Castell Coch ("Red Castle" in Welsh), perches on a hillside north of cardiff and overlooks the valley of the Taff River near the village of Tongwynlais.    The castle was rebuilt on the ruins of a medieval castle and is a fairly authentic reconstruction of the original.  In 1871 the original medieval castle was an overgrown ruin, but it belonged to the Marquess of Bute, one of the richest men in the world.  He employed William Burges to rebuild the castle on its original foundations.  Work began in 1875 and took sixteen years.   It is the perfect fairytale castle - complete with a working drawbridge.

The exterior has a medieval look but the interiors are purely Victorian fantasy and are richly decorated, including all modern conveniences such as flushing toilets and central heating. 

Lady Bute lived in the castle with her daughter for a short time after Lord Bute's death in 1900.  The army used it during the 2nd WW, and afterwards the Bute family gave it to the state.  Today, all parts of the castle are open to visitors.