Introduction: A Town Embraced by Ancient Castles and Green Valleys
Caerphilly is a quiet town in South Wales, nestled approximately 15 kilometers north of Cardiff among rolling hills. This land is renowned for its magnificent 13th-century castle and the beautiful lake that surrounds it. Caerphilly Castle stands as a masterpiece of medieval military architecture, its concentric defense system and artificial lake creating a sight that continues to overwhelm visitors today.
This region has long been a Welsh-speaking area, where bilingual signs in Welsh and English naturally coexist on street corners. While the area once prospered through the coal industry, it now flows with quiet, peaceful rhythms as a tourist destination that celebrates its lush nature and historical heritage.
The castle’s silhouette wrapped in morning mist, ancient stone buildings reflected on the lake’s surface at dusk, and encounters with warm Welsh people—this three-day, two-night journey became a precious experience of stepping away from modern chaos and surrendering to a gentler flow of time.
Day 1: Welcomed by Stone Fortress and Lake
After a 30-minute train ride from Cardiff Central Station, I arrived at Caerphilly Station just after 10 AM. Stepping out of the small station building, the first sight that caught my eye was the castle’s majestic silhouette in the distance. The road in front of the station wasn’t particularly wide, but it carried a distinctly settled atmosphere—clearly different from the hurried air of urban areas.
My B&B accommodation was located in a residential area about a 10-minute walk from the station. The small inn, converted from a Victorian-era building, was where Gwen, the owner, welcomed me warmly. “First time in Caerphilly?” she asked, and when I confirmed, she smiled and advised, “Then you should start with the castle.” The room was on the second floor, and from the window, I could glimpse part of the castle in the distance. After dropping off my luggage, I immediately headed toward the town center.
During my morning exploration, I first made my way to Caerphilly Castle. Walking through the town center, I noticed many stone buildings, all carefully maintained. The sight of residents tending flowers in their front gardens and an elderly gentleman leisurely reading his newspaper outside a café left a lasting impression.
As I approached the castle, its massive scale became overwhelming. When the full view of the water-surrounded fortress came into sight, my heart leaped at this scene that seemed to have emerged from a medieval storybook. After purchasing an entrance ticket, I first walked around the perimeter. The castle’s reflection in the artificial lake never ceased to captivate me. The stone towers mirrored on the water’s surface, accompanied by waterfowl swimming nearby, created a serene morning tableau.
For lunch, I stopped at “The Moat Café,” a small establishment near the castle. I ordered a sandwich featuring Caerphilly cheese, the famous local delicacy. This regional white cheese—creamy yet with a subtle tang—paired perfectly with the rustic bread. The female staff member proudly shared, “We source it directly from local farmers.”
I spent the afternoon thoroughly exploring the castle’s interior. Walking through the great hall, residential quarters, and complex defensive passages, I found myself contemplating the lives of people from over 700 years ago. What struck me most was the view from atop the castle walls—green hills stretched out below, dotted with small farms and villages arranged like pieces in a beautiful miniature landscape.
As evening approached, I strolled along the lakeside surrounding the castle. The setting sun painted the water’s surface gold, making the castle’s silhouette appear even more majestic. I exchanged brief greetings with a local man fishing, who remarked, “Beautiful weather today—perfect for fishing.” His Welsh-accented English was soothing, and I felt the unhurried flow of time.
For dinner, I visited “The Castle Inn,” a pub in the town center. In the warm atmosphere bustling with locals, I ordered “Cawl,” a traditional Welsh lamb dish. This soup-like creation of slowly simmered lamb and vegetables warmed me from within with its gentle flavors. A local couple at the neighboring table enthusiastically shared stories about Caerphilly’s history—tales of its coal industry heyday and its current charm as a peaceful tourist destination, spoken with obvious affection for their homeland.
Walking back to the inn through the quiet residential streets illuminated by streetlamps, I reflected on the day’s events. The castle’s grandeur, the beautiful lake, and encounters with warm-hearted people—I felt I was beginning to understand this land’s special allure.
Day 2: Among Green Hills and Artisan Traditions
I woke early and greeted the morning in the B&B’s garden. The breakfast Gwen prepared featured local eggs and bacon, along with homemade marmalade that was delicious. When she asked, “Where are you heading today?” I mentioned plans for nature exploration, and she recommended, “Caerphilly Mountain is wonderful—the views are spectacular.”
During the morning, I set out hiking toward Caerphilly Mountain, located south of town. Though called a mountain, it’s actually a 271-meter hill that can be climbed quite easily. The trail was well-maintained, and local walkers I encountered greeted me cheerfully. An elderly man with his dog encouraged me, saying, “The view from the top is exceptional.”
About 40 minutes after starting the climb, I reached the summit. The vista spread below was indeed exceptional. The entire town of Caerphilly was visible, with the castle standing centrally like the town’s guardian deity, maintaining its dignity. In the distance, I could see as far as Cardiff’s direction, with the rich green landscape of South Wales spreading in all directions. A pleasant breeze was blowing, and I sat on a bench for a while, absorbing the scenery.
After descending, I visited “Valleys Crafts,” a small artisan shop in the northern part of town. Here, I could observe the Caerphilly cheese-making process and browse pottery and woodwork created by local craftsmen. David, the shop owner, explained the traditional cheese-making methods in detail. “The climate and water quality of this region create the distinctive flavor,” he said, his expression revealing deep affection for local industry.
For lunch, I enjoyed Welsh rarebit (cheese toast) made with fresh Caerphilly cheese at the café attached to the same shop. The rich cheese soaked into the bread, pairing excellently with local ale. Though this was a simple dish locals enjoyed daily, it possessed a unique deliciousness that could only be found in this place.
