What castles are there in wales

It was one of Thomas's descendants who built the nearby mock Gothic mansion of Newton House, the castle keep being modified to be used as a summer house. Dolbadarn Castle, Llanberis, Gwynedd Owned by: Cadw One of three castles built by the Welsh prince Llywelyn the Great during the early 13th century to defend the major military routes through Snowdonia.

Used as a manor house for some years, the castle eventually fell into disrepair during the 18th century. Free and open access during restricted dates and times. The settlement was moved down the valley a little and appropriately renamed Newtown! By the late 14th century the castle had fallen into disrepair. Built from local stone, the construction work may not have not been completed before the castle was captured by the English King Edward I in , during his Conquest of Wales.

Its construction began in , on a site chosen for its strategic position, just one day's march from Chester and close to a ford back to England.

During the Welsh Wars the castle was besieged by the forces of Dafydd ap Gruffydd, brother of Llywelyn the Last, and later in Flint was attacked again during the revolt of Madog ap Llywelyn. During the English Civil War, Flint was held by the Royalists, but was captured by the Parliamentarians in following a three-month siege; the castle was slighted to prevent its reuse. Grosmont Castle, Grosmont, Gwent Owned by: Cadw The first earth and timber motte and bailey fortification was rebuilt in local red sandstone during the 13th century and enclosed by a high curtain wall with three stone towers.

In King Henry III granted the castle to his second son, Edmund Crouchback, who set about converting the fortress into a royal residence. Grosmont appears to have fallen into disuse after this, as by the early 16th century records indicate that it was abandoned.

During the Wars of the Roses, the castle was held by the Lancastrians for seven years, before Yorkist troops forced its surrender in The longest siege in British history is immortalised in the song Men of Harlech. Held for the king during the English Civil War, Harlech was the last castle to fall to Parliamentary forces in March Haverfordwest Castle, Pembrokeshire, Dyfed Owned by: Pembrokeshire National Park Authority The original earth and timber motte and bailey fortification was rebuilt in stone sometime before , when it withstood an attack by Llewelyn the Great, who had already burned the town.

In , Queen Eleanor the wife of Edward I acquired the castle and began rebuilding it as a royal residence. During the English Civil War the castle changed hands four times between the Royalists and Parliamentarians; Cromwell finally ordered the castle destroyed in Hawarden Old Castle, Hawarden, Clwyd Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument Replacing an earlier earth and timber motte and bailey Norman fortification, the current castle was rebuilt in stone during the 13th century.

During the Welsh struggle for independence, in Dafydd ap Gruffudd captured Hawarden in a coordinated attack on English castles in the area. Angered by such a challenge to his authority the English King Edward I, ordered Dafydd to be hanged, drawn, and quartered.

The castle was later seized during the revolt of Madog ap Llywelyn in After the English Civil War in the 17th century the castle was slighted in order to prevent its reuse.

Located on private land, occasionally open to the public on summertime Sundays. Constructed in the late 12th century by the powerful Norman Lord William de Braose, the castle was sacked by Llewelyn the Great, in , and rebuilt by Henry III who also added the town walls.

After this the castle gradually fell into the ruin we see today. Kenfig Castle, Mawdlam, Glamorgan Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument Built shortly after the Norman Conquest of England, the first earth and timber motte and bailey fortification was rebuilt in stone during the 12th century.

Between and Kenfig was sacked by the Welsh on at least six separate occasions. By the late 15th century the castle and town that had grown within its outer ward had been abandoned, as a consequence of encroaching sand dunes.

Kidwelly Castle, Kidwelly, Glamorgan Owned by: Cadw The early Norman earth and timber fortification was gradually rebuilt in stone from onwards, adopting the latest half-moon shaped castle design. Further defences were added and improved over the following years by the earls of Lancaster.

