Monuments in the United Kingdom

Crevenish Castle

Kesh

Crevenish Castle Crevenish Castle is a ruined tower house with an attached bawn on the shore of Lower Lough Erne, in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It stands about 3 km south-west of the village of Kesh and is a typical relic of the Plantation of Ulster. What is Crevenish Castle? The castle is a fortified residence from the early 17th century, built in the period when English and Scottish settlers received confiscated Irish land in Ulster. A bawn is a walled enclosure that surrounded such a house and gave shelter to people and livestock. Today the building is a ruin, but it is still one of the recognisable landmarks of this part of Fermanagh. Who built it and when? The castle is credited to Thomas Blennerhasset, an English planter from Norfolk, who built it around 1618. It was first known as Castle Hassett. Blennerhasset managed to establish a small settlement of English families nearby, which was far from easy, as attracting settlers to the Plantation lands was a common difficulty. What happened to it later? After Thomas, the estate passed to his son Sir Leonard Blennerhasset, who died in 1639. During the rising of 1641 the castle came into the hands of the Maguires: Leonard's widow Deborah married Rory Maguire, one of the leaders of the rebellion in Fermanagh. The property later returned to the Blennerhassett family. By 1697 the house was reported to be ruinous, and it was never restored. What can you see today? Roughly two and a half storeys of the walls still stand. The remains include a square tower and windows with narrow loopholes, which show that defence mattered as much as comfort. In the grounds are the tombstones of the Blennerhassett family. Archaeologists have also recorded a limekiln at the site, probably contemporary with the nearby early 17th-century bawn and church. Can you visit? The castle is privately owned. It is best admired from the outside and from the surrounding public paths and roads, and visitors should respect the property and not climb on the walls. The ruin sits at grid reference H165626 (about 54.512, -7.745), which makes it easy to find on a map. Is it worth a stop? Yes, if you are in the Lough Erne area and enjoy history. Crevenish combines a lakeside setting with a story about planters, rebellion and decline. It pairs naturally with a visit to Kesh and other Plantation-era sites in County Fermanagh. Frequently asked questions Where is Crevenish Castle? In County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, around 3 km south-west of Kesh on the shore of Lower Lough Erne. Who built Crevenish Castle? Thomas Blennerhasset, an English planter, around 1618. Can I go inside? No public access is arranged; the castle is privately owned. Is it a ruin? Yes. It was already described as ruinous in 1697, and about two and a half storeys survive.

Sisters House

Sisters House is a ruined complex of former gentry buildings near the village of Martletwy in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales. Hidden in woodland, it is one of the region's more enigmatic historic sites and is protected as a scheduled monument. What is Sisters House? The site has sometimes been described as a "bastle house", a fortified house type usually associated with northern England. Specialists regard that label as doubtful. Today what remains is a large, badly ruined group of buildings, overgrown with trees and undergrowth. Where does the name come from? The name is popularly linked to a medieval pilgrim hospice or a nunnery. Those stories are unproven. An earlier record from 1546 gives the form "Systerne House". Nothing in the complex can be dated with certainty to the medieval period. History The buildings date from the 16th century. Sources credit Roger Barlow with building it as a gentry house on land obtained from the Crown after the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The Barlows stopped using it after 1700. It was then leased as a farm, fell increasingly into disrepair, and was ruinous by the early 19th century. What can you see? A recent survey by the Dyfed Archaeological Trust identified 13 buildings within enclosures. They include the remains of the former mansion, a large barn, a walled garden and water features. Heritage records also describe a series of recesses in a wall identified as bee boles, where beehives were kept. The whole site lies in woodland, so the ruins are partly overgrown and the ground can be uneven. Frequently asked questions Where is Sisters House? Near Martletwy in Pembrokeshire, Wales, at roughly 51.786 N, 4.854 W. Was it a nunnery? A nunnery or pilgrim hospice is the popular tale, but it is unproven. The buildings are the remains of a 16th-century gentry residence. Can you go into the ruins? It is a protected monument, and the ruins are unstable and set in woodland. Take care, do not climb on the walls, and check that your route follows legitimate paths. Why visit? It suits anyone who enjoys ruins, local history and quiet places off the beaten track. Nearby Landshipping is known for the well-preserved earthworks of a 17th-century formal garden.

Lochmaben Stone

Gretna

Lochmaben Stone is a lone megalith standing on the shore of the Solway Firth in Dumfries and Galloway, southern Scotland. The boulder rises by the mouth of the Kirtle Water, close to the town of Gretna and the border with England. It is a place where prehistory meets the story of the Anglo-Scottish frontier. What is the Lochmaben Stone? The stone is a large granite boulder about two metres tall. Together with a smaller stone, it is all that survives of a stone circle that, by one estimate, was built around 3275 BC. Other accounts suggest a later date, so the age of the circle is best treated as approximate. Either way, the site clearly has Neolithic roots and is older than many better-known monuments in Britain. Where does the name come from? The name has been spelled in many ways over the centuries. A form, Clochmabenstane, is recorded as early as 1398. Scholars have linked it to the Brittonic god Mabon, as well as to the nearby place name Lochmaben. There is also a suggestion that the stone may be the "pillar" behind the name of the Solway Firth itself. Why did the stone matter in the Middle Ages? The stone stood on an old route across the Solway towards Burgh-by-Sands in England, and it lies not far from the mouth of the River Sark. Its position on the border made it a natural meeting point. In 1398 the Duke of Rothesay and John of Gaunt met here to arrange an exchange of prisoners. In the 16th century it was often the place where Scottish and English wardens of the marches gathered to settle legal matters and disputes. Nearby, the Battle of Sark was fought in 1448. What can you see there? You will see the boulder and the smaller stone beside it. There is little in the way of facilities, so this is better as a short stop than an all-day destination. It combines well with a visit to Gretna and the surrounding Solway Firth coast, where the view opens across the shore and the water of the firth. Frequently asked questions Where is the Lochmaben Stone? On the shore of the Solway Firth, at the mouth of the Kirtle Water, near Gretna in Dumfries and Galloway. How old is it? The circle it belonged to is dated by one estimate to around 3275 BC. Other sources give later dates. Is it a complete stone circle? No. Only two stones remain: the large boulder and a smaller one beside it. What was it used for in medieval times? It served as a meeting place for Scottish and English border officials and wardens, and as the site of a prisoner exchange in 1398. Is there an entrance fee? We found no information about fees. Check current access to the site before you visit.

