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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.
CASTLES
OF WALES
Anglesey & Snowdonia
| North Wales & Borders
| Mid Wales & Brecon Beacons
| Ceredigion | Pembrokeshire
| Carmarthenshire
| Swansea & Gower
| Cardiff and South Wales
Coast | Wye Valley & Vale
of Usk
WALES
TRAVEL GUIDE
ATTRACTIONS
IN WALES BY REGION
Map of Regions
Anglesey and Snowdonia | North
Wales Coast and Borderlands | Mid
Wales and Brecon Beacons | Ceredigion
| Pembrokeshire | Carmarthenshire
| Swansea, Gower and the Vale of
Neath | Cardiff, Coast, &
Valleys of South Wales | Wye Valley
and Vale of Usk
ATTRACTIONS
IN WALES BY TYPE
OF ATTRACTION
Abbeys & Monasteries
| Ancient Sites | Castles
| Gardens | Historic
Churches & Religious Sites | Historic
Houses | Museums | Roman
Remains
Virtual
Tour of Wales
Photo Credits - Cardiff Castle courtesy Wales Tourist Board, Caerphilly
Castle © Barbara
Ballard
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