Relieved after just three weeks, the castle and town were rebuilt on the instructions of the English King Henry V. Perhaps familiar to some, Kidwelly appears as a location for the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Laugharne Castle, Kidwelly, Laugharne, Dyfed Owned by: Cadw Standing high on a clifftop setting overlooking the River Taf, the first small Norman earthwork fortification was rebuilt in stone during the late 12th century.

The castle was captured by Llywelyn the Great in his campaign across southern Wales in And again in , it suffered in another Welsh uprising when the powerful Norman noble Guy De Brian was captured at Laugharne by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd and the castle destroyed.

The de Brian family refortified Laugharne, adding the strong stone walls and towers we see today to counter the threat of the Owain Glyndwr rising in Following a weeklong siege during the 17th century English Civil War the castle was badly damaged, it was later slighted to prevent any further use and left as a romantic ruin.

Llanblethian Castle, Cowbridge, Glamorgan Owned by: Cadw Also known as St Quintins Castle, named after Herbert de St Quentin, who is thought to have built the first timber and earth fortification on the site around In , the castle and lands were acquired by the de Clare family, who started to build the stone structure which stands today. Gilbert de Clare met his end at the Battle of Bannockburn in and it is thought likely that the castle was never fully completed.

Llandovery Castle, Llandovery, Dyfed Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument The first Norman earth and timber motte and bailey fortification was started around and was almost immediately attacked and partially destroyed by Welsh forces under Gruffydd ap Rhys. The castle changed hands several times over the next century or so, finally falling to the English King Edward I in who refortified the defences. Llanilid Castle, Llanilid, Glamorgan Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument This well-preserved raised ringwork, or low circular mound, once protected a timber Norman fortification.

Probably built by the St Quintin family, lords of the manor until , the wooden palisades of the castle sat atop the summit of the mound protected by a surrounding ditch. There is no evidence to suggest that stone walls ever replaced the wooden structure. Llansteffan Castle, Llansteffan, Dyfed Owned by: Cadw Sited on a headland overlooking the mouth of the Tywi, the castle controlled an important river crossing. The first Norman earth and timber enclosure, or ringwork, was set within the ancient defences of an Iron Age fort.

Llantrisant Castle, Llantrisant, Glamorgan Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument Controlling a strategically important route into the valleys below, the original Norman fortification was rebuilt in stone around by Richard de Clare, lord of Glamorgan.

The remains of the castle tower now stand in parkland in the centre of town. This first earth and timber ringwork defence was totally rebuilt between and by Bishop Adam de Houghton. The palace had fallen from favour during the 15th century, and was in state of disrepair by the late 16th century.

Loughor Castle, Loughor, Glamorgan Owned by: Cadw Controlling a strategic crossing of the Gower Peninsula, the original Norman ringwork defences topped by a wooden palisade, were set within the former Roman fort of Leucarum. In the two centuries that followed, the castle was attacked in the Welsh uprising of , and later captured by the forces of Llywelyn the Great in The Norman noble John de Braose acquired the castle in and set about repairing and strengthening its stone defences.

Captured by Owain Gwynedd in , the castle changed hands several times in the troubled century that followed along the England and Wales border. Monmouth Castle, Monmouth, Gwent Owned by: Cadw Built in the late 11th century by William fitz Osbern, the castle was strengthened and added to in the centuries that followed.

During the English Civil War, Monmouth changed hands three times, finally falling to the Parliamentarians in The castle was subsequently slighted to prevent its reuse and a residence known as Great Castle House was built on the site in , which is now home to the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers museum. In the castle was surrendered to Parliamentary forces in the English Civil War, it was later slighted to prevent it being used again for military purposes. This land grab disagreement apparently turned violent and in King Edward I was forced to intervene in person, marching his forces into the area to settle the dispute between the warring earls.

After the final Welsh War in the late 13th century and due to its remote location, the castle was abandoned and left to ruin. Narbeth Castle, South Wales Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument The first Norman fortress on the site dates from , although the current stone structure was erected by Andrew Perrot in the 13th century.