World War I acoustic mirror 335m north east of Kilnsea Grange

The World War I acoustic mirror near Kilnsea Grange is a concrete relic of early air defence, standing in a field on the Yorkshire coast close to Kilnsea, where the land narrows towards Spurn Head. It is protected as a scheduled monument. What is an acoustic mirror? Before radar existed, the only way to detect an aircraft or airship at a distance was by ear. Engineers therefore built large concave structures, often called sound mirrors, that gathered distant engine noise and focused it on one point. A microphone placed at that focus was connected to headphones, and a trained listener could pick up the faint drone of an approaching machine well before it came into view. The Kilnsea example is one of several concrete mirrors built along the north-east coast of England during the First World War. It is generally thought to date from 1918. A shallow dish, roughly 15 feet (about 4.5 metres) across, is formed in the concrete on the side facing the sea. Why was it built here? The mirror faces due east, out over the North Sea. Its position was chosen to watch the northern approaches to the Humber estuary and, beyond it, the port of Hull. Hull was an important industrial and shipping centre and had been hit by Zeppelin raids between 1915 and 1917, which killed 52 people. Early warning of raiders was a pressing concern for the local population and for the military. Why does it matter today? Sound mirrors were overtaken quickly by faster aircraft. By the time a plane had been located by ear, it was often already in sight, which limited the usefulness of the technique. Radar replaced it during the following decades. Historic England records this site as one of only four known surviving mirrors of this kind in the north-east of England. It is also described as the only known example in the country that still has its sounding column, the part where the listener was positioned. That makes it a rare and informative piece of military and technological heritage. Visiting The mirror lies in a field north of Kilnsea, so it is best seen from the surrounding paths and lanes. Take care not to climb on the structure, as it is a protected monument. The area suits a walk combined with birdwatching, since the Spurn peninsula and the Humber estuary are well known for migrating birds. Wear sturdy footwear, bring layers, and expect an exposed coastal landscape where the wind can be strong. Frequently asked questions When was the Kilnsea acoustic mirror built? It is thought to have been built in 1918, during the final year of the First World War. What was it used for? It was an early-warning device, used to detect the sound of approaching enemy aircraft and airships over the sea. Is it protected? Yes. It is a scheduled monument listed by Historic England. What makes it unusual? It is one of only four known survivors in the north-east of England, and the only one in the country known to retain its sounding column. Where is it? In a field north of Kilnsea, in the Easington area of the East Riding of Yorkshire, near the landward end of Spurn Head.

Duddon furnace

Duddon furnace is one of the best-preserved charcoal-fuelled blast furnaces in England, standing on the west bank of the River Duddon in the Lake District county of Cumbria. It lies near Broughton-in-Furness, in the parish of Millom Without, an area that belonged to the historic county of Cumberland. Today it is a protected industrial monument, listed at Grade II*, and a rare chance to see how iron was made before coal and coke took over. What is Duddon furnace? It is a blast furnace built to smelt iron ore using charcoal as fuel. This was the standard method in Britain for centuries, until coke-fired furnaces made charcoal ironmaking uneconomic. Very few charcoal furnaces survive in anything like complete form, which is why this site matters well beyond the valley. When was it built and who ran it? The furnace was founded in 1736 as a joint venture between two ironmaking concerns of the Furness region, the Cunsey company and the Backbarrow company. In 1741 the Backbarrow company sold its share to the Cunsey company, which then held the works. The location was chosen for practical reasons: woodland nearby for charcoal, running water for power, and access to the estuary for shipping. What can you see on site? The complex was laid out as a working industrial unit, and its main elements are still recognisable: stores for charcoal and for iron ore, a wheelhouse, where a waterwheel drove the machinery, the furnace itself, a blowing house, which supplied the air blast, a casting house, where molten iron was run into pig iron, an office and a slag heap. Apart from one extra charcoal store added later, the buildings have changed very little since the furnace was first built. That makes it easy to follow the production sequence from raw materials to finished pig iron simply by walking around the site. Where did the iron go? The pig iron produced here was shipped out from the Duddon Estuary. Vessels carried it to ports such as Bristol and Chepstow, where it served the shipbuilding trade and other industries. Has it been studied? Archaeologists investigated the site in the 1980s. Only interim reports from that work have been published, so some details of the furnace's operation are still not fully documented. Practical tips for visitors The furnace sits in a quiet, wooded part of the southern Lake District, close to the Duddon valley, so it combines well with a walk along the river. Wear sturdy footwear, as paths in the area can be muddy. Respect the monument: do not climb on the walls, which are old and fragile. Check locally for current access arrangements before setting out. Frequently asked questions Is Duddon furnace still in use? No. It is a preserved historic structure, not a working furnace. What fuel did it use? Charcoal, made from wood, rather than coal or coke. Is it the same as Furnace ironworks in Scotland? No. The Scottish Furnace ironworks in Argyll is a separate site, founded later by a company from Cumbria. Why is it protected? Because it is a rare and largely unaltered example of an early industrial charcoal blast furnace, hence its Grade II* listing.

Ynyscedwyn Ironworks

Ystradgynlais

Ynyscedwyn Ironworks is a former ironworks in Ystradgynlais, a town in Powys, South Wales, not far from Swansea. It earned its place in industrial history as the site where anthracite was successfully used in a blast furnace, a step that marked the start of a new chapter in ironmaking. What was Ynyscedwyn Ironworks? It was a sizeable industrial complex in the upper Tawe valley. Iron had been smelted here since the seventeenth century, and over time the works grew into one of the more important ironworks in the region. Today it no longer operates, and Wikidata describes it as a former ironworks in Ystradgynlais. What is the history of the ironworks? The first furnaces appeared on the site in the seventeenth century, and for a long time production stayed local in scale. The turning point came in the 1820s, when George Crane took over the works. The new owner expanded production and looked for a way to use the fuel found nearby. The area around Ystradgynlais sits on anthracite deposits, a hard, carbon-rich coal that was difficult to use in a blast furnace. Crane was the first ironmaster to use anthracite successfully in a blast furnace, in 1837. His works manager David Thomas helped by applying the hot-blast method. This allowed cheap local fuel to replace more expensive alternatives. Crane died in 1846, when the works had seven furnaces. Why does it matter? The anthracite method spread well beyond Wales. David Thomas later moved to Pennsylvania, where he started similar production at the Lehigh Crane Iron Company. Many accounts link this to the growth of the American iron industry. Ynyscedwyn is therefore mentioned alongside much larger centres, even though the works itself was modest. What remains today? After Crane's death his successors did not develop the works as he had. A tinplate works was later built on the site, opened in 1889 and dismantled in 1946. A few remains of the old buildings survive, including unfinished brick arches and a chimney dating from 1872. This is not a museum with tickets and opening hours, but a place for people who enjoy finding traces of an industrial past. Frequently asked questions Where is Ynyscedwyn Ironworks? In Ystradgynlais in Powys, South Wales, near Swansea. Coordinates: 51.768365, -3.764263. Who expanded production at the ironworks? George Crane, who took over the works in the 1820s. What is the site known for? The first successful use of anthracite in a blast furnace, in 1837. Is the ironworks still operating? No. The works has closed and only fragments of the former structures remain. Who is the site for? Fans of the history of technology, industrial archaeology and off-the-beaten-path travel in Wales. It is worth combining a visit with a walk around Ystradgynlais and the surrounding valleys.

