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Longtown Castle, Longtown

4.0
#22 of 29 in Historic Sites in Herefordshire
#Castle, #Tourist Spot
Longtown Castle, also termed Ewias Lacey Castle in early accounts, is a ruined Norman motte-and-bailey fortification in Longtown, Herefordshire. Built around 1175 by Hugh de Lacy, possibly reusing former Roman earthworks, the castle had an unusual design with three baileys and two large enclosures to protect the neighbouring town. Early in the next century the castle was rebuilt in stone, with a circular keep erected on the motte and a gatehouse constructed between the inner and outer western baileys. By the 14th century, Longtown Castle had fallen into decline. Despite being pressed back into use during the Owain Glyndŵr rising in 1403, it became ruined. In the 21st century the castle is maintained by English Heritage and operated as a tourist attraction.HistoryEarlier sitesIt is uncertain when the first fortification at Longtown was built. The first defences may have been built during either the Iron Age or Roman, or Anglo-Saxon periods, but this remains uncertain. If Roman defences were constructed at the site, it was probably because of a Roman road that may have run nearby, and the defences may well have then been reused in the building of the current castle, parts of whose earthworks have square, angular corners, similar to those of Roman forts but otherwise unusual in 12th century English castles.
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Longtown Castle Reviews
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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 3.5
20 reviews
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TripAdvisor
  • By Clivel_98 On January 26, 2018
    An unusual Castle ruin - the outer walls are there in part, with the central Keep on a higher hill still in decent condition. Parking is not that easy - the little road to the Castle has parking space...  more »
  • By david s On January 16, 2018
    What a lovely little castle We went to a wasail the night before and every one walked up to the tower for the pagan celebrations So we went back the following day what a lovely little site plenty of i...  more »
  • By Ray J On June 8, 2016
    An English Heritage site and it's free which can't be bad. Just to get a plug in, why not join English heritage get free entry into all of their properties and help the preservation and up keep of the...  more »
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  • By Sophie Flanagan-Sharp On May 6, 2018
    I saw a sign about a castle. I saw a castle. I would come again to see a sign about a castle and and Castle. Fun times.
  • By George Hampton On February 15, 2018
    OK, so its not the biggest castle ever, nor are a lot of the original features there but there are some amazing views from it, as well as some good information about the history and why it came to be, so for this I'm going to give it a whopping four out of five stars
  • By John Hawkins On March 31, 2018
    Free entry. A small ruined castle with some nice views to be had of the surrounding countryside.
  • By David Hvass On January 13, 2018
    A fine example of a thunder box in the castle wall, although the prospect of Welsh arrows might prove an effective detterant to bowel movements
  • By Tom Benjamin On January 13, 2018
    Small castle with interesting information boards and fantastic views. Free entry.
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