Neath Castle, Neath, Glamorgan Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument Built to guard a crossing of the River Nedd, the Normans erected their first earth and timber ringwork fortification alongside a former Roman site in Subject to almost continuous raids by the Welsh, the castle was rebuilt in stone sometime in the early 13th century, possibly after being destroyed by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth in In the early 14th century the castle was again sacked, this time by the enemies of the then owner, the extremely unpopular lord of Glamorgan, Hugh le Despenser, favourite of Edward II.

It was the rebuilding work following this latest altercation that produced the grand gatehouse that we see today. Built by Robert fitz Martin, lord of Cemmaes, the castle was captured and Robert expelled during the Welsh rebellion of Lord Rhys appears to have had a rethink, when in he stormed the castle and turned it over to his son, Maelgwyn. After the final Welsh War in the late 13th century, the castle was abandoned and left to ruin.

These early timber defences were strengthened and rebuilt in stone around , in response to a Welsh uprising led by the Lord of Afon, Morgan ap Caradog. Owned by the Turberville family for many years, who had little use for it as their main seat was at nearby Coity Castle, it seems to have fallen out of use after this.

Between and , the castle changed hands three times during the Welsh revolt by Rhys ap Maredudd against English rule. After Rhys had been defeated and killed, Newcastle became crown property and its defences were extended and improved, including the addition of the impressive gatehouse.

A planned new town, or borough, was also established outside the castle walls. After surrendering to Parliamentarian forces during the English Civil War, the castle was blown up to make it indefensible, it quickly fell into disuse after this.

Fitz Martin had been ejected from the family home of Nevern Castle by his father-in-law, the Lord Rhys, and founded Newport to serve as the administrative centre for the district of Cemais. Captured and destroyed on at least two separate occasions by the Welsh, first by Llywelyn the Great, and later by Llywelyn the Last, the remains of the present castle date mostly from after this destruction.

The castle was partially restored and turned into a residence in , now under private ownership; viewing is from the surrounding area only. Newport Castle, Newport, Gwent Owned by: Cadw The present castle dates from the early 14th century, although the buildings belong to the later 14th and 15th centuries. The new castle was built by de Clare's brother in law, Hugh d'Audele, when Newport was made the administration centre for Wentloog. Built on the banks of the River Usk, the design allowed small boats to enter the castle through the gatehouse at high tide.

In ruins by the 17th century, the castle motte and the rest of the bailey have been built over. Currently closed for health and safety reasons. Ogmore Castle, Bridgend, Glamorgan Owned by: Cadw Built by William de Londres to guard a strategic crossing of the River Ewenny, the initial Norman earth and timber ringwork castle was quickly rebuilt in stone sometime after Adding to and refortifying over the intervening years, the Londres family held Ogmore until , when through marriage it became part of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Old Beaupre Castle Owned by: Cadw Perhaps more of a medieval fortified manor house than a castle, parts of Beaupre date from around Extensively remodelled during the Tudor period, first by Sir Rice Mansel, and later by members of the Basset family.

The Basset family crest can still be seen on panels within the porch. Beaupre fell out of use early in the 18th century, when the then owners, the Jones family moved to New Beaupre. Oystermouth Castle, The Mumbles, Glamorgan Owned by: Cityof Swansea council Founded by the Norman noble William de Londres around , the first castle on the site was a simple earth and timber ringwork fortification.

William had built several similar castles around the Gower in an attempt to secure control of the region for Henry Beaumont, Earl of Warwick.

Unsubdued, the castle was sacked by the Welsh in and William was forced to flee. Rebuilt again in stone soon afterwards, the castle changed hands several times between and , and by the Lords of Gower were living elsewhere.

The castle gradually declined in importance and after the Middle Ages fell into ruin. Pembroke Castle, Pembroke, Dyfed Owned by: Philipps family Set on a rocky promontory guarding the Cleddau Estuary, the first Norman castle on the site was an earth and timber motte and bailey type fortification. Built by Roger of Montgomery during the Norman invasion of Wales in , the castle withstood several Welsh attacks and sieges in the decades that followed.