Warton Old Rectory

Lancaster

Warton Old Rectory is the ruin of a medieval rectory in the village of Warton, just outside Lancaster in Lancashire, England. Its surviving great hall and service rooms make it one of the better-preserved examples of an early 14th-century clergy residence in the region. What was Warton Old Rectory? It was the home of the local parish rector and also a manor where courts were held, hence its old name, Parsonage Court. The building is generally dated to the early 14th century and is credited to two younger sons of Marmaduke, Lord Thweng, while the earliest records of a building on the site go back to around the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. It counted among the wealthiest rectories in the diocese of York, which explains its ambitious scale for a rural parish. What survives today? The centrepiece is the great hall, dating from the late 13th or early 14th century, where the household dined and conducted business. At the north end stand service rooms with a first floor, and the foundations of a porch mark the entrance. Buried remains of a back court lie beneath the ground to the north. The walls are limestone rubble with sandstone dressings around openings and corners. Why is it a ruin? The date of abandonment is unclear, but the building was already a ruin by 1721. Its north end was later used as a cottage. After the site passed into state guardianship in 1971, later additions were removed so that only the medieval fabric remains visible. Protection The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument (designated 1925) and a Grade I listed building (listed 1968), the highest listing grade. It is cared for by English Heritage. Frequently asked questions Where is Warton Old Rectory? On Main Street in Warton, north of Lancaster, at roughly 54.14° N, 2.77° W. Is there an admission charge? According to English Heritage, entry is free. A local key keeper opens the site daily, and hours differ between summer and winter, so check current details before you go. How long does a visit take? The ruin is compact, and fifteen to thirty minutes is plenty. It pairs well with a stroll around Warton village. Is it still a rectory? No. It has not been a dwelling for centuries and survives purely as a ruin. Who is it for? Anyone interested in medieval architecture, English history, or quiet, lesser-known monuments away from the main tourist trails. Tips for visitors Treat the site as a short stop on a wider day out around Lancaster. Compare the thick walls of the great hall with the lighter service range, and look for the sandstone detailing that stands out against the grey limestone. Wear sturdy shoes, as the ground is uneven and the grass can be slippery after rain.

One of A Pair of Limekilns On Western Side of Slipway,Porthclais

St Davids

One of a Pair of Limekilns on the Western Side of the Slipway is a Grade II listed industrial relic at Porthclais, a small harbour a short distance from St Davids in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is one of two lime kilns standing beside the slipway, and it is a good place to see how this corner of the coast once worked. What are the limekilns at Porthclais? Lime kilns were used to burn limestone into quicklime, a material farmers spread on fields to improve the soil and builders used in mortar and whitewash. Stone and fuel were brought in by sea, which is why kilns were built right at the quayside. At Porthclais there are four kilns in total, two on each side of the harbour head, set on separate stone quays. This listing covers one of the pair on the western side of the slipway. How old are they? The exact date of construction is uncertain. A record of lime being imported for burning exists as early as 1743, so lime burning at the harbour has a long history. By 1870 the kilns were owned by a C. Allen, and by 1906 they were out of use. Both kilns in this pair were restored around 1975, which is why the masonry looks tidy today. The pair is recognised with Grade II listed status. What is Porthclais harbour? Porthclais is a narrow, steep-sided inlet of roughly 420 metres in length, with a breakwater at the seaward end. Records show cargoes being landed here for St Davids Cathedral in the 1380s, and the harbour appears in a list of Pembrokeshire harbours from 1566. Trade in coal, timber and lime carried on into the late 19th century, but competition from road and rail steadily weakened it. The coal trade ended in the 1930s and the coalyards and weighbridge were later demolished. Today the harbour is used by local fishermen and recreational sailors, and it is a popular spot for a quiet stop on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. How do I find them? The kilns are at the head of the harbour beside the slipway, at roughly 51.870, -5.283. They are easy to reach on foot from the harbour car park area, and the site is open air with no entry fee for viewing from outside. Frequently asked questions Can I go inside the kiln? The kilns are a protected structure and are best admired from outside. Is it worth the stop? Yes, if you like industrial heritage, coastal walks or photography. Combine it with a walk along the coast towards St Davids. How long do I need? Fifteen to twenty minutes for the kilns and harbour, longer if you continue along the path. What else is nearby? St Davids Cathedral and the city centre are a short distance inland, and the coast path leads to nearby bays.

Dilston Castle

Corbridge

Dilston Castle is a ruined tower house in the parish of Corbridge, Northumberland, in the north of England. The tower and the private chapel beside it are both scheduled monuments and Grade I listed buildings, which places them among the most highly protected historic structures in the country. What is Dilston Castle? It is a medieval defensive tower of the kind built across the Anglo-Scottish borderlands, where raids were a constant threat. Tall, narrow and thick-walled, such towers gave a landowning family a safe place to retreat. Dilston is what remains of a much larger residence that once stood on the same spot. Who built it and when? The tower is usually credited to Sir William Claxton and dated to around 1417. Some accounts say it replaced an earlier pele tower. No document fixes the date exactly, and it is generally placed in the 15th century. The estate passed to the Radcliffe family through the marriage of Edward Radcliffe to the Claxton heiress. How did the site change under the Radcliffes? Sir Francis Radcliffe built a Jacobean manor and folded the old tower into it. The new house became known as Dilston Hall. The tower stopped being a stand-alone fortress and became part of a comfortable family home. The Earl of Derwentwater and the Jacobite story The best-known figure linked with Dilston is James Radcliffe, 3rd Earl of Derwentwater. He took part in the Jacobite rising of 1715. He was convicted of treason and executed in 1716. Around 1709-1710 he had begun a grander mansion at Dilston, and it was never finished. After his death the estate went to Greenwich Hospital. The ruinous hall was demolished in 1765, leaving the original tower house standing alone. What else is there to see? The chapel beside the castle dates from around 1616. It is a rare example of a post-Reformation recusant chapel, built for a Catholic family at a time when open Catholic worship was restricted. A gateway at the site carries an inscription with the initials of Sir Francis Radcliffe and his wife Isobel. The tower was sold in 1874 to William Beaumont, later Lord Allendale. Today the site is owned by Cambian Dilston College and is looked after by the Northumbrian Jacobite Society. Because it sits within a college estate, check access arrangements before you travel. Frequently asked questions Where is Dilston Castle? It is at Dilston, in the parish of Corbridge, Northumberland, England. Is Dilston Castle a ruin? Yes. The surviving tower house is roofless and the later hall is gone, but the tower and chapel are protected as Grade I listed buildings and scheduled monuments. Who lived at Dilston? The Claxton family built the tower, and the Radcliffes inherited it through marriage. The most famous of them was the 3rd Earl of Derwentwater, executed in 1716 after the Jacobite rising. What is the chapel? A private chapel from around 1616, valued today as a rare surviving post-Reformation recusant chapel. Who looks after the site today? The land belongs to Cambian Dilston College, and the Northumbrian Jacobite Society maintains the castle.

