You are convinced this is a beautiful and well-preserved medieval castle while walking towards these three stone towers. Actually, Castell Coch was built in the late 19th century. However, two previous strongholds stood on this site. The first was constructed by the Normans in 1081 as part of their conquest of Wales. Gilbert de Clare, the 7th Earl of Gloucester, built the second in 1277 but it was partially destroyed in 1314. The land was acquired by John Stuart, the 3rd Earl of Bute, in 1760. He was the Prime Minister of Britain and also the first Prime Minister of Scotland. It would be another 100 years before a member of his family, John Patrick Crichton-Stuart, commissioned this castle. The “Red Castle” is located in Tongwynlais, a small town about a fifteen minute drive north of Cardiff.
