Castell Dinas, Talgarth, United Kingdom

Castell Dinas is a hillfort and castle in southern Powys. At 450 m it has the highest castle in England and Wales. It is positioned to defend the Rhiangoll pass between Talgarth and Crickhowell.

This site was originally an Iron Age, 600 BC to 50 AD, hillfort. A fortified Norman castle with stone walls was built on the site possibly by William Fitz Osbern or his son Roger de Breteuil, Earl of Hereford in the period 1070 to 1075. The castle was eclipsed with the building of Brecon castle before April 1093. The fortress seems to have been constructed in stone from the first with a hall-keep surrounded with curtain walls and square towers. Historically the castle remained a part of Brecon or Brycheiniog barony until 1207 when King John of England granted it to Peter FitzHerbert. It then became caput of what was to become the Talgarth or Blaenllyfni barony.

The castle was sacked by Prince Llywelyn ab Iorwerth in October 1233 and subsequently refortified by King Henry III of England before being returned to Peter Fitz Herbert. The castle was again captured by Llywelyn's grandson, Prince Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in the period 1263 to 1268. The castle was finally destroyed by the adherents of Owain Glyndŵr in the early 15th century rebellion.

What remains now are crumbling walls mainly covered with earth and the outlines of ditches and ramparts from the original Iron Age fortifications, commanding extensive views up into the Black Mountains and over Talgarth towards Brecon.

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Sigmaringen Castle

Sigmaringen Castle was first mentioned in the year 1077 in the chronicles of Petershausen monastery. The oldest parts of the castle are concealed beneath the alterations made during the 17th and the 19th centuries. The secret of the earliest settlement built on this defendable rock will never be fully revealed: large-scale excavation work would be necessary, which the extensive land development renders impossible. Judging from the many Roman remains unearthed in the area around Sigmaringen, the 12th century keep known as the 'Roman Tower' could be traced back to a Roman predecessor.

The castle remains that have been preserved (gate, great hall and keep) date back to the Staufer period around 1200. The castle remains were integrated into subsequent buildings. The foundations of the castle buildings are to a large extent identical to the surrounding castle wall.

These remains give us a good idea of how the castle might have looked during the 12th century.

Patrick Jones-O'Brien (3 years ago)
Very steep hike straight up the hillside but well worth it for the view. Large iron age hillfort with the overgrown remains of a Norman castle.

Ian Strachan (4 years ago)
Steep climb to see there’s not much left of the castle but wonderful 360 degree views

Paul Gibson (5 years ago)
Dinas Castle. 1467 feet. Highest castle in England and Wales, now a ruin, been a hillfort there since 600bc.

Nigel “Nige” Friend (5 years ago)
A great walk, views spectacular.

Ben Goddard (5 years ago)
Need some information boards to bring it alive.

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Sigmaringen Castle