In a town growing rapidly due to the unstoppable tide of industry, it helps for everyone to be able to tell the right time! Hence why, during the renovations of Cardiff Castle in the mid-19th century, the style of an old world came to meet the demands of a new one.

The 150ft (46m)-high Clock Tower of Cardiff Castle was designed by William Burges for the 3rd Marquess of Bute, and was constructed in 1868, a time when the town’s importance was heightening by the day, as it became a safe haven for ships to collect tonne after tonne of Welsh steam coal, to bring back to lands across the world. The tower is made of ashlar stone from the Forest of Dean area, in the Welsh Borders, and was built to comprise a number of bachelor suites, a bedroom, bathroom, servants’ rooms, and two smoking rooms. Above where the clock faces are planted is the internal balcony of the Summer smoking room, which offered views down to the docks and across to the northern coast of South West England, while the floor depicted a map of the world in mosaic.

Hope you enjoy!