On the train to the South Wales coast path, a perfect stopping point two hours west of London Paddington station, is Cardiff, the capital of Wales. Cardiff is also home to an ancient castle and regal house built extravagantly with proceeds from the coal and iron ore trade. Originally a Roman fort around 75 AD, the Norman's invaded a thousand years later. Surviving many wars throughout history, the castle was heavily bombarded in WWII and housed long tunnels of shelters under its expansive property. With the Welsh nationalization of coal after WWII, the owners donated the castle and house to the local government. In 1955, Cardiff was named capital of Wales with the distinctive castle at its centre.
