Castles
in Wales - Mid Wales & Brecon Beacons
A guide
to Mid Wales & Brecon Beacons, Wales, highlighting attractions,
history, and visitor
information.
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.
Brecon,
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.
Bronllys,
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.
A Norman motte and bailey castle dating to the 12th century. The castle was later abandonned and the site of the motte used for a 14th century manor house.
Sennybridge,
Powys,
Wales
Attraction Type:
Castle Heritage Rating:? Location: 3 m SE Sennybridge, off A4215
Traces of earthwork is all that remains of this castle with the turbulent past so typical of many Welsh castles. Carreghoffa was built about 1101 by Robert de Bellesme, but captured the following year by Henry I. Henry II extended the fortifications, and installed an English garrison. The Welsh retook the castle in 1163, only to have Henry take it back in 1165.
Scant late Norman ruins of a large bailey and ditch and a rubble curtain wall. The castle (also known as Blaenllynfi) was built sometime between 1208-1215, and was rebuilt in the middle of the 14th century.
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 name may relate to Llywelyn Crug Eryr,, a well known herald bard, who may have resided here. The castle itself is a very rudimentary earthwork motte and bailey.
Llanfihangel-nant-Melan,
Powys,
Wales
Not a castle in the traditional sense, but 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. The Glyndwr's Way long distance path runs beside the site.
This motte and bailey castle which gives its name to the village of Castle Caereinion was begun in 1156 by Madog ap Maredudd, prince of Powys. Madog's nephew, Owain Cyfeiliog, allied himself with the Normans, and as a result the castle was seized by Lord Rhys and Owain Gwynedd in 1166.
Castle Caereinion,
Powys,
Wales
There are two castles here, built along a high, narrow ridge. The more imposing northern castle was built by Roger Mortimer around 1240. It was badly damaged in 1262, and as a result the second castle wes erected to the south east, beginning about 1267. This second castle 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.
Llandrindod Wells,
Powys,
Wales
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. Sir Grimbald's great-grandson, Sir John Pauncefoot, was ordered by Henry IV to strengthen the castle against attack by Owain Glyndwr. but his efforts were in vain; as with so many Norman castles, Crickhowell was sacked by Glyndwr's men, who left it 'in ruins'.
Crickhowell,
Powys,
Wales
This secluded hilltop fortress was built c. 1273-77 by Llewelyn the Last. Until excavations in the 1980s nothing much was known about Dolforwyn, but now the remains of a substantial fortress have been laid bare. But there is more to Dolforwyn than just a castle; Llewelyn established a purpose-built town here, the forerunner of Newton in the valley below.
Abermule,
Powys,
Wales
Norman castle ruins composed of walls, gateway, and tower, built about 1200. Part of the ruins contain a bookstore. The castle was supposedly owned by Maud, wife of William de Braose. The first fortification at Hay was on a motte beside the parish church.
Hay-on-Wye,
Powys,
Wales
Attraction Type:
Castle Heritage Rating:? Location: On the B4350 in the centre of Hay
High on a hilltop above the town of Montgomery are the remnants of Montgomery Castle, built in 1223 to guard the Welsh border. At the same time a walled borough was established, but nothing remains of the borough beyond faint traces of earthworks. The castle site commands a marvellous view over the countryside, the town and the impressive 13th century St Nicholas' Church in the town below.
Montgomery,
Powys,
Wales
This is a stately home and gardens with 700 years of continuous occupation, building, and rebuilding. In fact, it is the only castle of Welsh origin that has remained in continuous habitation throughout its history. The fortress 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. The house is full of memorabilia of India in the time of Clive (his son married a daughter of the house).
Welshpool,
Powys,
Wales,
SY21 8RF
A ruined castle with 13th century round keep and late medieval garden share the grounds share space with a 15th century medieval mansion called Tretower Court, which features fine timberwork and walled courtyard.
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