CARDIGAN Castle features in a new Cadw booklet for visitors that celebrates the castles and history of the Lords and Princes of Wales.

Culture Minister Lord Elis-Thomas, on a visit to the town, said Cardigan Castle and similar sites across the country reserved a special place in Welsh history and that more was being done to ensure they were as accessible and informative as possible.

Lord Elis-Thomas said: “From Caerphilly to Caernarfon, Conwy to Castell Coch, we are a country blessed with some of the most magnificent, imposing castles in the world.

“But there are a whole host of castles on our doorsteps that are, perhaps, less well known but both individually and as a collective serve as precious physical reminders of our history and our heritage.

“These, to me, are the true Welsh castles - those built or inhabited by distinguished Welshmen of the past - by Llywelyn, Lord Rhys and Glyndwr among others.

“Welsh Princes who fought for and over Wales and helped shape the Wales and Welshness we recognise today. I’ve been determined to better promote and signpost these castles and their significance to our history and culture.

“I don’t think we have sufficiently grasped what Cardigan Castle is to Wales. I was delighted to visit to see how the castle has been transformed – and is again at the heart of life in Cardigan

“It was Cardigan Castle where the eisteddfod was born and we should celebrate this fact more. After all, I would argue the word eisteddfod is the most internationally-known Welsh word.

“Cardigan Castle was also directly involved in the conflict between the Normans and the Welsh lords.

“It is also very much part of the town. It does not have the threatening battlements of other castles and in this respect it can be seen as a friendly, neighbourhood castle and it is those qualities of Cardigan that can be further developed.

“I hope that, through the material launched today as well as through future improvements, we can help encourage as many people as possible to explore and enjoy these Welsh castles and their significance to the Wales we live in today.”

The new booklet, which features 24 castles alongside abbeys and other historical sites, will be available for free at all Cadw sites, with further information also available online.

Castle director Jac Owen Daves: “Cardigan Castle is more linked to the local community than any other castle in Wales because of the nature of how we operate.

“We are still reaping the benefits from the Channel 4 Restoration of the Year success. The show was recently broadcast in Australia and as a result we have had a lot of Australian tourists coming here.

“I have only been here since October and it is great to see the castle so busy during the summer season and full of people.

“I think it is acting as a catalyst for the development of the whole town and the two go hand-in-hand together. We have got an amazing resource and it is now all about building on what we have already got.

“It has such a story to tell and there’s so much history here. As the minister pointed out, the big showpiece castles already attract a lot of attention but the smaller indigenous Welsh castle such as Cardigan are so important."