Torry Battery

Aberdeen

Torry Battery is a Victorian coastal artillery battery in the Torry district of Aberdeen, Scotland. Built to guard the harbour, it still looks out over the entrance to the port from the headland at Girdle Ness, and today it is a ruin you can walk around while watching ships and the sea. What is Torry Battery? The battery was completed in 1860 and has overlooked Aberdeen's harbour ever since. It was planned with room for nine guns, and a defensible barracks stood at the rear so the garrison could hold out if the position were attacked from the land side. Its job was simple: to cover the approach to one of the main ports on Scotland's north-east coast. Why was it built? The project grew out of worries linked to the Crimean War era, when the city and the Board of Ordnance agreed that the harbour needed proper protection. It replaced an older defensive position that had fallen into disrepair. There is a small irony in the story. By the time work began in 1859, France, the power the defences were meant to deter, had become Britain's ally. The battery went ahead regardless. What guns did it have? By 1881 the battery was recorded with three 10-inch smooth-bore guns and five 68-pounder smooth-bore guns. Later, as artillery technology moved on, the site was adapted for two 6-inch breech-loading guns, which were in place by 1906. Repairs and reconstruction took place in 1904, and the battery remained operational through the First World War. What happened in the twentieth century? The Second World War was the period when the battery's guns opened fire in anger, the first and the last time they did so. It was finally decommissioned in 1956, after nearly a century of service. What can you see today? The battery is now a scheduled monument, which means it is legally protected as a site of national importance. What remains are the weathered walls and earthworks of the old defences. They sit close to Girdle Ness, where the Girdleness Lighthouse, designed by Robert Stevenson and completed in 1833, stands at the tip of the headland. The wider area around Greyhope Bay is popular for coastal walks and for watching the sea, and many visitors come hoping to spot dolphins. Frequently asked questions Where is Torry Battery? In Torry, on the south side of the River Dee mouth in Aberdeen, on the coast above the harbour entrance. When was it built? Work began in 1859 and the battery was completed in 1860. Is it still in military use? No. It was decommissioned in 1956 and is now a protected scheduled monument. Is it a good place for a short outing? Yes. It is only minutes from the city centre and combines military history with sea views, the lighthouse nearby and a coastal path. Can I see the lighthouse from here? Yes. Girdleness Lighthouse stands close by at the end of the headland and is part of the same short visit.

Inchindown oil tanks

Invergordon

Inchindown oil tanks are a disused underground fuel depot near Invergordon in Ross-shire, Scotland. Carved into rock during the Second World War for the Royal Navy, they are best known today for their acoustics: they hold the record for the longest reverberation of any man-made structure. What are the Inchindown tanks? The site is a group of six enormous tunnel-like tanks hidden inside a hillside above the Cromarty Firth. They were built as a bomb-proof reserve of furnace fuel oil for the Royal Navy base at Invergordon. Sources give different construction dates: some say work ran from 1938 to 1941, while the Highland historic environment record and the listing text give 1938 to 1943. How big are the tanks? Five of the six tanks are about 237 metres (778 ft) long and 9 metres (30 ft) wide, with arched roofs 13.5 metres (44 ft) high. The sixth is shorter but has the same height and width. Dimensions vary slightly because the tanks were fitted to the local geology. A single tank holds roughly 5.6 million gallons of fuel, and the whole depot could store around 32 million gallons, or about 100,000 tons. How did the fuel reach the base? Pipes about four miles long linked the depot to the naval base at Invergordon. The fuel ran downhill, so three pumping stations were built to send it back up the slope. The largest stands at Tomich. Why are the tanks famous for their echo? Long, tall, empty tunnels with hard walls act like a giant reverberation chamber. In 2014 the Inchindown tanks overtook the Hamilton Mausoleum for the longest reverberation on record. The figure given is 112 seconds after a blank round was fired from a pistol, the longest measured in any man-made structure. Heritage protection In 2014 the site was listed at Category A, the top tier of Scotland's historic building designations. The tanks no longer store fuel and are not a typical attraction open to every visitor. Frequently asked questions Where are the Inchindown tanks? Near Invergordon in Ross-shire, northern Scotland, beside the Cromarty Firth. What were they used for? As a bomb-proof store of furnace fuel oil for Royal Navy ships based at Invergordon. How many tanks are there and how large are they? There are six. Five are about 237 m long, 9 m wide and 13.5 m high; the sixth is shorter. What record do they hold? The longest reverberation in any man-made structure: 112 seconds, measured in 2014, beating the Hamilton Mausoleum. Can you visit? The site is disused and protected as a Category A listed structure. Check whether organised access is available before planning a trip.

Copped Hall

Epping Forest

Copped Hall is a ruined-and-recovering Georgian mansion in Epping Upland, Essex, on the edge of Epping Forest. It is Grade II listed and has been under restoration since 1999. Many drivers see it without knowing what it is: the house is visible from the M25 between junctions 26 and 27. What is Copped Hall? The name refers to the standing house built in the mid-18th century. The older Tudor and earlier buildings on the site are usually called Copt Hall or Copthall, and the spelling Copthall appears in many historical records. So the same place may turn up under three names in books and maps. What is the history of the estate? The estate belonged to the abbots of Waltham Abbey from 1350. Henry VIII took it over in 1537, after the abbey was dissolved. Almost the entire earlier house was pulled down in 1748, and the present mansion was built around 1753 for Sir John Conyers. In 1869 the estate was bought by the Wythes family, who had made their fortune in railway building. They extended the property. A fire in 1917 left the house largely gutted, and in 1952 the estate was sold. After that came decades of neglect, and the building became a shell. How was the house saved? From 1986 to 1995, local conservation societies resisted several large development proposals for the mansion and its parkland. The Copped Hall Trust, a charity, was founded and bought the mansion and gardens in 1995. The surrounding parkland had already been protected by the Corporation of London in 1992. Sources differ on the exact year the Trust was formed, so treat 1993 as an approximate date. The purchase was financed with two low-interest loans, repaid within three years by selling six leasehold apartments with covenants. Since then the work has been carried out by a team of more than 100 volunteers, with the aim of restoring the house and gardens for educational, cultural and community use. Can you visit Copped Hall? Access is limited. The house and gardens are private and open only on advertised event days. Guided tours have in the past been held on the third Sunday of the month, but arrangements change, so check the Copped Hall Trust website before you travel. Frequently asked questions Where is Copped Hall? In Epping Upland, Essex, close to Epping Forest and the M25. Is Copped Hall the same as Copt Hall? Not exactly. Copped Hall is the surviving 18th-century house, while Copt Hall and Copthall are names for the earlier Tudor and older houses. Who owns Copped Hall? The Copped Hall Trust, a charity that bought the mansion and gardens in 1995 and is restoring them. Is it open every day? No. It is open only for advertised events and tours. Why does the house have no roof in old photos? Because of the 1917 fire, which gutted most of the building before the Trust began its restoration.

