Skenfrith Castle

Mid Wales

10 Oct

Quick Info

Region: Marches
Built: Early 12th Century by Norman Lord William Fitz Osbern
In the Care of: CADW
Parking: Small Amount of Free Parking Available
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Admission: Free
Postcode: NP7 8UH

Opening Times

10am - 4pm Daily

“Entering the castle from the carpark you walk up some steps that lead into the castle ground. The first thing to strike you is the round tower that sits in the centre. ”

— Castle Crawl Cymru

History

A castle was first founded on this site in the early 12th century by Norman Lord William Fitz Osbern who had control of the Marches in that area in the 12th century. The castle at that time was a wooden Motte & Bailey, the stone keep that you see today is a later fortress constructed by Hubert De Burgh.

Hubert De Burgh spent his career working for the Norman monarchy, being the trusted advisor to Kings John I and Henry III and his service earned him many castles in Wales, England and France, including the three castles; Skenfrith, Grosmonth and White Castle, granted to him from John I. The castles were taken off of Hubert by the Kings three times throughout his tenancy, testament to the turbulence of medieval court. His second tenancy from 1219 is when he began to rebuild the castle in stone. Eventually in 1239 the three castles were taken from Hubert permanently by King Henry III.

What Can You See?

Entering the castle from the carpark you walk up some steps that lead into the castle ground. The first thing to strike you is the round tower that sits in the centre. This architecture is influenced by the castles that Hubert De Burgh saw during his time in France and later examples of them can be seen at Tretower and Bronllys Castle.

Another interesting feature of this castle the water gate door that takes you straight through the curtain wall to the river Monnow. The low lying position of the castle may have had its drawbacks strategically, but it’s location so close to key crossing points on the river provided practical advantages of transport of people, food and supplies.

‘In 2003, repairs to the riverbank upstream uncovered the remains of substantial walls belonging to a large medieval wharf. the length and depth of the walls were great enough to allow large barges to moor up and be unloaded. This means that todays shallow river was deeper in medieval times and easily navigable. The walls have been reburied and only a small fragment of them are visible today.’ CADW