Bronllys Castle

Visitor notice

This site is now open to view or visit.

Please note — the castle tower is closed due to visitor safety restrictions.

In line with Welsh Government advice and guidance, we have started to reopen a selection of our unstaffed heritage sites in a safe and controlled way — for the benefit of local communities.

We are pleased to announce that this monument is now open and is free to view or visit with no pre-booking required. Please adhere to our new visitation guidelines, act responsibly and be respectful towards the site and its local area at all times.

Site opening times, parking and other available facilities at our reopened sites may have changed. Please check this site’s webpage carefully for specific updates.

For further information on what to expect and how to stay safe during your visit, please read our FAQs page.

Overview

Sturdy stone tower with a turbulent history

First built as a basic ‘motte-and-bailey’ castle in the late 11th or early 12th century, Bronllys Castle’s 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.