The first structure to exist on the site of Cardiff castle was constructed by the Romans who built a 10 acre fort. The present castle is though of Norman origin and the first Norman castle to be built on the site was around 1091, by Robert Fitzhamon, Lord of Gloucester.

The castle has however seen many changes and additions in its lifetime and the most notable of these were made by the 3rd Marquess of Bute who enlisted the architect William Burges to transform the Castle lodgings. Burges created lavish interiors of stained glass, marble and gilding. The castle today is open to the public and is one of Wales's leading tourist attractions.