Castell Dinas

Mid Wales

7 Dec

Quick Info

Region: Blaenllynfi
Built: 1200s or earlier
In the Care of: N/A
Free Parking: Paid for parking at pub ‘The Dinas Inn’
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Admission: Free
Postcode: LD3 0EL

Opening Times

Castle is on a public footpath, open 24/7

“Castell Dinas is one of my favourite castles. Despite the fact there really isn’t much masonry to see (and what you can see is stone that has crumbled into heaps of rubble), the hill that the castle sits upon itself is so recognisable.”

— Castle Crawl Cymru

History

Castell Dinas, formerly known as the Bwlchyddinas (pass of the citadel) is estimated to have been built around or before 1200. The fortification had stood for centuries, as the castle actually stood on an Iron Age hill fort which was once used by the celts. The location clearly had military benefits, the steep sided hill sits in a gap in the Black Mountains which meant that traffic passing between the Wye and Usk valleys could be controlled.

It is the highest situated castle in all of Wales and England. This fact obviously made it a favourable spot for a military post, however it wasn’t a comfortable living space, at the top of a hill in a gap between mountains, it was (and still is) consistently windy and rainy. Apparently it was quickly abandoned when it was no longer needed for military defence.

in 1233 King Llewelyn the Great Breconshire and reportedly destroyed Castell Dinas in the process. But the castle was back up and running before the end of the year.

It was in the fourteenth century that the castle began to fall into disrepair, and Paul R. Davis quotes a survey that was carried out by the crown in January 1337 saying ‘the outer gate with a mantlet [a defensive wall or barbican]… so weak and ruinous that they must be newly built’ (Paul R Davis, 2011).

No one is sure what became of Dinas Castle for it to fall completely to ruin today, but it was documented to have become more of a cattle ranch than a respectable stronghold by the late fourteenth century and it is assumed that the castle was destroyed by locals so as not to fall into the hands of Owain Glyndwr.

What Can You See?

Castell Dinas is one of my favourite castles. Despite the fact there really isn’t much masonry to see (and what you can see is stone that has crumbled into heaps of rubble), the hill that the castle sits upon itself is so recognisable. Still, thousands of years on it is a very blatant Celtic fort, even a layman like myself can see that. And the fact that you can still discern some masonry at the very summit makes the small hill feel truly ancient. There isn’t a lot to see other than landscape and beautiful views; if you have a gaggle of children to entertain for the day, this probably wouldn’t be the castle that I’d recommend.

Accessibility

This castle is not accessible for people who are less mobile, or unfit because it requires you to walk up a steep hill and over uneven ground to reach it. It is one of the more remote castles.