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.
Castle Street,
Abergavenny,
Gwent,
Wales, NP7 5EE
The Romans settled at Caerwent almost 2000 years ago, but the remains we see today are primarily those of a Norman motte and bailey castle of 1085 vintage. The motte was originally surmonted by a wooden tower, with a twin-towered gatehouse at the base of the motte and a bailey with at least two more towers.
Caerleon,
Newport,
Gwent,
Wales
Caerphilly, covering 30 acres (12.2ha), is one of the greatest surviving castles in the medieval Western world. It was a highpoint in medieval defensive architecture with its massive gatehouses and water features, and is the first true example of a concentric castle in Britain. Caerphilly was built by the powerful Earl Gilbert de Clare, beginning in 1268. So successful was de Clare's design that it was used as a model for Edward I's castles in North Wales.
Originally thought to be a Norman motte built on site of a Roman fort, it seems more likely that the 'castle' is an early Roman site with little medieval connection. The site is a rectilinear arrangement of courts and ranges measuring about 74 metres long by 38 metres wide.
More than one castle calls Caldicot home. The earliest, now lost, was erected in Saxon times. On the site of that earlier fortress the Normans erected a motte and bailey castle in 1086. Henry de Bohun, Earl of Hereford, built a stone keep atop the motte in 1221, plus a curtain wall and two corner towers. Later a two-story gatehouse with portcullis entry was erected. The Bohun family held the castle until 1373.
Church Road,
Caldicot,
Newport,
Gwent,
Wales, NP6 4HU
Chepstow is one of the earliest stone castles in Britain, and its design heavily influenced later castles. The fortress served as the administrative heart of the Marcher lordship of Chepstow, one of the most important of the English-dominated territories along the Welsh border.
Chepstow,
Gwent,
Wales
Grosmont is one of three castles built to guard to main route between Hereford and south Wales - the others being Skenfrith and White Castle. The castle is protected by a wide moat, 20 metres across, and a system of ditches and banks. The initial castle was of timber, but during the 13th century it was rebuilt in local red sandstone. It is this reddish colour that helps make your first view of Grosmont so striking.
Monmouth Castle was built between 1067-71 by William fitz Osbern, but its most famous moment in history came in 1387 (the exact date is uncertain), when the future Henry V was born here. A 12th century tower and 13th century great hall are the best surviving features, in addition to short sections of the castle walls. The castle was partially destroyed in 1647, and a residence known as Great Castle House was built on the site in 1672-3. Great Castle House is now home to Monmouthshire Royal Engineers, and there is a regimental museum.
Monmouth,
Gwent,
Wales, NP25 3BS
Attraction Type: Castle Location: In the centre of Monmouth, off the A40. Pedestrian access, well signposted. The castle is open access, but the regimental museum is only open at certain times.
The 14th century east front with towers is all that survives of this castle on the banks of the River Usk, mainly used for administrative purposes. The 14th century castle replaced an earlier castle built by Gilbert de Clare just over half a mile to the south west, near the current cathedral. That earlier fortification was swept away to make way for Isambard Kingdom Brunel's Great Western Railway in the 1840s.
Traditional home of the Somersets, Earls of Worcester, Raglan was one of the very last castles built in Britain, begun in 1435 by William ap Thomas. It is part castle, part palace, with far more attention to comfort than early castles. However, it was certainly built for defense as well, for it took one of the longest sieges of the Civil War to subdue it. Cromwell's engineers did their best to destroy the massive Great Tower, but failed. Look for the ornate window and huge fireplace in the hall.
Raglan,
Gwent,
Wales, NP5 2BT
Attraction Type: Castle Location: Off the A40 eastbound (no right turn westbound, proceed to the next roundabout and turn around)
