Bronllys Castle

Bronllys Castle is one of many Norman castles that make up the Marches; the
border between Wales and England. It is free to access and open every day. This castle was originally built in the late 12th Century, when it would have started as a wooden keep built on a bailey put in place by Norman Robert Fitz Pons. One of the earliest records of the castle comes from Gerald of Wales who records a fire at the castle killing knight Mahel, Earl of Hereford in 1165.

The structure was changed to stone in the 13th century by Walter de Clifford, the remains of which you can see today. It is imposing even now, nearly 1000 years after its building. What is now visible is one tall stone tower upon a large motte.The tower spans 3 stories that you can climb up, at the top of the structure you can see far reaching views which show the strategic positioning in the Black Mountains at this ancient capital of Brycheiniog.

In terms of accessibility, there is a ramp from the pavement to the bottom of the castle. However, there are extensive steps leading up to the castle entrance, so it isn’t possible to access the castle in a wheelchair or with a pushchair. It is a lovely stop off if you’re already inTalgarth or Bronllys or just passing through. People have often been known to enjoy a picnic at the foot of the castle, making the most of its peaceful surroundings.

Article written by Castle Crawl Cymru