Temple of Augustus

Runnymede

Temple of Augustus at Virginia Water is not a Roman temple that stood here in antiquity. It is a romantic ruin assembled in the late 1820s from stones carried all the way from Leptis Magna, a Roman city on the coast of today's Libya. It stands on the south side of the lake in Windsor Great Park, in the Runnymede area of Surrey, and is one of the most unusual sights in the English countryside. What exactly is the Temple of Augustus? Despite the name, the structure is a folly: a decorative landscape feature built to look like an ancient ruin. Its columns and pedestals come from several buildings in Leptis Magna, and not from a single temple. The builders arranged them as a picturesque set piece beside the water, and added newly made, deliberately weathered columns to complete the scene. The name most likely alludes to George IV, whose full name was George Augustus Frederick. How did Libyan stones end up in England? In 1816 Colonel Hanmer Warrington, the British consul general in Tripoli, obtained permission from the local authorities to remove material from Leptis Magna. It included about 25 pedestals and 22 granite columns. Earlier, in the 1600s, Louis XIV of France had already received hundreds of columns from the same site for Versailles and Paris, so the city's stone had a long history of being carried abroad. The pieces were first shown at the British Museum. In 1826 they were handed to the royal architect Jeffry Wyatville, who re-erected them at Virginia Water. The work was carried out between 1827 and 1830. Sources differ slightly on some dates and on the exact number of columns, which is common for a story this old. What is the setting like? Virginia Water is an artificial lake in Windsor Great Park. It was created for the Duke of Cumberland between 1748 and 1752 by Henry Flitcroft. The ruins sit among trees and open lawns by the shore, so a walk around the lake naturally leads past them. The mix of Mediterranean stone and English parkland is what makes the spot so photogenic. Is it protected? Yes. The Temple of Augustus has been a Grade II* listed structure since 1986, which places it among the more significant listed buildings in England. Frequently asked questions Is it a real Roman temple? Not in the sense of a building that stood here. The stones are genuinely Roman, but the arrangement is a 19th-century creation. Where do the stones come from? From Leptis Magna, in present-day Libya. Who built it? Jeffry Wyatville re-erected the remains for the royal estate between 1827 and 1830. Is the site controversial? Yes. A Libyan lawyer has been pursuing the return of the ruins through the Crown Estate, so the monument is part of the wider debate about antiquities taken abroad in the 19th century. Where is it? On the shore of Virginia Water in Windsor Great Park, near Runnymede, at roughly 51.408 N, 0.600 W.

Ewyas Harold Castle

Ewyas Harold

Ewyas Harold Castle is a ruined motte-and-bailey castle in the village of Ewyas Harold, in Herefordshire, England, close to the Welsh border. Nothing of the stone walls stands today, but the great earth mound and its surrounding enclosure remain clearly readable in the landscape, and the site belongs to the small group of English castles whose roots go back to the years before the Norman Conquest. What is Ewyas Harold Castle? It is an earthwork castle of the motte-and-bailey type: a steep, artificial mound (the motte) that once carried the main stronghold, beside a lower enclosure (the bailey) where the everyday buildings stood. The motte is almost circular, measuring roughly 74 metres from north-west to south-east and about 64 metres across, and it rises around 10 metres above the kidney-shaped bailey. Scattered stone around the crest points to a shell keep, a ring wall of masonry, that once crowned the summit. How old is the castle? The castle is usually dated to about 1048, when it was raised by Osbern Pentecost, one of the Norman followers who had settled in the region during the reign of Edward the Confessor. According to records, it stands on an older fortification, a Saxon burh of the 10th century. Herefordshire's own historic records count it among only four castles in England built before 1066, which makes it unusually early. Accounts of what followed differ in detail. One version says the castle was dismantled in 1052 during the conflict between the Norman lords and Earl Godwin, then refortified shortly after the Conquest, around 1066-1067, by William FitzOsbern. Another notes that the Domesday survey records FitzOsbern remodelling the castle and passing it to Alfred of Marlborough. Why is it called Ewyas Harold? "Ewyas" is the old name of the district, while "Harold" is added from the castle's first resident lord. Why the castle came to carry this particular name is not fully clear. In 1100 a lord named Harold founded a priory within the outer bailey of the castle. His son Robert later founded the Cistercian abbey at Dore in 1147, in the neighbouring Golden Valley, which is worth a visit alongside the castle. What happened to the castle later? The castle went out of use during the 15th century. Its last military role came during the rising of Owain Glyndwr, around 1403. By the time of the Civil War in 1645, any remaining masonry at Ewyas had vanished, which explains why only the earthworks survive. What can you see today? The attraction here is the shape of the land rather than buildings. Climbing the motte gives a sense of how commanding the position was over the valley below, and the outline of the bailey and the former priory area helps you picture a medieval border settlement. The earthworks are protected as a scheduled monument, so walk carefully and avoid disturbing the banks. Wear sturdy shoes, as the slopes are steep and can be slippery after rain. Frequently asked questions Are there any buildings left at Ewyas Harold Castle? No standing walls remain. What survives is the motte, the bailey and the earthworks of the site. Is it really a pre-Conquest castle? Yes, the origins are dated to around 1048, making it one of very few English castles that predate the Norman Conquest of 1066. Who built it? It is generally credited to Osbern Pentecost, later remodelled by William FitzOsbern. Who founded the nearby priory? Harold, the lord whose name the village carries, founded a priory in the outer bailey in 1100. When did the castle stop being used? It fell out of use in the 15th century, with its last military use around 1403.

Gelston Castle

Castle Douglas

Gelston Castle is a roofless, castellated country house near the town of Castle Douglas in Kirkcudbrightshire, part of Dumfries and Galloway in south-west Scotland. Now a ruin, it has survived in remarkably complete outline, and its silhouette still draws the eye of anyone approaching across the surrounding landscape. Who built Gelston Castle, and when? The castle was commissioned by Sir William Douglas, the founder of nearby Castle Douglas. He acquired the lands of Gelston in 1799 and built himself a grand mansion here around 1805. The design is attributed on stylistic grounds to the architect Richard Crichton, a pupil of the Adam brothers, although records are not entirely clear and other names occasionally appear. What does the building look like? Gelston is an example of the Adam castle style: a country house dressed up as a fortress rather than a true stronghold. The entrance front has a three-storey advanced central bay that creates a tower effect. Slim round towers tie the building together at each corner, each topped with a miniature turret. The interior and roof are gone, but the walls stand to full height, so the original form is easy to read. What happened after Sir William Douglas died? Sir William died without children in 1809, and his property was divided among various nieces and nephews. Gelston passed to Mathilda Douglas, the youngest daughter of his brother James. In 1813 she married William Maitland, and their family remained in charge of the estate for most of the nineteenth century. The property later belonged to the Galliers-Pratt family, who kept the castle mainly for pheasant shooting. Gelston Castle in the Second World War During the Second World War the castle was requisitioned. It became a home for disabled boys evacuated from Glasgow. Once that use ended, the roof was removed, leaving the building in the state seen today. Frequently asked questions Where is Gelston Castle? Near Castle Douglas, in Kirkcudbrightshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, at roughly 54.905 N, 3.909 W. Is it a ruin? Yes. There is no roof or interior, but the walls survive to their full height. Who designed it? The design is attributed to Richard Crichton on the basis of style, though sources vary. Why was the roof removed? After the building stopped serving as a home for evacuated Glasgow boys, the roof was taken off and the structure gradually fell into ruin. Who is it for? Architecture enthusiasts, photographers of ruins, and anyone interested in the history of Scottish country estates or exploring the area around Castle Douglas. Before visiting, check current access arrangements, since the surrounding land may be private or managed woodland and conditions can change. Please do not enter the ruin or climb the walls, as a roofless structure is vulnerable to further deterioration. Gelston Castle neatly sums up the fate of many Scottish estates from the turn of the nineteenth century: built with flourish by a wealthy owner, divided among heirs, held by successive families, and finally pressed into wartime service before being left to decay.