In the afternoon, I visited the “Caerphilly Museum,” which, though small, offered rich content. The exhibition carefully traced the region’s coal industry history, the castle’s construction process, and the town’s transformation through to modern times. Particularly fascinating was the section recreating the lives of coal miners from the 19th to early 20th centuries. Despite harsh working conditions, it conveyed how people lived while cherishing family and community bonds.
A female curator at the museum remarked memorably, “This town has experienced industrial changes but has always found new charms with each transformation.” I felt that the current peaceful, beautiful tourist destination had developed upon layers of such history.
In the evening, I explored the castle surroundings again. Viewing the castle from different angles revealed new discoveries. The fortress seen from across the lake appeared more mystical and dignified. A local woman sat on a lakeside bench reading—when I casually struck up a conversation, she turned out to be another tourist. This visitor from Manchester shared, “I’m drawn to the tranquility here and visit every year.” Indeed, this place possessed something that calmed the human spirit.
For dinner, I chose “The Courthouse,” a different pub from the previous night. This establishment, converted from a 19th-century courthouse, featured heavy wooden interiors that evoked history. I ordered a pie made with local beef—the pastry was light and flaky, the beef tender and well-braised, combining exquisitely with mashed potatoes.
The bartender, a local young man, enthusiastically described Caerphilly’s seasonal charms. “Spring brings flowers around the castle, summer offers great lake fishing, autumn displays beautiful foliage, and winter creates mystical fog-shrouded castle views,” he explained, his expression conveying pure love for his hometown.
On the walk back to the inn, a canopy of stars stretched overhead. Looking up at this beautiful starry sky invisible in urban areas, I reflected on the day’s experiences. The mountain vista, artisan craftsmanship, and local people’s warmth—I had gained deeper understanding of this land’s multifaceted appeal.
Day 3: A Morning of Farewell and Lasting Memories
On this final morning, I woke slightly earlier than usual. Looking out the window, thin mist enveloped the entire town, rendering the castle’s form dreamy and ethereal. Determined not to miss this mystical scene, I quickly prepared and stepped outside.
During my morning walk, I quietly circled the mist-shrouded castle. The castle and lake showed completely different expressions from previous days, making me appreciate this land’s beauty anew. The castle’s silhouette gradually emerging from the fog seemed like a medieval apparition transcending time to appear in the present. With few people about in the early morning, only waterfowl calls and my footsteps broke the silence.
I enjoyed my final meal at the B&B breakfast table. When Gwen asked, “How was it?” I shared my honest impressions, and she smiled, saying, “Caerphilly has the power to bring peace to people’s hearts.” Her words “Please come back again” reminded me once more of this town’s people’s warmth.
During the morning, I took a final stroll through the town center, visiting St. Martin’s Church, which I hadn’t yet seen. This 12th-century church, though simple inside, radiated a solemn atmosphere. Soft light filtering through stained glass made the quiet space even more sacred. Walking through the church cemetery, I could sense the presence of people who had lived rooted in this land across many centuries.
Afterward, I searched for travel mementos in the town’s small bookstore, which displayed books on local history and Welsh poetry collections. When the elderly female shopkeeper asked, “Looking for something specific?” I mentioned seeking something to commemorate this journey. She recommended a photography book of Caerphilly Castle taken by a local photographer, capturing the castle’s beautiful seasonal transformations—exactly what I had been seeking.
For lunch, I returned to The Moat Café from the first day, savoring the Caerphilly cheese sandwich once more. Unlike my initial tasting, I felt I could better appreciate the flavor’s depth. Perhaps this came from gradually understanding the land’s culture and history over three days. The female staff member remembered me and asked, “Did you enjoy your stay?”
In the afternoon before departure, I walked slowly around the castle one final time. Though I had visited this place daily for three days, each viewing revealed new discoveries—stone color variations, water surface reflections, surrounding green intensities. Everything appeared subtly different. Sitting on a bench, I reflected on these three days: the first day’s overwhelming castle grandeur, the second day’s nature and culture encounters, and this quiet final day. Though brief, it had been an incredibly rich period.
Walking toward the station, shopkeepers and people I encountered called out, “Please visit again.” Perhaps because it’s a small town, they remembered visitors. Such warmth formed part of this town’s charm.
Waiting for the train at Caerphilly Station platform, I reflected on this town once more. Though not a major tourist destination, it offered an ancient castle, beautiful nature, and above all, encounters with warm-hearted people. Within unhurried time flows, I had forgotten daily chaos and rested my spirit. As the train slid into the platform, the castle’s form gradually shrank from view through the window. Yet these three days’ memories remained firmly etched in my heart.
Conclusion: What Felt Real Despite Being Imaginary
This journey was fictional. I never actually visited Caerphilly—Gwen’s B&B, the people I met, the meal memories—all were merely imagined experiences.
Yet strangely, these memories seem to exist genuinely within my heart. The castle’s mystical morning appearance wrapped in mist, Caerphilly cheese’s rustic flavors, the beautiful green landscape viewed from the mountain summit, and especially the local people’s warm smiles—though all products of imagination, these fictional memories possess the vividness of actual experience.
Travel involves placing oneself in new locations and, through encounters with local culture, nature, and people, examining oneself anew. Through this imaginary journey, I rediscovered the value of quiet, peaceful time, the power held by historically significant places, and the importance of human connections.
I realized the richness of traveling freely within one’s mind, transcending real-world constraints. Even when unable to physically visit a place, imagination enables travel experiences. Such journeys will likely deepen the eventual joy of truly visiting those destinations.
The memory of three days spent in the beautiful town of Caerphilly—fictional yet authentic—feels like it will remain in my heart forever.
