Wales
Mid Wales

Castles

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Brecon Castle
Brecon, Powys
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. It gradually fell into disrepair, and by the late Georgian period the castle was little more than a ruin In the early 19th century it was converted to use as a hotel, a position it still fulfills.

Bronllys Castle
in Bronllys, Powys Southeast of A438/A479 junction at Bronllys village. Cadw. Open site.
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.

Builth Castle
in Builth, Powys
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. Builth played a dramatic role in the history of Wales; Llewelyn the Great came here in 1282 to plead for help in his rebellion against the Normans. On leaving Builth his force fell into an ambush at nearby Cilmeri and Llewelyn was killed.

Camlais Castle
Three miles southeast of Sennybridge on the A40.
A Norman motte surrounded by a ditch and base of circular keep c 1240.

Carreghoffa Castle
Carreghofa, Powys
Traces of earthwork is all that remains of this castle with the turbulent past so typical of many Welsh castles. It was built about 1101 by Robert de Bellesme, but captured the following year by Henry I. Over the subsequent century it was taken and retaken at least seven times before being destroyed by Llywelyn ab Iorwerth around 1230.

Castell Blaen Llynfi
Three mile west of Tretower (A479).
Scant late Norman ruins of a large bailey and ditch and a rubble curtain wall.

Castell Crug Eryr
Llandrindod Wells, Powys
A simple translation of the Welsh name of this castle tells a lot about it. Crug Eryr translates as "The Eagle's Crag", a good description of this dramatic hilltop above the Edw valley. The castle itself is a very rudimentary earthwork motte and bailey. Although we do not know when the earthworks were thrown up, they existed in 1188 when Geraldus Cambrensis stayed here on his famous "Journey Through Wales".

Castle Caereinion Castle
Caereinion, Powys
This motte and bailey castle was begun in 1156 by Madog ap Maredudd, prince of Powys. The castle was destroyed by Madog's nephew Owain Cyfeiliog and his Norman allies in the late 12th century. Little remains now beyond the raised mound of the motte in a corner o the churchyard.

Castell y Blaidd (Wolf's Castle)
Llanbadarn Fynydd, Powys
A ringwork defensive enclosure of Norman vintage, open at one end like a horseshoe. There are no verifiable remains of construction within the defenses, which sit on a high elevation near a pass through the hills.

Cefnllys Castle
near Llandrindod Wells, Powys
There are two castles here, built along a high, narrow ridge. The more imposing northern castle was built by Roger Mortimer around 1240. It saw action in the ongoing friction between Llewelyn the Great and the Marcher Lords, and was badly damaged in Owain Glyndwr's revolt around 1406. By the late 16th century Cefnllys was a ruin, and today there is little left of Mortimer's fortress.

Crickhowell Castle
Crickhowell, Powys
Originally a simple motte and bailey built by the De Turbervilles (see Coity Castle), Crickhowell was remodelled in stone in 1272 by the unlikely-named Sir Grimbald Pauncefote. He added a simple shell keep, little of which can be seen today. Still quite visible, however, are the twin-towered gatehouse and a double tower in the eastern end. As with so many Norman castles, Crickhowell suffered at the hands of Owain Glyndwr, and it seems that the castle was never rebuilt.

Dinas Castle (Castell Dinas)
near Blaenllyfni, Powys
Not to be confused with the more well-known Castle Dinas Bran in Denbighshire, Dinas Castle is the meagre remains of a very early Norman building. It seems likely that the castle was overrun by the Welsh in 1233, and again in 1262. What little remains of the Norman masonry is overgrown with greenery.

Dolforwyn Castle
Minor roads from A483, Abermule, midway between Newtown and Montgomery. Cadw. Open site. Uphill walk.
Built c1273 by Llywelyn the Last. Ruins of circular tower, keep, and walls.

Hay Castle
At Hay-on-Wye, B4350.
Norman castle ruins (wall, gateway, tower) built c1200. Part of the ruins contain a bookstore. The castle was supposedly owned by Maud, wife of William de Braose.

Montgomery
High on a hilltop above the town of Montgomery are the remnants of Montgomery Castle, built in 1223 to guard the border. It commands a view over the countryside, the town and the 13th century St Nicholas' Church. The castle saw action in the Civil War and was demolished by Parliament's army.

Powis Castle
One mile south of Welshpool, (A458) Montgomeryshire.
This is a stately home and gardens with 700 years of continuous occupation, building, and rebuilding. It was known as Pool Castle in medieval times. The square tower is thought to be a late Norman keep. A 1668 gateway leads to altered Tudor lodgings and an Edwardian gatehouse.

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Photo credits - Montgomery Castle © Barbara Ballard, Bronllys Castle courtesy of Cadw