Arch Of Former Lintzgarth Smelt Mill Flue

Rookhope

Arch of Former Lintzgarth Smelt Mill Flue The Arch of the former Lintzgarth Smelt Mill Flue is a lone stone survivor of the lead industry that once shaped Rookhope valley in County Durham, northern England. Of the whole Lintzgarth smelting complex, this arch is the only part that still stands, which makes it the focal point of any visit. What exactly is it? The structure is a semicircular sandstone arch with a radius of roughly three metres. It belonged to a system of flues that carried fumes from the smelting furnaces away from the works. According to one source, it was one of six arches that carried the stone flue over the river and the road in the valley. With the rest of the flue gone, it now looks like a forgotten doorway standing among fields and hills. Where did it come from? The Lintzgarth smelt mill dates to 1737. The Blackett family built it to process lead ore from mines across the Rookhope valley. The works was later run by the Blackett-Beaumont Company, which also extracted silver from the lead. The arch itself belongs to an 1802 addition, when the mill was already well established in the local economy. How long was the flue? Sources disagree. Some give about a mile and a half (around 2.4 km), others about two miles (around 3.2 km). Whichever figure is right, the flue was a large undertaking, and its trace in the landscape is still easy to read. Heritage protection The arch is a Grade II listed building, listed on 5 June 1987 (Historic England list entry 1277257). It lies in the civil parish of Stanhope and is most closely associated with the village of Rookhope. Keys to the Past holds an archaeological record for the site (reference D36875), and the Durham Record has a photograph of it taken in 2002. Who is it for? It suits visitors interested in industrial archaeology, the history of Pennine lead mining and photography. The arch makes a good short stop on a walk or drive through Rookhope valley, and it is often described as a forgotten doorway to another world. Frequently asked questions Is the arch the whole flue? No. It is the only surviving part of the Lintzgarth smelting complex; the rest of the structure has gone. When was it built? The mill dates to 1737, and the arch comes from an 1802 addition. Is it protected? Yes, it has been a Grade II listed building since 1987. Who owned the mill? The Blackett family built it, and the Blackett-Beaumont Company later ran it. Where is it? In Rookhope valley, in the civil parish of Stanhope, County Durham, England.

Heighley Castle

Newcastle-under-Lyme

Heighley Castle is a ruined medieval castle in Staffordshire, England, close to the village of Madeley and not far from Newcastle-under-Lyme. For more than three centuries it was one of the ancestral homes of the Audley family. Today only fragments of masonry remain, mostly overgrown with vegetation, and the site is privately owned and closed to visitors. Who built Heighley Castle, and when? The castle's origins lie with the Audley family. Henry de Audley is credited with building it, and Historic England dates its construction to the first quarter of the 13th century. Other sources give 1233 as the year it was completed. The same Henry de Audley is credited with founding Hulton Abbey in Stoke-on-Trent, which shows how influential the family was in the region. For over 300 years Heighley remained in Audley hands as one of their ancestral residences. It was not a short-lived stronghold but a place tied to a single family across many generations. What role did the castle play later on? The castle stayed useful long after the Middle Ages. Historic England notes that in 1534 it was still in good enough repair to be used as a prison. That detail shows the building had survived for centuries and still served a practical purpose. Its life as a working fortress ended with the English Civil War. The castle was held for Charles I, and Parliamentary forces destroyed it in the 1640s. According to Historic England, it was demolished in 1644, because it was still sound enough to be worth removing as a potential base for the other side. What remains today? The surviving remains are fragmentary: pieces of masonry, mostly overgrown by vegetation, so visitors should not expect a readable outline of towers or walls. The site is nonetheless protected. It is a Grade II listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Conservation work has been carried out here in recent years. The contractor Recclesia was commissioned as Principal Contractor for a scheme of masonry conservation and repair, intended to secure the surviving fragments against further decay. Can you visit Heighley Castle? No. The castle is privately owned and not open to visitors. For anyone interested in Staffordshire history or the story of the Audley family, it is best understood as a point on the map of the region's past rather than a typical day-out destination. It also stands as an example of how many English castles were lost or crippled during the Civil War in the mid-17th century. Frequently asked questions Where is Heighley Castle? In Staffordshire, near the village of Madeley, in the area around Newcastle-under-Lyme. When was the castle built? In the first quarter of the 13th century according to Historic England; some sources give 1233 as the completion date. Who destroyed it? Parliamentary forces in the 1640s, during the English Civil War. The castle was then held for Charles I. Can I enter the site? No, it is private property and closed to visitors. Is the castle protected? Yes, as a Grade II listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Burradon Tower

North Tyneside

Burradon Tower is a ruined tower house in the village of Burradon, North Tyneside, in north-east England. It is both a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade II listed building, a surviving trace of the troubled Anglo-Scottish borderlands. What is Burradon Tower? A tower house is a small fortified residence of the kind landowning families built across the border counties from the late Middle Ages. It offered shelter for people and livestock during raids and served as an everyday home. Burradon Tower is one such building near present-day Newcastle upon Tyne. Only ruins remain, but the sturdy stone character of the structure can still be made out. What is the history of the tower? John Orde acquired the manor of Burradon in 1441. At that time the land was worth only about 20 shillings a year, because the area suffered from Scottish raids and had poor soil. The tower was probably built around 1553 by Bertram Anderson, Orde's nephew, although a fifteenth-century date has also been suggested. Historic England notes that there is no secure evidence for when it was built. In 1569 the estate passed to the Ogle family, who extended and improved the building. A fireplace dated 1633 and carrying the initials LO is linked to Lancelot Ogle. Later, after Jane Ogle married her cousin James Ogle of Causey Park House, the tower was abandoned, and by 1769 it was recorded as derelict. What happened to it in the 19th and 20th centuries? In the 19th century the tower formed part of an adjoining farm. Its lower rooms were made habitable and given a tiled roof. By the early 20th century it had fallen into neglect and ruin. Conservation work took place in 1977, securing what survives. What should you know before visiting? Burradon Tower stands in North Tyneside next to the former Burradon Farm and is a ruin, not a museum. Scheduled Ancient Monument status means legal protection: do not damage the walls or remove any part of the structure. It suits anyone interested in border history, castles and defensive towers of northern England. Frequently asked questions Is Burradon Tower a protected monument? Yes. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade II listed building. When was the tower built? Most often around 1553 by Bertram Anderson is given, but there is no secure evidence, and a fifteenth-century date has also been proposed. Who owned the tower? First the Orde family, then from 1569 the Ogle family. Later it became part of a farm. Can you go inside? It is a ruin, so check current access before visiting and view it with respect for its protected status.

