Wales
Wye Valley and Vale of Usk

Castles

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Abergavenny Castle
in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
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.

Caerleon Castle
Caerleon, near Newport
A Norman motte and bailey castle of 1085 vintage. Only the ruins of one 13th century tower stand, though there were likely at least four towers in the past. Caerleon is most famous as one of the rumoured locations of King Arthur's Camelot.

Caerwent Castle
In the town of Caerwent, off A48 between Newport and Chepstow. Cadw. Open site.
Norman motte built on site of Roman fort.

Caldicot Castle
Church Road, Caldicot, Newport, Gwent NP6 4HU Tel: +44 (0)1291 420 241 Fax: +44 (0)1291 435 094
More than one castle calls Caldicot home. The earliest, now lost, was erected in Saxon times. On the site of that earlier fortress the Norman's 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. In the mid 14th century a great hall was added (now sadly almost entirely disappeared). The impressive Great Gatehouse was added by Thomas Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester, around 1390.

The castle passed through many owners until the antiquarian JR Cobb aquired it in 1855. Cobb restored Caldicot to its medieval grandeur, and today it is one of Wales' heritage treasures. The buildings sit in the midst of 55 acres of landscaped parkland, and visitors can enjoy a regular program medieval banquet evenings.

Dinas Powys
In Dinas Powys, Glamorgan
There are remains of earthwork fortifications at Dinas Powys dating as far back as the Iron Age. A bank and ditch were erected in the post-Roman period, and a more extensive bank was shored up with stone in the 11th century to create a defensible position for a timber and earth fortress. Still more earthworks were added in the 12th or 13th century.

Grosmont Castle
In the village of Grosmont, B4347. Cadw. Open site.
Access to the castle is via a wooden bridge-the 14th century drawbridge no longer remains-over the empty moat. A ruined gatehouse and curtain wall partially survive along with the remains of a two-storey rectangular hall block and Gothic chimney pot. Henry III came to Grosmont in 1233 to quell a Welsh rebellion. Henry V (before he was crowned king) made use of the castle when stamping out the Glyndwr rebellion in 1405.

Monmouth Castle
In the town of Monmouth off the A40. Cadw. Exterior views only from parade ground.
Established by William fitz Osbern. A 12th century hall/keep or tower and a Great Castle House built in 1673 that is now home to Monmouthshire Royal Engineer's. Castle walls still stand.

Raglan Castle
in Raglan, Gwent, Tel. 0291 690228
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 thew 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.

Skenfrith Castle
On the B4521 at Skenfrith on the Welsh side of the Monnow River. Cadw. Open site.
The remains-a defensive ditch and walls of the keep-of the original castle, on which the 13th stone one was built, were discovered during excavations. What we see now was built by Hubert de Burgh, who had ambitions to be an important marcher lord. The most noticeable feature of the castle is the circular keep, where the living quarters were located, in the middle of the rectangular ward. Remains include signs of a fireplace, windows, corbels, and a garderobe. Only basement levels of other living quarters survive.

Tretower Castle
In Tretower village, off A479, five miles northwest of Crickhowell. Cadw. Tel. 01874 730279.
Ruined castle with 13th century round keep shares the grounds with a medieval mansion. (See also Tretower Court)

Usk Castle
Overlooks town of Usk, Monmouthshire, on A472. On a lane along Raglan Rd. Private ownership, admission by appointment or some open days.
This castle was built by the Norman lord, William Marshall on the site of an earthwork defence. 12th century square stone keep, round tower and parts of curtain wall survive. The 14th century gatehouse is part of a 17th century private home.

White Castle
Seven miles east of Abergavenny, on low hill, one mile from Llantilio Crossenny, B4233. Cadw. Tel. 01600 780380.
Pear-shaped and secluded, 12th century White Castle, originally named Llantilio Castle was a moated castle. Thought to be the work of Henry II, but remodelling occurred in the latter part of the 13th century. The outer bailey defenses are largely intact. The north side curtain wall connects the six round towers, two of which form a gatehouse. There is a large walled inner ward with towers. A wooden bridge leads over the waterfilled moat.

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Photo Credits - Cardiff Castle courtesy Wales Tourist Board, Caerphilly Castle © Barbara Ballard