant design of this window is based on one created by John Nash at Priory House in Cardigan. Its interlacing glazing bars are characteristic of Gothic Revival architecture.
The Veranda
By lifting the sash window, and opening the small doors below, you can step out onto the veranda.
East Wing Kitchen
This space was converted into one large, single room during the restoration and is now part of the holiday let. In 1808 it was divided diagonally by a corridor that led into a Malt Room and a separate Meal Room. The original slate floor still bears the mark of one of these walls.
Coal Chute
You can see that this window has previously been converted into a coal chute. At some point in its history this space became a coal cellar, and the northern part - which had been a Malt Room - became a fruit cellar.
Linen Store
It is likely this room originally had shelving to store clean linen. Dirty laundry would have been left in baskets on the floor.
The Copper
This is the remains of a ‘wash copper’ used to heat water for the laundry.
The Dairy
From 1808, this room was fitted with shallow slate troughs along the full length of the east wall, including within the window recess. These troughs were used to separate the cream from the milk.
Fireplace
This large inglenook fireplace was part of the laundry. If you look up, you can see the curved metal bars that were used by young chimney sweeps to climb all the way to the roof.
The Laundry
After alterations to the house in 1827, this room was referred to as 'The Laundry'. In 1851 it contained a mangle, a table, clothes-horses and flat irons. In 1940 it was turned into a washroom for the troops billeted here, with two toilets and a wash basin.
The Silk Room
This room dates from 1827 and was the Master Bedroom for the male head of the household. In 1851 it contained a mahogany four-poster bed. The photograph shows the fireplace in 1986.
The Bluebird Room
In 1827 this would have been the Master Bedroom for the female head of the household. The photograph shows the fireplace before restoration.
Wallpaper
The wallpaper is a recreation of the original, hand-painted design that came from Paris. Historians believe it dated from 1827.
Dressing Room
Although intended as a dressing room, this space was turned into a bathroom in the 1827 plans. It was probably the first indoor bathroom in Cardigan. The photograph shows it in 1986, before the restoration.
The Tower Room
Between 1740 and 1760 this space would have been divided into two bedrooms for servants. The photograph shows the west tower room before the partition was removed and the ceiling uncovered.
Venue Hire
This unique room can be hired for meetings, talks or presentations. It also makes a stunning setting for weddings. Visit www.cardigancastle.com for more information.
The Rainbow Room
This rooms dates from 1808 and was often used as a child’s bedroom. It takes its name from the colourful wallpaper which used to cover the walls - you can see some of it in this photograph from 1986.
Escape Room
A new Escape Room Game will be opening in this room soon. Visit www.cardigancastle.com for more information.
The Master Bedroom
Before the front range of the house was added in 1827, this was the principal bedroom. David Griffith Davies (1836 -1906) slept in here as a boy, with his brother in the adjoining room (now a bathroom). The photograph shows the room before restoration.
Bathroom
In 1808 this would have been a family or guest bedroom. It was sometimes used by a nanny or retainer. The photograph shows the fireplace in 1986 before the restoration.
The East Bedroom
This room dates from 1808 and was a family or guest bedroom. It has fabulous views from both windows.
Fireplace
The photograph shows the fireplace before restoration. Note the small hatch to the right of it, above the bottom shelf. This was inserted during the Second World War. Soldiers from the South Wales Borderers occupied the east wing at that time and installed a number of hatches to enable them to pass information between the rooms without having to enter them.
Vaulted Ceiling
The corridor has retained its beautiful vaulted ceiling. The photograph shows it before restoration.
Arrow-Slit
This unplastered section of the stairway reveals a medieval arrow-slit. This was once the external wall of the 13th century North Tower. When John Bowen built his house in 1808, he joined it to the medieval castle tower and covered up the arrow-slit. The other side of the arrow-slit (see photograph) is inside the hall cupboard that you may have seen earlier in the tour.
A Busy House
The East Wing Ground Floor
The East Wing First Floor
Instructions
The Library
Between 1808 and 1827 this was the Drawing Room. From 1827 until 1924 it became the Library. In 1851 the room contained bookcases, a sofa, an easy chair as well as several mahogany chairs and tables. During the Second World War, when Cardigan Castle was home to the Royal Engineers, their Commanding Officer used it as an office.