Yorke's Folly

Pateley Bridge

Yorke's Folly: a gritstone "ruin" above Nidderdale Yorke's Folly is a landscape folly standing on the hill above the village of Bewerley, close to the small town of Pateley Bridge in North Yorkshire, England. From a distance it looks like the remains of an old church, but it never was one. Locals also call it the Two Stoops. What is Yorke's Folly? Two tall gritstone shafts built to resemble the ruin of a church's east window or crossing. It is an artificial ruin, a fashionable feature of English designed landscapes in the 18th and early 19th centuries. The shafts stand about 15 metres high and can be seen from many points in the valley. The structure has been Grade II listed since 1987. Who built it, and when? It was commissioned by John Yorke, owner of the Bewerley estate, as an eye-catcher in the landscape around Bewerley Hall. The exact date is given differently depending on the source: the official listing says late 18th to early 19th century, while some researchers argue it was complete by the late 1770s. John Yorke died in 1813 and, at his own request, was buried quietly in Hudswell churchyard. Why were there once three pillars? The folly originally had three columns and was known as the Three Stoops. One was blown down in 1893, which is why only two remain. A folly built to ease unemployment Local tradition holds that the project also gave work to unemployed men in the district. An account repeated in 20th-century writing says the labourers received fourpence a day and a loaf of bread. A similar account dates from the early 19th century, during the lifetime of the man who commissioned it. Getting there and what to see A short walk from a layby on Nought Bank Road leads to the folly. The main draw is the view over Nidderdale, especially lovely on a bright afternoon. It makes an easy stop on a Yorkshire Dales trip and a good photo spot, as the lone pillars stand out against the sky. Frequently asked questions Is Yorke's Folly a real church ruin? No. It is a deliberately designed landscape feature made to look like a ruin. Why is it called the Two Stoops? After the two surviving pillars. The third was blown down in 1893. Is there an entrance fee? The folly stands on open hillside, reached by a short walk from the road. How tall is it? The shafts are about 15 metres high. Where is it? Above Bewerley village, near Pateley Bridge in North Yorkshire.

John O'Gaunt's Castle

John O'Gaunt's Castle is the earthwork remains of a medieval royal hunting lodge in North Yorkshire, England. It lies in the civil parish of Haverah Park near Harrogate. Despite the name, it was never a defensive castle: it was a residence for the king during hunting trips, and today it survives as clear earthworks and the foundations of a vanished tower. What was John O'Gaunt's Castle? The building was a royal hunting lodge in the medieval park of Haverah, part of the Forest of Knaresborough. When the king was hunting in the area, the lodge served as both a residence and an administrative centre. Haverah Park was created in the late 12th century, and the first building on the site may date from around then. Where does the name come from, and what is its history? The earliest firm reference dates to 1333, when substantial repairs were carried out on a building that already existed. A moat was added during this work. In 1334, building works were still under way under Edward III. The name recalls John of Gaunt, one of the most powerful nobles of medieval England, who was Lord of the Manor of Knaresborough for nearly three decades until 1399. The link between the site and his name is traditional, and "castle" is a later, popular label for what was originally a hunting lodge. What did the lodge look like? Records from 1333 describe a stone tower standing on a square platform surrounded by a moat and a large outer bank. The building had a chapel, a hall and a queen's chamber, and its roof was covered in lead. At the southern edge of the platform lie the remains of a gatehouse. What can you see today? The tower no longer stands, but its foundations and the surrounding earthworks remain easy to read in the landscape. You can make out the square platform, the line of the moat and the bank. The site is on the National Heritage List for England (entry 1020950) as a scheduled monument, first protected on 17 December 1929. It suits visitors interested in archaeology, medieval history and quiet walks in the countryside around Harrogate. Do not expect rebuilt walls or museum facilities: the appeal is the landscape and the readable plan of a former royal residence. Frequently asked questions Is John O'Gaunt's Castle a real castle? Not in the defensive sense. It was a royal hunting lodge, and the word "castle" became part of the name later. Where is it? In Haverah Park civil parish, near Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The coordinates are roughly 53.9864 N, 1.6667 W. Do any buildings survive? No. The tower is gone, but its foundations, the moat and the bank are visible as earthworks, and there are remains of a gatehouse at the southern edge of the platform. Who used it? It belonged to the Crown, and building works took place under Edward III in the 14th century. John of Gaunt is associated with the name, though that link is traditional. Is the site protected? Yes, it has been a scheduled monument since 1929, so the remains must not be damaged and unauthorised digging is not allowed.

