Castle number one - Dolforwyn Castle
2nd of June 2023
Today we decided to check out some places of interest that was on a wonderful map I picked up in Caernarfon castle. Produced by the Wales Heritage Association, Cadw, It was very helpful with site maps for both North and south Wales. We planned a trip that included some free admission places that had us going across Wales into areas we could also find places to park up.
The first one was on top of a hill, Dolforwyn Castle a Welsh medieval castle above the village of Abermule, Powys. The fortification was established by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Gwynedd in the late 13th century. It is sited on a wooded ridge commanding excellent views of the upper Severn Valley. A ruined symbol of Welsh defiance. Ewout got out the “angry wasp” as he likes to call the drone now. The train driver on the Snowdon railway used this term and we thought it suited it.
We set off not knowing what the parking would be like, I had researched it and google earthed it, but past experience has taught us never to assume all will be easy. We took the main road and turned off on a smaller road then what seemed like an even narrower road hedged by trees and bushes. Arriving at the small car-park, there was only one other car and we were pleased so see that it was quite wide so we could back in and not take up too much space. Locking up our valuables in our safe ( yes we have a place to put our things, gives us a sense of confidence when we leave the van) we lock up the van and go and find the entrance to the site. Finding a gate, and a steep path (that also serves the other residences on the hill) we trudge up the hill to find an amazing ruin with wonderful views over the surrounding countryside.
(Dolforwyn Castle was besieged by English forces under the command of Roger Mortimer, Earl of March at the end of March 1277. During the fighting, the English used siege engines brought by Sheriff of Hereford, probably trebuchets, because during excavations more than 50 stone missiles and damaged corners of the castle keep were found. However despite the fireing, the lack of water supply decided about the capitulation. The garrison of the castle, not seeing hope for relief, gave up at the beginning of April 1277.
Damaged during the fighting, one year after being captured Dolforwyn was awarded to Roger Mortimer. He ordered the building master Bertram to make repairs and make many modifications, including digging a well, the lack of which proved to be crucial during the last siege.) Info. from website. Medieval heritage Wales.
Below is the video of our visit to the Dolforwyn Castle.
Castle number two - Montgomery Castle
Our next destination was the Town of Montgomery and the castle particularly. Again, google earth and maps had made our destination a bit of a mystery regarding parking, but as it was still early we decided to chance it.. Our navigation app (Osmand+) took us through the small streets and up the hill where we followed the “castle parking signs”. As luck would have it there was only one other car there so we quickly backed up into position, front face out so for an easy exit should it get busy. We were very pleased to see it was still quiet, and had most of the place to ourselves for a short time, so Ewout got out the “angry wasp” and did a fly around to get some footage from the sky again.
Montgomery is one of those castles that, even in ruin, retain a powerful atmosphere and presence that transcend its state of preservation. Perhaps it’s something to do with its location, on a steep crag above a pretty Georgian town with all-seeing views across the Welsh border.
Commenced around 1223 on the orders of Henry III in response to the growing power of Welsh native prince Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great), Montgomery’s stone castle replaced a nearby wooden fort known as Hen Domen. Perched on its rocky ridge, this new fortress was significantly sturdier and more sophisticated, with a stone inner ward, well, deep defensive ditches crossed by drawbridges and walled town.
The castle remained in use for centuries, surviving attacks by Llywelyn in 1228 and 1231 and Llywelyn’s son Dafydd in 1245. The castle’s ultimate end came during the Civil War, when it fell to the Parliamentarians and was demolished in 1649, leaving just the crumbling towers and low walls that stand today.
Information thanks to Cadw.
Sent up the Angry Wasp to have an aerial view of the ruins
Montgomery - where morning tea turned into lunch
After our castle ramble it was time to explore the town of Montgomery. 1 mile from the English border is has a big history with Iron Age Celts, the Romans, the Saxons, the Normans, the English Civil War and many other historical forces all left their mark here.
From first impression on our drive through it looked like an interesting town, a small central plaza overlooked by an imposing town hall and surrounded by a mix of Georgian, Victorian and timber framed buildings. We had headed out of town disappointed we couldn’t find a park only to find a parking area just on the outskirts with room for our beast. We quickly decided we would park and go to explore the town. Our walk took us past some very interesting buildings and we even ventured inside its quaint general store. It was something out of the pages of an old country story, crammed full of all sorts of things, hardware, gifts, nick knacks, tools, souvenirs, sewing requirements all you could need if you could’t get to a bigger town. Probably had a kitchen sink tucked away somewhere. after our bit of a ramble we decided on a coffee and found a lovely little tea room that had a garden patio out back. We took advantage of the lovely day and sat outside under an umbrella and ordered our repast. This took a while to come so Ewout decided to make it our lunch and as welsh rarebit was on the menu he was intrigued and decided to order one between us to try. We decided it was very nice.
Lunch, refreshment done we got back on the road to our next “castle”.
Is this the door of the day ? or is it the one futher below?
Castle number three - Bronllys Castle
Bronllys castle.
Our next destination a small tower surrounded by a small wood. The parking was a layby on the side of the road across the way. We were the only ones there, we entered the area even though it was supposed to be shut, we went in anyway and climbed the steel steps to the tower and apart from the that there was little to see.
Bronllys Castle near Talgarth is a sturdy stone tower with a turbulent history. It was first built as a ‘motte-and-bailey’ castle in the late 11th or early 12th century and the site is thought to occupy a pre-Norman princely court or llys, sited above the floodplain of Afon Llynfi.
In the mid 12th century, Walter de Clifford founded the stone castle and in the 13th century, a two storey round keep with a vaulted basement incorporated this tower.
The castle was repaired in the early 15th century in response to the Welsh uprising led by Owain Glyndŵr before falling into ruin. Alongside the tower, remnants of walls and the deep fosse (or dry moat) can still be seen.
The surviving stone tower dates from the 13th century and you can still climb the tower.
Information courtesy of Visit Mid Wales.
The Angry Wasp was busy today as this was it's third castle.
Castle number four
We had only planned on seeing three castles today but fate had other plans. Jenny had selected Hay-on-Wye as our stopover, the town is the literary heart of Wales with many bookshops, unfortunately for us they were having their yearly literary festival as we discovered when getting closer to the town. Back on the App and we settled for a town further on called Crickhowell. The place had a car park near to town which allowed motorhomes to stay overnight. After a walk through the town down to the river we stopped at the Dragon Inn for tea in their lovely rear garden. On the way home we spotted the ruins of the Crickhowell Castle. Not much remains of the castle and it was not worth going back to get the Angry Wasp for an overhead view. As you can see it was a busy day and it was back to the Bunyip for a quiet night.
This one or the one above ?
Crickhowell Castle
Thank you for reading our blog post. If you are not already subscribed click on the SUBSCRIBE button. If you would like to send us a personal message click the CONTACT US button. If you want to comment on this blog post go the the bottom of the page and leave a message in the comment box. To read more of our blogs and explore our site click on the VISIT OUR HOME PAGE button . Cheers Jenny and Ewout
