Court House, Caerphilly, Wales

Gord and I had lunch on a patio at the Court House, with a view of Caerphilly Castle! 

Court House is a 700-year-old courthouse that got turned into a pub. Back in the 1300s, it was where local legal cases were heard. It was built after a violent attack on the court at Caerphilly Castle in 1316, when rebels led by Llywelyn Bren stormed the area. 

The Nags Head, Wrexham, Wales

Gord and I had supper at The Nags Head, one of Wrexham's most historic pubs, with records showing it existed by the mid-17th century. It is regarded as one of the town's oldest surviving public houses. Inside it was more of a family style restaurant. 

We both ordered wings … Gord’s were plain and mine had Piri Piri sauce. Both were good!

Horse & Jockey, Wrexham, Wales

Gord and I had a beer at the Horse & Jockey, the oldest pub in Wrexham.

It dates back to the 16th century. It is highly distinctive as the only surviving thatched-roof property in Wrexham. When we walked by it, we had to stop in! Happily it looks like it hasn't changed much over the years. Apparently it is the combination of 3 cottages that have been combined over the years. It was definitely the most authentic pub we've been in so far and Rachel, the barkeep, was fun and friendly. Cheers! 

STōK Racecourse/STōK Cae Ras, Wrexham, Wales

Gord and I watch Welcome to Wrexham. Though the season is over, we were hoping to be able to do a tour of STōK Racecourse, Wrexham AFC's stadium, but they seem to happen sporadically with no set schedule. So we had to make do with see it from the outside and peeking in through the fences. 

The Turf, Wrexham, Wales

Gord and I watch Welcome to Wrexham so we took a 2.5 hour train to Wrexham this morning. 

The Turf is the pub that is attached to the STōK Racecourse, Wrexham AFC's stadium, and is featured often on the show along with its owner, Wayne. So it was a must-see spot for us. There was lots of Ryan, Rob and Wrexham memorabilia.

Owain Glyndwr, Cardiff, Wales

Gord and I stopped in at the Owain Glyndw because the pub apparently dates back to 1731. Though it’s an old pub, alas inside it’s more like a sports bar. Our happy hour 2 for 1 strawberry daiquiris were fun! Cheers!

Blue Bell, Cardiff, Wales

Gord and I had supper at Blue Bell. It was established in 1813 and has kept its look of a traditional pub. 

I had Welsh Beef Lasagne (Celtic Pride minced beef in a tomato and basil sauce, layered between pasta sheets. Topped with Dragon cheddar cheese and served with a garlic baguette.). Mine was okay. It was different than I’m used to. The cheese was mushy rather than melty and stringy. One half had lots of pasta and sauce and a small amount of cheese and the other half had very little pasta and sauce and loads of mushy cheese. 

Gord had Welsh Rarebit (Traditional Welsh dish of melted cheese, mustard and ale, served on a crusty baguette, with Jones & Co fig, tomato and onion chutney.) and Glamorgan Sausages (Traditional Welsh vegetarian sausages made with cheese, leeks and breadcrumbs, served with Jones & Co fig, tomato and onion chutney.) and really liked them.

Cardiff Castle/Castell Caerdydd, Cardiff, Wales

Gord and I toured Cardiff Castle this afternoon. It's in the city centre.

The site has been occupied for nearly 2,000 years. The Romans built a fort there around AD 55 to help control the area. Later, they replaced it with a much stronger stone fort and parts of those Roman walls are still standing today.

After the Romans left, the Normans arrived following the conquest of England. Around the late 11th century they built a castle inside the old Roman fort. The large grassy mound in the middle and the stone keep on top are from this period.

During the Middle Ages, Cardiff Castle became an important stronghold and was involved in various conflicts between Norman lords and Welsh rulers. Over time, it evolved from a military fortress into a grand residence.

The castle’s most famous makeover happened in the 1800s when the incredibly wealthy John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute hired architect William Burges. Together they transformed it into the spectacular Gothic-style palace you see today, with lavish rooms, murals, towers and intricate decorations.

During the Second World War, tunnels beneath the castle walls were used as air-raid shelters for thousands of Cardiff residents.

In 1947, the Bute family gave the castle to the city, and today Cardiff Castle is one of Wales’s most popular attractions.

The Borough Arms, Cardiff, Wales

Gord and I had a beer at The Borough Arms, which dates from 1867. 

It was built during Cardiff's Victorian boom years and is one of the older surviving pubs in the city centre. It definitely had the feel of an old pub. Cheers!

Cardiff Market/Marchnad Caerdydd, Cardiff, Wales

Cardiff Market/Marchnad Caerdydd is kind of like our flea markets. I bought a teeshirt and Gord bought a couple of stones and a faggot (a savory meatball made from minced pork offal [heart, liver, and fatty belly meat], wrapped in caul fat and baked or stewed in gravy). 

Cardiff Market (also known as Central Market) is an impressive Victorian structure which offers a unique shopping experience in the heart of a modern, bustling city. 

Under one great glass roof you will find a wealth of products ranging from pots and pans to bread and butter, and from nuts and bolts to rock and roll. Cardiff Market has been trading in one form or another since the 1700’s.

Bonnie Rogues, Cardiff, Wales

Gord and I had a beer at the Bonnie Rogues. 

There was a fella singing when we'd walked by it earlier but he was finished when we walked in later ... then loud pop music came on. It seemed like a fun spot. Cheers!