Spectacular Welsh Castles Snubbed by "Essential Guide"

12.56.48pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 9th Aug 2005

News that three of Wales' top castle and tourist attractions have been overlooked in a national newspaper's "essential guide to going out and staying in" has been described by a senior assembly member as "extremely disappointing".

Michael German AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat area AM for South East Wales said the decision by The Independent's "The Information" (published on Saturday August 6th) to exclude Caerphilly, Raglan and Chepstow castles from their Top 50 "defies belief."

He said: "It is extremely disappointing that The Independent's usual excellent editing failed to mentioned three universally accepted grand castles in the country and Europe. Clearly we in Wales must do more to raise the profile of our heritage so that London-based newspapers don't forget we are here and we have fantastic places to visit.

"I find it difficult to believe there are 50 finer castles than Caerphilly. Not only is it enormous, second only to Windsor in size among UK castles, but its leaning tower is an object of wonder to visitors from all over the world.

"Raglan's hexagonal Great Tower, and the incredible location of Chepstow Castle also have much to commend them. It defies belief that all three have escaped the notice of the Independent's researchers."

Notes:

Caerphilly Castle was excluded from the list

Caerphilly castle is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Britain begun in 1268. It is one of the great medieval castles of Western Europe. Caerphilly is immense (1.2h) for a castle, making it the largest in the UK after Windsor in Berkshire. The large scale use of water for defence and the fact that it is the first truly concentric castle in the county make it a must-see castle. Of the time of its building in the late 13th century, it was a revolutionary design.

The Independent forgot to mention Raglan castle

Raglan Castle is unique in the country for its hexagonal-shaped Great Tower and lavish suites of state apartments still survive. It was the home of Henry VII as a child. Raglan has been used for film locations in the past.

Why was Chepstow not included?

Chepstow Castle remains the oldest dated stone castle in the country and one of the oldest in Europe - the earliest part started in 1067. Perched on limestone cliffs, arching its way around a bend in the river Wye and Welsh border, it guarded the main river crossing from Southern England into Wales. This is a special castle in a special location.

The Independent publishes The Information ("The essential guide to going out and staying in") every Saturday. The edition of August 6th-12th featured "The 50 best castles in Britain and Ireland". Welsh castles that received a mention were:

Beaumaris, Ynys Mon

Caernarfon, Gwynedd

Powis Castle, Welshpool, Powys

Conwy, Gwynedd

Cardiff

Chrick, Clwyd

Bodelwyddan, Rhyll, Clwyd

Gwydir, Llanrwst, Gwynedd