Castell Bronllys

Sturdy stone tower with a turbulent history

First built as a basic ‘motte-and-bailey’ castle in the late 11th or early 12th century, Castell Bronllys' surviving stone tower dates from the 13th century. You can still climb the tower’s three floors, where far-reaching views from the highest levels give a good idea of the site’s strategic importance – its location in disputed Marches border territory saw the castle pass from English to Welsh hands several times over the centuries.

It was repaired in the early 15th century in response to the native uprising led by Owain Glyndŵr before falling into ruin. Alongside the tower, remnants of walls and the deep fosse (or dry moat) can still be seen.