Hay Castle, Hay-on-Wye, United Kingdom

Hay Castle is a medieval fortification and 17th-century mansion house in the small town of Hay-on-Wye, Wales. Originally constructed as part of the Norman invasion of Wales, the castle was designed as a ringwork overlooking the town in either the late-11th or early-12th centuries. It was rebuilt in stone around 1200 by the de Braose family and then had a turbulent history, being attacked and burnt several times during the First and Second Barons' Wars, the wars with the Welsh princes, the rebellion of Owain Glyndŵr and the Wars of the Roses.

In the 17th century a Jacobean mansion house was built alongside the medieval keep and the property became a private home. Serious fires in 1939 and 1977 gutted the castle and, despite repairs in the 1980s, by the 21st century much of the building was derelict and unstable. Since 2011 it has been owned by the Hay Castle Trust who plan to renovate the property to form an arts and education centre.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Maud Haugland (31 days ago)
Really good views over the town! And interesting exhibitions although it didn't really have much to do with the castle itself

Naveen Vidyadharan (48 days ago)
We came from Cardiff on a day trip to visit Hay Castle, and it was absolutely worth it. The castle grounds are beautifully maintained and even feature an enchanting outdoor book section, making it a perfect spot for book lovers. It's also a lovely location for photos, with plenty of historic buildings showcasing great architecture. Parking in the town car park was easy, making the visit hassle-free. Overall, Hay Castle is a delightful destination, especially for those who appreciate history and literature.

Toby Hefford (4 months ago)
Great little castle, bargin for £5 entry. Plenty to see and learn about its history, love the idea of the sort film at the start to give you a introduction to the castle, fantastic staff greeting you at the door and explaining how to tour the castle. Good cafe with a nice shop..

Carlyn Gough-Ley (4 months ago)
Nice little place, not huge, but nicely set out and lovely views. Small gift shop and a nice looking cafe. Staff all friendly a d welcoming.

Sarah Lorraine (4 months ago)
Lovely visit to the castle today. While it may not be the biggest or most exciting of landmarks, we enjoyed our time. The gift shop is filled with some hidden gems. Although we didn’t eat at the cafe, rumour has it the food is amazing and the ambiance is even better. The grounds were lovely and included an outdoor book section. Staff were more than friendly!

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Kakesbeck is one of the largest medieval fortifications in Münsterland and the oldest castle in Lüdinghausen. The imposingly grown complex originated in 1120 as a motte, a small hilltop tower castle. After numerous changes of ownership, the castle was extended onto two islands, but it was not until the 14th century that it underwent significant alterations and extensions under the von Oer family. The estate experienced its heyday in the middle of the 18th century, when it covered an area of almost one square kilometre and consisted of five further outer castles in addition to the core castle, which were secured by ramparts and moats.

The well-maintained condition of the castle today is thanks to the late Wilfried Grewing, the former lord of the castle. The foundation named after him has been particularly committed to preserving the property since 2020.

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