In , Pembroke was acquired by the most famous knight of the times, William Marshal. The Earl Marshal immediately set about rebuilding the earth and timber fort into the grand medieval stone fortress that we see today. Penmark Castle, Penmark, Glamorgan Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument High above a deep ravine of the River Waycock, Gilbert de Umfraville constructed the first earth and timber motte and bailey fortification on the site in the 12th century. Later rebuilt in stone, the castle passed to Oliver de St John when he married the young heiress Elizabeth Umfraville, in the early 14th century.

Pennard Castle, Parkmill, Glamorgan Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument Originally built as a Norman ringwork type fortification with timber palisades on top of an earth mound, the castle was founded by Henry de Beaumont, earl of Warwick, after he was granted the Lordship of Gower in Subsequently rebuilt in local stone during the late 13thcentury, including a curtain wall surrounding a central courtyard with square tower.

Commanding views over Three Cliffs Bay, the blowing sands from below led to the abandonment of the castle around Penrice Castle, Penrice, Glamorgan Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument Built by the de Penrice family who were gifted the land on which the castle stands for their part in the in the 13th century Norman Conquest of Gower.

When the last de Penrice heiress married in , the castle and its lands passed to the Mansel family. Instead of the classic motte-and-bailey design with its central keep and outer stockade, Edwardian castles feature rings of walls and multiple towers that make them look as if they were lifted out of a fairytale. That storybook quality makes castles in Wales particularly attractive as family vacation destinations, but people of all ages are sure to find them enchanting.

Resting atop a headland jutting out into Tremaddog Bay, Criccieth Castle demonstrates the influence that King Edward I had on Welsh fortress construction. Built by Llywelyn the Great in the late 13th century, the design included many features of Edwardian castles, including an outer wall, outward-facing arrow slits and murder holes in passageways. The castle changed hands between the Welsh and English until the 15th century when it was burned during the last great Welsh rebellion.

Visitors to Criccieth can wander through the ruins and explore exhibits about the history of Welsh castles. Perched on a rocky limestone hill in the town of Llandeilo in Carmartenshire, Wales, Carreg Cennen Castle is prized for the views it offers as much as for its ancient history. The 12th-century Welsh structure was built by Rhys of Deheubarth and was rebuilt in the 13th century by John Giffard on behalf of Edward I.

Although much of the castle was destroyed during the Wars of Roses, the ruins are well worth a visit. Over the centuries, it has been transformed into a Norman keep, a medieval fortress and a Gothic residence. In the s, the third Marquess of Bute turned the structure into a fairytale-like castle in the Gothic Revival style. Today, the castle is operated by the city of Cardiff as a tourist attraction. Hundreds of castles have been built in Wales over the centuries.

The reasons why may seem obvious. Image source, Getty Images. Caerphilly is Britain's second biggest castle behind Windsor and is considered to have "the most elaborate water defences". Cardiff Castle has evolved from its medieval keep in the grounds.

The year-old Criccieth Castle is a native Welsh fortress on a headland between two beaches overlooking Tremadog Bay in north Wales.

But what exactly constitutes a castle? Again the answer is not straightforward. Giant '13th Century catapult stone' discovered Castle could become private home Stolen castle stones for sale on eBay. Castell Coch- Welsh for red castle - is a 19th-century Gothic Revival fortress a few miles north of Cardiff.

But what does Prof Power think are the most unusual? Unesco considers the World Heritage site of Beaumaris Castle to be one of 'Europe's finest examples of late 13th Century and early 14th Century military architecture'.

Image source, Hulton Archive. The entrance to Beaumaris Castle, from the midth Century. Why were some castles blown up? The remains of Dinas Bran medieval castle is on a hilltop above Llangollen in Denbighshire. When did they become visitor attractions? William Daniell's painting of Conwy Castle from