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Fonmon Castle - home of Jurassic Wales

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About

FONMON CASTLE PARK, ESTATE GARDENS
Visitors to Fonmon Castle and Estate can experience a Dinosaur Experience, reconstructed Medieval Working Farm, Lost Victorian Gardens, Pirate Adventure, an interactive Story Telling Adventure, Fairy Village, Mad Hatter's Garden, Woodland Walks, Children’s Playgrounds, Themed Gardens and a host of On-Site costumed staff.

The castle sits on 350 acres and the current owners are committed to enhancing South Wales by providing an interactive, outdoor and fun environment. Visitors can interact in Welsh and English and all staff are keen to impart their wealth of local knowledge. Fonmon Castle welcomes research tours and educational groups at almost any time but these need to be arranged prior to the visit.

JURASSIC WALES DINOSAUR PARK

The Dinosaur Experience at Fonmon is an exciting way to get fitness, discovery and adventure all rolled into a prehistoric walk. Imaginations will run riot as you explore acres of woodland to discover dinosaurs in a natural setting. Hunt high and low - you never know where the next one may be hiding!

The collection of Dinosaurs are sourced from one of the leading dinosaur research centres and each creation is in line with current Dinosaur research and scientific theories. Your children will be amazed by just how impressive some of the prehistoric creatures are.

Inside the Dino Dome Experience Centre onsite actors bring the animatronic Dinosaurs located within this area to life in a fun and friendly way. 

Children can learn how to explore and discover within the Dinosaur Dig Pits. Each pit has a hidden fossilised Dinosaur beneath the sand.

HISTORY OF FONMON CASTLE

Fonmon Castle is set on a private estate in the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan and just 25 minutes from Cardiff and the M4, It was built by the St. John family in the early 12th century and has been a family home for over 800 years.

Fonmon Castle is one of the few medieval castles which is still lived in as a home. it was built by the St. John family in the early 12th century and has been a family home for over 800 years.

Although most of the present castle dates from the post-medieval period, the rectangular keep was built c.1200 and is still the core of the castle. In later centuries the castle was enlarged by adding wings to the medieval keep accompanied by stunning Georgian interiors.

Originally, the Castle was surrounded by outer defensive works that enclosed about 2.5 acres. As time passed and the need for defence faded, this enclosure was converted into the present flower gardens and fruit and vegetable growing areas.

Due to the steep ravine immediately to the East of the Castle, these spaces lie to the North, West and South of the main building. On the East, the Castle is backed by mature woodland mostly planted in the 19th or early 20th centuries.

Access to the interiors at all times cannot be guaranteed. However, at certain times of the year, the owners of this beautiful historic building allow visitors to wander and explore some of their highly decorative Georgian rooms.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Prices shown are for tickets purchased online, tickets purchased upon arrival are subject to a surcharge.

Facilities

Booking & Payment Details

  • Online Booking Possible

Catering

  • On-site catering
  • On-site light refreshments
  • Picnic site

Children

  • Baby changing facilities
  • Children welcome

Groups

  • Facilities for groups

Parking

  • Free Parking

Property Facilities

  • Dogs not accepted (except guidedogs)
  • Gift shop
  • Public toilets

Target Markets

  • Accepts groups
  • Coach parties accepted

Map & Directions

Road Directions

Warning – Using SatNav to approach Fonmon can cause problems. We have a unique postcode which does not ‘link’ to a public highway. Hence you may be told ‘you have arrived’ when you are anywhere up to ½ mile away…..

From Junction 33 of the M4 follow A4232 towards Cardiff. At the first major intersection take A4050 following signs to Cardiff Airport. (The A4050 becomes A4226 north of Barry.) Bypass the airport to the north following A4226/B4265 towards Llantwit Major. Do NOT take 1st left, which is signposted Fonmon (the village), but continue under bridge for another two thirds of a mile. Follow brown tourism signs, firstly left towards Rhoose and East Aberthaw. Then, 100 yards beyond the top of the small hill, turn left again into Castle Road. Go over traffic lights and our lodges are at the end of Castle Road, with the gates on the left. IMPORTANT – PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ACCESS THE CASTLE VIA FONMON VILLAGE

 

 

 

Public Transport Directions

Accessible by Public Transport: Rhoose station is 2 miles away.

Fonmon Castle - The Home of Jurassic Wales

Type:Theme Park

Fonmon Castle, Castle Road, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, CF62 3ZN

Add Fonmon Castle - The Home of Jurassic Wales to your Itinerary

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Call direct on:

Tel01446 710206

Opening Times

* Open every day 10am - 5pm. Last entry 3pm.

Awards

  • Other AwardsHistoric Houses Association Friends Scheme Historic Houses Association Friends Scheme 2016
  • Regional and MiscellaneousWTTC Safe Travels WTTC Safe Travels 2022

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