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St Briavel's Castle
Travel Information and nearby accommodation
An impressive medieval castle on a hillside site overlooking the River Wye. The site was first fortified by the Norman lord William Fitz Baderon after he obtained the estate in 1086. That first fortification was a motte and bailey fortress, but that was replaced by a square stone keep built atop the motte sometime in the late 12th century. The keep stood over 100 foot in height, and may have served to guard the ford at Bigsweir.
Throughout the medieval period St Briavels served as a royal administrative centre for the Forest of Dean. As such it welcomed numerous royal visitors over the centuries, including King John, Henry II, and Edward II.
The keep was extended and strengthened between 1209-1211 with the addition of domestioc buildings, royal apartments, and a twin-towered gatehouse. That gatehouse was rebuilt by Edward I in 1292, forming the basis of the castle we can see today.
The castle served as a royal outpost on the turbulent frontier between Wales and England. It also served as a legal centre. At various points the Hundred Court, Court Baron, Court of Criminal justice, and Mine Law courts wee held here. It also served as a prison and an arsenal for locally produced crossbow bolts using iron mined in the Forest of Dean.
A chapel was built within the castle ward in the 14th century. Following the 15th century pacification of Wales the castle became less important. Parts of the castle were demolished and others collapsed during the 17th and 18th centuries. It continued to be used as a prison until 1842. It was restored in the late 19th century, and was converted to use as a youth hostel in 1952, a function it fulfills today.
The bulk of the castle remains are 13th century. There is an extensive dry moat, now converted to a garden. Edward I’s gatehouse, domestic buildings, curtain walls, and much of the keep remain about a polygonal ward.
Since the castle is now a youth hostel, the interior is only open on designated days. See English Heritage website for current details. The castle is located almost directly opposite the Norman parish church of St Briavels, which is wel worth a visit.
St Briavel's,
Gloucestershire,
England, GL15 6RG
About St Briavel's Castle
Attraction Type: Castle
Location: Well signposted in the centre of St Briavel village. Roadside parking.
Website: St Briavel's Castle
English Heritage
Location
map
OS SO558046
Heritage Highlight: Edward I's late 13th century gatehouse
Heritage Rating:  ?
Nearest Accommodation to St Briavel's Castle
Nearest Self Catering Cottages |
 Garden Cottage -
7.1
miles from St Briavel's Castle
Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire
Sleeps: 3
Stay from: £200 |
 The Granary -
7.1
miles from St Briavel's Castle
Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire
Sleeps: 3
Stay from: £200 |
 Quat' Saisons -
7.2
miles from St Briavel's Castle
Symonds Yat West, Herefordshire
Sleeps: 4
Stay from: £265 |
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Nearest Tourist
Information Centre
Monmouth
Tourist Information Centre
Shire Hall
Agincourt Square
Monmouth
Gwent
Wales
NP5 3DY
Tel: 01600 713899
Fax: 01600 772794
Email: monmouth.tic@monmouthshire.gov.uk
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