Raglan Castle
Everything’s great about this place; from its great tower, which evokes memories of earlier fortresses like Caernarfon, to the great gatehouse, which ‘wows’ the visitor just as its owner intended.
Built for show rather than with battle in mind, it still held off Oliver Cromwell’s forces for 13 weeks in one of the last sieges of the Civil War. The castle was eventually taken and was systematically destroyed by parliament. Enough remains to still impress.
Raglan was begun in the 1430s, rather late in the day for castle building. Unfashionably late by some 150 years! Despite this, mod cons such as massive mullioned windows brought the design bang up-to-date, bathing rooms in luxurious light. The Buttery which is located behind the Great Hall has reopened to the public. Come and see where an episode of BBC’s Merlin was filmed.
Image © Crown copyright (2025) Cadw
Offer for YAC Pass holders:
Free entry with a valid YAC Pass Card when accompanied by a paying adult