St Donat's Castle

St Donats, United Kingdom

St Donat's Castle is a medieval castle in the Vale of Glamorgan, positioned on cliffs overlooking the Bristol Channel. The site has been occupied since the Iron Age, and was by tradition the home of the Celtic chieftain Caradog. The present castle's origins date from the 12th century when the de Haweys and later Peter de Stradling began its development. The Stradlings held the castle for four hundred years, until the death of Sir Thomas Stradling in a duel in 1738.

During the 18th century, the castle's status and condition declined and by the early 19th century it was only partly habitable. The later 19th and early 20th centuries saw several restorations. 

Today the castle is home to some three hundred and fifty international students and, with a history of occupation extending back to the late-13th century, is among the oldest continuously inhabited castles in Wales. Both the castle and the grounds are of historical and architectural importance, and have Grade I listed status.

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Founded: 12th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in United Kingdom

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Sarah t (12 months ago)
We visited for a Christmas Fayre event which is hosted every year. The castle itself is an international college which opens its doors to several organised events, this being one of them. There's also one in the Summer too. I love these events & browsing around the many stalls held by local traders & also experiencing the wonderful architecture of the place. The ladies downstairs toilets are like something out of Hogwarts. Def one not to be missed & well organised. Costs £12 parking.
HAQQ (16 months ago)
Stunning wedding venue, beautiful grounds. Great view to the sea. Lots of greenery. There was security around at all times in case tou need anything. Clean throughout. Had a great experience and parking is available
Владимир Павлийчук (17 months ago)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5-Star Review: St. Donats Castle Visit - A Delightful Experience! My family and I recently had the pleasure of visiting St. Donats Castle, and it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with a warm welcome that immediately made us feel at home. The staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating, which set the tone for the rest of our visit. The castle itself is an absolute gem! It has been meticulously preserved, allowing us to step back in time and immerse ourselves in its rich history. Exploring the castle's nooks and crannies was like a journey through the past, and we were in awe of the architectural marvels it had to offer. But the true highlight for us was the breathtaking views. Perched atop a hill, St. Donats Castle provides sweeping vistas of the surrounding countryside and coastline. It was a photographer's dream come true, and we found ourselves captivated by the natural beauty that unfolded before our eyes. As we strolled through the castle's garden, we were greeted by an oasis of tranquility. The garden was immaculately maintained, bursting with vibrant colors and fragrances that delighted our senses. It was the perfect place to unwind and soak in the peaceful ambiance. Our visit wouldn't have been complete without the fantastic guide who led us through the castle's history. Their storytelling skills were exceptional, and they managed to bring the past to life with fascinating anecdotes and historical insights. The guide's passion for the castle was evident, and it made the tour all the more engaging. Overall, St. Donats Castle surpassed all our expectations and provided us with a truly memorable outing with our family. We highly recommend this enchanting destination to anyone seeking a delightful blend of history, natural beauty, and warm hospitality. A heartfelt thank you to everyone at St. Donats Castle for making our visit so special. We can't wait to return someday!
Simon Jones (2 years ago)
Bought tickets as a family of 4 to the Halloween Spooktacular event to watch HocusPocus in the hall. There was barely any decorations up, the refreshments were extremely basic no hot food just one choice of crisps ASDA popcorn tubs and a couple of chocolate bars! not a festive treat in sight. The promo shots for the event were absolutely NOTHING like the experience on the day everybody just sat in the hall awaiting the film to start with no ambient atmosphere music at all, some people dressed up which was literally the only way you'd ever know you were attending a Halloween event. Nothing more than a cash grab! Poorly lit on the way out somebody fell over and I could have sworn I heard thier phone go flying aswell. WASTE OF TIME/MONEY not happy whatsoever.
Julie Brown (2 years ago)
Such a lovely experience. The Church is always open for people to visit or pray. It's very peaceful and lots of history to see. The Castle has such fantastic features and looks like something out of a Harry Potter movie
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