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Longtown Castle, Longtown

3.7

#20 of 21 in Historic Sites in Herefordshire

Longtown Castle, also termed Ewias Lacey 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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Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

18 reviews

Google

3.7

rayj709

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 »
290georger

May 26, 2016

What a cool little experience! We stayed just up the road in Michaelchurch and happened to drive through Longtown on several occasions, on our way out to other visits. Eventually we decided to dip in ... more »
Anne M

May 17, 2016

A small castle with a close-up view of the Black Mountains looming through the trees. Glimpse of the Inner Bailey with an apple tree in blossom through the archway in the outer wall. It only takes ten... more »

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Google

James Burgess

Fantastic sites here, hard to get to but worth it! In better condition than a lot of the castles in area, and a bi to explore. Worth seeing if you're in the area

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James Perry

A few signs but this is a place for the imagination.

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Zhou Chen Lin

Typical historical fake. "Keep/Bailey constructed in early- to mid-19th century, on foundations of an unknown building. With phony points of interest including an latrine added later to external wall. Fireplace and flue on north-side, and multiple windows fabricated even later in 20th century.

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Andrzej Lengiewicz

We didn't really planed to get there, sort of mistake with the post code on longer trip, but nice outcome :-) It is an interesting tower and very strong wind was actually adding to the experience. Not sure if is worth to go just there, but if not very far from your route, definitely worth to visit.

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Adrian Jones

Fantastic food

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