After the visit to White Castle as seen on our previous Blog we explored another one of the three castles of Gwent, Built to guard and dominate the main route between Hereford and Wales, Grosmont was built in the second half of the 11th century by the earl of Hereford, William Fitz-Osbern. Join us as we venture around Grosmont Castle.
As with Skenfrith, King John gave the three castles to Hubert De Burgh, who was a growing royal official, and someone who had experience of fighting in France, as well as someone who was familiar with military architecture. The first castle they built was wooden but it was soon replaced by a stronger building in stone.
What makes Grosmont so striking and romantic, is its red sandstone that gives the walls that beautiful contrast of a reddish colour mixed in with moss and ivy and surrounding parts of the curtain wall. You can get some amazing photos of just the entrance here but you also get a sense of how grand this castle was meant to be from its impressive gatehouse, the high curtain walls and the three stone towers that dominate your first impression.
This ruin is surprisingly still quite intact and with its jagged edges and crumbled windows you can gaze through and get different perspectives of the castle and see how the rooms would have formed back then.
You can climb a set of stairs to the top of the curtain wall of the south west tower where A short series of steps takes you through the grand entrance door of the tower and up to first floor level, connecting with a 40 foot-long walkway on top the westernmost castle wall. You can gaze out and see the two storey hall block from an aerial perspective, and you can understand just how high the curtain walls are, It’s amazing to do at a castle considering how much has fallen into decay.
Grosmont is relatively small in size, but once inside you feel as if the castle has more to it and there are useful information boards around the site with artist’s impressions showing you how the castle was built which helps you visualise this castle more. the site is not often visited, in part due to the rather remote location, away from major roads, but we think it makes it more special.
I think what always draws you towards most castles is there entrances, like grand and lavish gatehouses but this one in particular I think is made more impressive by the wooden drawbridge, although unfortunately the 14th century drawbridge no longer remains, the short but striking walk to enter the castle is beautiful. Whilst you are crossing the bridge you can see on both sides that it is protected by a wide moat, 20 metres across within a system of ditches and banks.
Visiting Grosmont is a must do if you are exploring South Wales, and the Monmouthshire area, even better still you should visit the three castles as they have their similarities but also they equally all have their own identity. They really are the ruined hidden gems of wales, steeped in history but barely known about.
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Till Next Time!
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