White Castle
Quick Info
Region: Marches
Built: 1066
In the Care of: CADW
Parking: Limited parking beside castle with optional payment
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Admission: Free
Postcode: NP7 8UD
Opening Times
10am - 4pm
“One of the wildest castles of the Welsh Marches. It’s structure was dramatically changed in the mid-13th century in response to the threat of Llewellyn Ap Gruffydd.”
History
White Castle is the largest of the castles that make up the trio known as ‘the three castles’ (Skenfrith Castle and Grosmonth Castle are the other two), originally built by Norman Lords in around 1066 to control the Southern border of the Marches. Originally built as a wooden motte and bailey, the castle was gifted to Hubert De Burgh in 1201 by King John I. White castle is the furthest from the Wales - England border and it bordered land own and run by Welsh Lords. The more vulnerable position of the castle meant that Hubert De Burgh quickly began to rebuild it in stone soon after it was gifted to him.
What Can You See?
Walking towards the castle through the iron gates you access the outer ward first over a small bridge. This is an impressive space, the size of a large football pitch. It has picnic benches and a beautiful view of the castle ruins over the steep moat that it still filled with water. Cast your mind back and try to imagine this space hosting a medieval army, several thousand strong! The threat of Llewelyn Ap Gruffydd, Prince of Wales in the 1260s required a garrison and so the outer ward and sophisticated gatehouse was added.
Speaking of the gatehouse… A huge drawbridge once leaned over the deep moat between the tall round towers. You can walk along the bridge now (Although it isn’t a drawbridge) and move into the older, inner ward of the castle. Inside the inner ward you can find the remains of a chapel, well and multiple towers too.
Look out for the arrow loops that are still present in the wall towers!
Accessibility
The castle is a short walk from the carpark on a flat tarmac pavement. Over the wooden bridge you access the outer ward which is grass. The floor changes again when you walk over the wooden drawbridge over the moat and into the castle keep. There are some areas that have steps down so may not be accessible, but overall it is a level site.
Sources
CADW
Jenkins. Simon. (2008). Wales Churches, Houses, Castles. London: Penguin Books. Page 181.
Davis, Paul. (2011). Forgotten Castles of Wales and the Marches. Eardisley: Logaston Press.