Basing House

Basingstoke and Deane

Basing House in Old Basing, Hampshire, is the ruin of a Tudor palace and fortified mansion that once rivalled Hampton Court Palace in size and splendour. Today visitors find foundations, earthworks and fragments of the lower ground floor, but the site tells one of the most dramatic stories of the English Civil War. What was Basing House? The mansion was raised in 1531 by William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester, a servant of the Tudor crown, on the site of an older Norman motte-and-bailey castle. It grew into one of the largest private houses in the country, built to host a royal court. Queen Elizabeth I stayed here in 1560, enjoyed the visit so much that she came back on two further occasions. Why is it famous? Its fame comes from the 1640s. The Paulet family, headed by John Paulet, 5th Marquess of Winchester, supported King Charles I, and the fortified house became a Royalist stronghold deep in Parliamentarian territory, close to the road between London and the west. Parliamentary troops besieged it three times. The garrison beat off the first two attempts. During the second, a relief column under Colonel Henry Gage broke through the besiegers' lines in September 1644 and resupplied the defenders. How did it fall? The third and final siege began in August 1645, when Colonel John Dalbier took up positions around the walls. The garrison held on until Oliver Cromwell arrived with a heavy siege train. In mid-October 1645 the house was stormed. Much of its valuable contents was carried off, and a fire destroyed the building. Parliament then ordered the ruins to be completely slighted and demolished. Accounts of the fighting also mention that people sheltering in the cellar, among them several priests, were killed. What can you see today? Not much stands above ground. What survives are parts of the basement or lower ground floor, the foundations and the earthworks. The ruins are a Grade II listed building and a scheduled monument. The earthworks make it easy to read the layout of the old castle site and imagine how the later fortifications used it. Local place names still echo the events: Slaughter Close and Oliver's Battery recall the final assault. Frequently asked questions Where is Basing House? In the village of Old Basing, close to Basingstoke in Hampshire, England. Is anything of the palace still standing? Only low remains: parts of the lower floor, foundations and earthworks. The rest was destroyed in 1645 and the ruins were later demolished on Parliament's orders. Who built it? William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester, in 1531. Why did it matter in the Civil War? It was a fortified Royalist garrison that resisted three sieges before Cromwell's siege train brought it down in October 1645. What happened to the Paulet estate afterwards? It was sequestered under the Commonwealth and returned to the family at the Restoration. Is it worth a visit? Yes, if you enjoy Tudor and Civil War history. Come for the atmosphere of the earthworks and the story behind them, and combine the trip with a walk around the historic village of Old Basing. Planning your visit Check opening arrangements and access before you travel, as ruined sites of this kind often have seasonal hours. Wear sturdy shoes, since the ground is uneven and earthworks can be slippery after rain. A short read about the sieges beforehand will make the grassy mounds and banks far more meaningful, because the drama of 1643 to 1645 is written in the landscape rather than in standing walls. Allow an hour or two for the ruins, longer if you add the village and its surroundings, and bring a camera for the dramatic banks and ditches.

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.

Morgraig Castle

Caerphilly

Morgraig Castle (Castell Morgraig) is a ruined medieval castle on a ridge on the southern edge of the Caerphilly county borough in Wales, looking out over Cardiff. It is a protected site: a scheduled monument and a Grade II listed building, and its origins are still argued over by historians. What is Morgraig Castle? Morgraig is a 13th-century fortification that survives only as a ruin. Its dating is placed between 1243 and 1267, a period when the area was a frontier. The castle stands on the border between the English Lordship of Cardiff and the Welsh lordship of Senghenydd, which explains why its story is tied to the power struggle between the two sides. Who built Morgraig Castle? This is the main question hanging over the site, and it has no settled answer. Two main candidates are put forward. One is Gilbert de Clare, the Anglo-Norman lord of Glamorgan; the other is the Welsh Lord of Senghenydd. Some accounts name Earl Richard de Clare, active in the years 1243 to 1262, while others point to Gruffydd ap Rhys, who held Senghenydd between 1256 and 1267. Jack Spurgeon, writing in Cadw's magazine Heritage in Wales, suggested the de Clare lords of Glamorgan built it some time after 1243 and before 1267. Was the castle ever finished? No. Excavations carried out in 1903-4 concluded that the castle had never been completed, although walls had risen above first-floor level. Nothing indicates that it was ever lived in. That makes Morgraig an unusual stop: a fortress that was abandoned before it did the job it was built for. How was it rediscovered? The ruins were found in the summer of 1895 by a group from Cardiff Museum led by John Ward. The excavations of 1903-4 that followed were financed by Lord Windsor, and they produced the picture of an unfinished building that is still used today. Protection and condition Morgraig has been a scheduled monument since 1928. It was listed as a Grade II building on 28 January 1963. Its condition is recorded as ruinous, so expect low, weathered remains rather than a castle with towers and rooms to walk through. Why visit? It is a quiet contrast to the large, well-known castle in nearby Caerphilly town: here you see a small, unfinished fortress rather than a restored one. The ridge position gives a sense of why the site was chosen, with the border country between the Cardiff lowlands and the hills behind it. It is a good fit for visitors interested in medieval Wales, the Clare family and the Welsh-Norman frontier. Frequently asked questions Where is Morgraig Castle? On a ridge near the southern border of Caerphilly county borough, overlooking Cardiff, Wales. When was it built? In the 13th century, between 1243 and 1267. Is it a protected monument? Yes. It is a scheduled monument and a Grade II listed building. Was it ever completed? Excavations in 1903-4 concluded that it was not. Who found it? A Cardiff Museum group led by John Ward, in 1895.

Midhurst Castle

Chichester

Midhurst Castle is the ruined Norman fortress that once stood on St Ann's Hill, above the market town of Midhurst in West Sussex, England. Little of it survives above ground today, but the hill still shows the outline of a medieval stronghold and rewards visitors who enjoy quiet, atmospheric ruins. What is Midhurst Castle? The site is the remains of a motte-and-bailey castle: a defensive mound with an enclosed courtyard, a typical form of Norman fortification in England. Today you will mostly find foundation stones among the trees rather than towers or battlements. The site is a scheduled monument, which means it is protected by law, so visitors should look but not disturb the stonework or the ground. Who built it and when? The exact date of the first castle is uncertain. Different accounts place its beginnings anywhere from the years around the Norman Conquest to the early twelfth century, and the castle does not appear in the Domesday Book. What is clearer is its link with the Bohun family, the lords of Midhurst, who held the settlement and its surroundings. Little is recorded about the castle's history as a fortress, and it is better understood through its archaeology than through written chronicles. Why did it fall out of use? Around 1280 the Bohuns moved their main residence away from St Ann's Hill to Cowdray, close by on the River Rother. After that the hilltop castle lost its purpose, and buildings on the site were later pulled down. One part stayed in use for longer: the chapel of St Denis on the summit was still functioning in 1291. Local tradition later gave the hill the name Tan Hill, and that name is thought to be a corruption of St Denis. What did the excavations find? Excavations in 1913 uncovered a curtain wall about 5 feet (1.5 m) thick, enclosing roughly 5.5 acres. They also revealed foundations of a hall and of a twelfth-century chapel. Afterwards Lord Cowdray had some of the wall lines built up above ground level, so the walls you see today are an early twentieth-century presentation of the medieval plan, not untouched original masonry. That helps visitors read the layout of the castle on the ground. What is it like to visit? St Ann's Hill is wooded, and the ruins sit quietly among the trees, so the mood is more woodland walk than formal heritage attraction. Wear sturdy shoes, as paths can be uneven and muddy after rain. The site is a good fit for anyone interested in Norman history, archaeology or the story of how local lords shifted from hilltop fortresses to more comfortable residences. Frequently asked questions Is there anything left of the castle? Yes, but mostly foundations and low wall lines, some of them rebuilt in the twentieth century. Who owned Midhurst Castle? The Bohun family, the lords of Midhurst, who later moved to Cowdray. Why is the hill sometimes called Tan Hill? The name was in colloquial use in the eighteenth century and is probably a corruption of St Denis, the saint of the chapel that stood on the summit. Is the site protected? Yes, it is a scheduled monument, so please treat it with care. What else is nearby? Midhurst itself has its historic streets and the nearby Cowdray estate, the later seat of the Bohun lords, which makes a natural pairing with a visit to the castle hill and gives a fuller picture of local medieval history.