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<strong>The beautiful castles of Wales: Caldicot Castle: </strong>Caldicot Castle in South Wales dates back to 1221. Today, it's a striking ruin rising out of the countryside. Click through for shots of more stunning Welsh castles.

The beautiful castles of Wales: Caldicot Castle: Caldicot Castle in South Wales dates back to 1221. Today, it's a striking ruin rising out of the countryside. Click through for shots of more stunning Welsh castles.

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<strong>Raglan Castle</strong>: Is Raglan Castle Wales's most opulent castle? This medieval gem was once home to an incredible art collection and picturesque gardens.

Raglan Castle: Is Raglan Castle Wales's most opulent castle? This medieval gem was once home to an incredible art collection and picturesque gardens.

<strong>Cardigan Castle: </strong>Cardigan Castle is situated on the River Teifi. Back in 1176, it was at Cardigan that the first National Eisteddfod -- a gathering of musicians and poets -- was held.

Cardigan Castle: Cardigan Castle is situated on the River Teifi. Back in 1176, it was at Cardigan that the first National Eisteddfod -- a gathering of musicians and poets -- was held.

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<strong>Carew Castle:</strong> On the Welsh Pembrokeshire coast, the current Carew Castle dates back to the 11th century, although it's believed to have been a military outpost for some 2,000 years.

Carew Castle: On the Welsh Pembrokeshire coast, the current Carew Castle dates back to the 11th century, although it's believed to have been a military outpost for some 2,000 years.

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<strong>Castell Dinas Bran:</strong> This ruined castle near Llangollen in Denbighshire, dating back to the 1260s, offers incredible views of the surrounding area.

Castell Dinas Bran: This ruined castle near Llangollen in Denbighshire, dating back to the 1260s, offers incredible views of the surrounding area.

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<strong>Castell y Bere:</strong> Nestled in the peaks of Snowdonia, this castle was built by Llewelyn the Great in 1221.

Castell y Bere: Nestled in the peaks of Snowdonia, this castle was built by Llewelyn the Great in 1221.

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<strong>Chirk Castle:</strong> On the border between England and Wales, this grand castle went on to become a stately home and is now a visitor attraction.

Chirk Castle: On the border between England and Wales, this grand castle went on to become a stately home and is now a visitor attraction.

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<strong>Cilgerran Castle:</strong> Perched high above the Teifi gorge in Pembrokeshire, this striking fortress remains a remarkable sight.

Cilgerran Castle: Perched high above the Teifi gorge in Pembrokeshire, this striking fortress remains a remarkable sight.

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<strong>Dinefwr Castle:</strong> Once the heart of the medieval Welsh kingdom of Deheubarth, this castle later came under English rule in 1287. Now it's a great spot for deer and bird-watching.

Dinefwr Castle: Once the heart of the medieval Welsh kingdom of Deheubarth, this castle later came under English rule in 1287. Now it's a great spot for deer and bird-watching.

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<strong>Kidwelly Castle:</strong> You might recognize this Norman castle from 20th century comedy movie "Monty Python and The Holy Grail."

Kidwelly Castle: You might recognize this Norman castle from 20th century comedy movie "Monty Python and The Holy Grail."

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<strong>Laugharne Castle:</strong> This fairy-tale-esque spot in Carmathenshire inspired the work of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.

Laugharne Castle: This fairy-tale-esque spot in Carmathenshire inspired the work of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.

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<strong>Harlech Castle</strong>: On the shores of Cardigan Bay, this turreted castle played a key role in Welsh history in 1404, when it was seized by Welsh rebels led by Owain Glyndwr.

Harlech Castle: On the shores of Cardigan Bay, this turreted castle played a key role in Welsh history in 1404, when it was seized by Welsh rebels led by Owain Glyndwr.

<strong>Llansteffan Castle</strong>: Located in Carmarthenshire, there's been a castle here since an Iron Age fort was built in roughly 600 BCE.

Llansteffan Castle: Located in Carmarthenshire, there's been a castle here since an Iron Age fort was built in roughly 600 BCE.

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<strong>Criccieth Castle: </strong>Built by Llywelyn the Great on the south coast of the Llyn Peninsula, the castle still cuts an impressive figure.

Criccieth Castle: Built by Llywelyn the Great on the south coast of the Llyn Peninsula, the castle still cuts an impressive figure.

<strong>Conwy Castle:</strong> Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this astonishing castle was built over a four-year period in the 1280s and is still standing strong.

Conwy Castle: Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this astonishing castle was built over a four-year period in the 1280s and is still standing strong.

<strong>Pembroke Castle</strong>: First constructed by Anglo-Norman noble Arnulf de Montgomery in 1093, the current castle dates back to the 12th and 13th century.

Pembroke Castle: First constructed by Anglo-Norman noble Arnulf de Montgomery in 1093, the current castle dates back to the 12th and 13th century.

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<strong>Caernarfon Castle</strong>: Watch out for this castle in the third series of "The Crown" on Netflix -- it's where Prince Charles was formally invested as Prince of Wales in 1969.

Caernarfon Castle: Watch out for this castle in the third series of "The Crown" on Netflix -- it's where Prince Charles was formally invested as Prince of Wales in 1969.

<strong>Skenfrith Castle: </strong>This Monmouthshire castle has been a ruin since the 1500s.

Skenfrith Castle: This Monmouthshire castle has been a ruin since the 1500s.

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<strong>White Castle</strong>: This castle is one of three -- alongside Skenfrith and Grosmount -- that was built by the Normans to protect the route into Wales from England. It's now an impressive ruin.

White Castle: This castle is one of three -- alongside Skenfrith and Grosmount -- that was built by the Normans to protect the route into Wales from England. It's now an impressive ruin.

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<strong>Caerphilly Castle:</strong> Welcome to the second largest castle in Britain, only coming second to the royal castle of Windsor.

Caerphilly Castle: Welcome to the second largest castle in Britain, only coming second to the royal castle of Windsor.

<strong>Beaumaris Castle: </strong>Work started on this castle in 1295, but by the 1300s it was pretty much abandoned. Regardless, it's still an impressive spot today.

Beaumaris Castle: Work started on this castle in 1295, but by the 1300s it was pretty much abandoned. Regardless, it's still an impressive spot today.

<strong>Castell Coch:</strong> There's been a fortress of some kind in this spot for some 900 years, but it was in the 19th century that Castell Coch got a Gothic revival makeover, making it the castle it is today.

Castell Coch: There's been a fortress of some kind in this spot for some 900 years, but it was in the 19th century that Castell Coch got a Gothic revival makeover, making it the castle it is today.

<strong>Chepstow Castle</strong>: Standing over the River Wye, Chepstow Castle dates back to the Norman conquest.

Chepstow Castle: Standing over the River Wye, Chepstow Castle dates back to the Norman conquest.

<strong>Cardiff Castle: </strong>A city-center castle built on earlier Roman foundations, today Cardiff Castle is a highlight of the city's tourism scene.

Cardiff Castle: A city-center castle built on earlier Roman foundations, today Cardiff Castle is a highlight of the city's tourism scene.

<strong>Powis Castle: </strong>Welsh prince Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn built Powis Castle near the town of Welshpool in the 1280s.

Powis Castle: Welsh prince Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn built Powis Castle near the town of Welshpool in the 1280s.

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Most beautiful Welsh castles

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