S WALES

The town of Caerphilly is located in the county borough of the same name, seven miles north of Cardiff, the capital City of Wales. Its major claim to fame lies in its castle:

Caerphilly Castle dominates the centre of the town of Caerphilly, surrounded by shops, offices and houses. The fortress sprawls over a huge area of 30 acres, making it easily the biggest in Wales and, along with Windsor and Dover, the largest in Britain.

The castle was built in the late 13^th century by the Anglo-Norman lord, Gilbert de Clare to consolidate his grip on the lands he had captured. It is a supreme example of the concentric “walls within walls” system of defence. The castle’s water defences, comprising a moat with lakes and three artificial islands, made the castle almost impregnable to siege warfare. The castle was often threatened but never taken. Its only sign of weakness is a tipsy ‘leaning tower’ (which even out-leans Pisa’s world famous example) possibly caused by subsidence.

Currently Caerphilly castle provides an impressive location for weddings and other social functions, performances of Shakespeare plays, various wide-ranging historical displays and exhibitions and re-enactment of battles and skirmishes. Every year the last weekend in July heralds the Caerphilly Big Cheese opened with the Big Cheese race (in which representatives from local professions and businesses race carrying a whole cheese) and a spectacular firework display. The castle grounds are full of stalls and tents where local traders and manufacturers display and sell their wares promoting Welsh craft and produce. Local charities and social groups are always well represented. There is always plenty going on to keep the whole family occupied for the day, even before braving the thrills of the Fun Fair which adjoins the Castle grounds. This annual event attracts over 80,000 visitors.

Caerphilly’s other claim to fame is its cheese. Caerphilly cheese had been produced initially on local farms for domestic consumption to use up surplus milk, but at the beginning of the 19^th century it began to provide a source of income for sale at markets and fairs. It was part of the staple diet of the South Wales colliers In the following decades demand exceeded supply and a Cheese Market was established. Somerset cheese makers learnt the benefits of the shorter Caerphilly cheese ripening process and were soon producing more than the Welsh. Milk rationing during World War II wiped out the Welsh cheese makers and now most so called “Caerphilly” cheese is made in England, although some specialist manufacturers have again opened in Wales.

In 1850 Caerphilly was still a market village noted for its castle, fairs, woollen products and cheese, and was predominantly Welsh speaking. Through the latter half of the 19^th century and into the 20^th century coal and the mining industry grew - and declined. The number of inhabitants grew dramatically and Welsh became a minority language, however in recent years there has been a revival in interest in the Welsh language and there are now three Welsh medium primary schools in the area.

The famous comedian Tommy Cooper was born in Caerphilly. Tommy often came back to perform right up to his death. A statue is to be erected to his memory in the town centre.

Caerphilly is now very much a town of the 21^st century with a diversity of industries, manufacturing and services on industrial estates and business parks around the town. It retains its historic role as a trading centre with a modern shopping centre and traditional high street shops providing an alternative to Cardiff’s shopping centre just over the mountain.

Numerous housing developments are extending Caerphilly in all directions. Its proximity to the M4 motorway and ease of access to Cardiff by road, rail and bus make Caerphilly an attractive location for commuters.

Within a few miles of Caerphilly is a rich variety of scenery. The town itself lies in a geological basin bounded by a rolling landscape of ridges and vales, wooded and fern covered providing popular venues for walking, cycling, horse riding and picnicking. The 27mile Rhymney Valley Ridgeway walk passes through countryside with stunning views northwards towards the Brecon Beacons and southwards across the Bristol Channel towards Somerset and the Quantock Hills. The nearby spectacular Sirhowy Country Park offers 1,000 acres of woodland and meadow, and incorporates part of the Celtic Trail.

Caerphilly has a large well-equipped Leisure Centre, no less than 8 Golf Clubs in the area, fishing, a 12 screen cinema, an active Amateur Dramatics group, choirs, rugby and football teams and a wide variety of pubs and restaurants to satisfy all tastes. In addition accommodation available in and around Caerphilly ranges from 3* Hotels to more modest homely guest houses and a wide range of Self-catering holiday homes.