Castell Dinas

Castell Dinas is the ruin of an Iron Age hillfort and a medieval castle in southern Powys, Wales. Perched at about 450 metres above sea level, it is regarded as the highest castle in England and Wales. What you find today is mostly grassy earthworks, scattered stonework and wide views that reward the climb.

Where is Castell Dinas?

The hill rises a few miles south of the town of Talgarth, on the edge of the Black Mountains within the Brecon Beacons area. The position was chosen for a reason: the stronghold guarded the Rhiangoll pass between Talgarth and Crickhowell. Whoever held it could watch, and control, movement between the valleys.

What is the history of Castell Dinas?

The oldest layer is the Iron Age hillfort. Published accounts place its origins around 600 BC, and it was in use for several centuries. Its builders ringed the summit with an oval system of banks and ditches, and these earthworks are what survive best today.

In the Norman period a castle with stone walls was raised on top of the old ramparts. Most accounts point to the 1070s and a link with the powerful lords of Hereford, although sources disagree, and some place the stone castle later, in the twelfth century. Its prime was fairly short. Once a larger and far more accessible castle was built at Brecon, the lofty fortress began to lose its importance.

During the thirteenth century the castle changed hands repeatedly in the wars between the Welsh princes and the English crown. In 1233 Llywelyn ab Iorwerth captured and sacked it; King Henry III then had it refortified before it went back to its former owner. Another Welsh ruler, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, took it again in the 1260s. The final blow came in the early fifteenth century, when followers of Owain Glyndŵr destroyed it during the Welsh revolt. It was never rebuilt.

What can you see at the site?

There are no gates, ticket booths or visitor displays. What remains is:

• extensive banks and ditches from the original hillfort,
• fragments of walling and traces of the castle ditches,
• a sweeping panorama over the surrounding valleys and hills.

The site is a Scheduled Monument, so damaging the remains or digging is prohibited. The ruins are not fenced off, so watch your step on uneven ground and near edges.

How to visit Castell Dinas

This is a place for hill walkers. Paths cross open ground that can be muddy and windswept, and weather at this height changes quickly. Wear sturdy boots and carry a windproof layer. A clear day gives the best experience, when you can follow the valleys from the ramparts out to distant ridges.

Many visitors combine the climb with a longer circular walk in the Black Mountains, or with a stop in Talgarth or Crickhowell, where food and accommodation are easy to find.

Frequently asked questions

Is Castell Dinas a castle or a hillfort? Both. An Iron Age hillfort came first, and a Norman castle was later built on its ramparts.

Is it really the highest castle in England and Wales? That is the usual claim: at roughly 450 metres it holds the title.

Why did the castle fall into ruin? It lost importance after the easier-to-reach castle at Brecon was built, and was finally destroyed in the early fifteenth century during the Glyndŵr rising.

Do I need a ticket? There are no gates or guided entry, but check current access arrangements before you travel.

Who will enjoy it most? History and archaeology fans and walkers who like stark, open landscapes.