A visitor's A-Z guide to Wales.
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Historic Castles in Wales A visitor's A-Z guide to Wales. |
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 Castles in Wales
Abergavenny Castle
Castle Street, Abergavenny, Gwent, Wales, NP7 5EE One of the earliest Norman castles in Wales, Abergavenny dates to 1081. Four substantial towers remain, with a 14th century gatehouse and barbican. The motte is surmounted by a Victorian mock keep, built on the remains of the original 12th century version. During the late 12th century the castle was owned by William de Braose, one of the most notoriously cruel of the Norman Marcher Lords. MORE >> Attraction Type: Castle Location: On the A40 Website: Abergavenny Castle Email: abergavennymuseum@monmouthshire.gov.uk Phone: 01873 854282 Cadw Location map OS Grid SO298 139 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Heritage Rating:  ?
Abergwyngregyn Castle
Abergwyngregyn, Gwynedd, Wales A simple Norman motte, founded by Hugh d'Avranches, Earl of Chester, in about 1090. Today, little remains beyond a tumble of stones marking the location of a stone keep atop the motte. The castle mound was built up with boulders taken from the nearby river. MORE >> Attraction Type: Castle Location map OS Grid SH658 727 Photo Credit: Oliver Dixon, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence Heritage Rating:  ?
Aberystwyth Castle
Aberystwyth, Dyfed, Wales The evocative ruins of Aberystwyth Castle stand on a promonotory looking over the harbour. The ruins are the remnants of a late 13th century castle built by Edward I in his push to conquer Wales. There was an earlier castle on the heights of nearby Rhydyfelin, built by the powerful Norman baron, Gilbert de Clare around 1110. MORE >> Attraction Type: Castle Location: Located at the southern end of the seaside promenade, overlooking the harbour Website: Aberystwyth Castle Location map Photos of Aberystwyth Castle OS Grid SN578 815 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Heritage Rating: ?
Barry Castle
Barry, Glamorgan, Wales Bits of a gate and wall are all that remain of this 13th century fortified manor, seat of the de Barry family. The site originally boasted earthwork defenses, later augmented by the addition of stone buildings, a great hall, and a gatehouse defended by a drawbridge and portcullis. MORE >> Attraction Type: Castle Location map OS Grid ST102 673 Heritage Rating: ?
Beaumaris Castle
Beaumaris, Anglesey, Gwynedd, Wales, LL58 8AP An Edwardian (Edward I) concentric castle, begun in 1295 on a marshy plain (the name means "beautiful marsh"), to the design of James of St. George, who also worked on Harlech. The innovation here was staggered entrances between the inner and outer walls. The castle was never finished, as the Welsh threat evaporated. MORE >> Attraction Type: Castle Location: opposite Bangor, off A545 Website: Beaumaris Castle Phone: 01248 810361 Location map OS Grid SH608 762 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Heritage Rating: ?
Brecon Castle
Brecon, Powys, Wales A Norman motte and bailey castle was begun near this spot by Bernard de Neufmarche about 1093. The remains of the motte can still be seen in the garden of the Bishop's Palace, with the remnants of a 13th century stone keep. Contemporary with the keep was the great hall. The castle was beseiged 6 times in the 13th century, succumbing on 3 occasions. MORE >> Attraction Type: Castle Website: Brecon Castle Location map OS Grid SO044286 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Heritage Rating: ?
Bronllys Castle
Bronllys, Powys, Wales A mid-12th century stone keep perched atop an earlier motte overlooking the River Llynfi. Remains of the surrounding baileys are scant, and there is no remaining trace of any buildings within the walls apart from the round keep, which still towers 80 feet above the motte. MORE >> Attraction Type: Castle Location: SE of Bronllys village, off the A438/A479 junction. No car park, but roadside layby nearby. Website: Bronllys Castle Cadw Location map OS Grid SO149 347 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Heritage Rating: ?
Builth Castle
Builth, Powys, Wales One of the first of Edward I's castles in Wales, begun about 1277 on an earlier motte. The castle stands on a high bluff on the edge of the town. Little remains today beyond the outline of earth-covered walls, but in its time Builth ranked with Harlech and Caernarfon as one of Edward's most impressive fortifications in Wales. MORE >> Attraction Type: Castle Location: off A483 Location map OS Grid SO044 510 Photo Credit: Eirian Evans, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence Heritage Rating: ?
Caer Penrhos
Penrhos, Llanrhystud, Dyfed, Wales Caer Penrhos is an earthen ringwork fortification possibly built by Cadwaladr, son of Grufudd ap Cynan, sometime around 1149. The castle is a ringwork fortification set within an earlier Iron Age earthwork. The views are superb. MORE >> Attraction Type: Castle Location: Off the B4337 Location map OS Grid SN552 695 Heritage Rating: ?
Caerau Castle Ringwork
Caerau, Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales A Norman ringwork castle within an older Iron Age hillfort (as at Caer Penrhos). Unlike many Norman fortifications there is no motte at Caerau, only a bank and outer ditch. The bank would have had a wooden pallisade atop to provide extra protection. MORE >> Attraction Type: Castle Location: On the A4232 Location map OS Grid ST136 750 Photo Credit: John Lord, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence Heritage Rating: ?
Text © David Ross and Britain Express |
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HISTORY CORNERName the Historic attractionBritish Heritage AwardsCelebrate the best of British Heritage in our annual British History QuizThis battle took place on 14 April 1471 between Yorkists under the future Edward IV and Lancastrians under Warwick 'The Kingmaker' This Day in British History09 February, 1846 Commons debate opens on repeal of Corn Laws The Corn Laws would eventually be repealed on 26 June Monarch Mayhem
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