Celtic Recipes

Llanmelin Wood Iron Age hillfort

Llanmelin Iron Age hillfort

Llanmelin Wood Iron Age hillfort has numerous banks and ditches and is located in a highly defensible position. The Iron Age in Wales dates approximately from c. 800 BC and the beginning of the Roman conquest of Wales in AD 74. It is thought the hillfort was occupied by the Celtic Silures people, who lived in what is now south east Wales. The site is north of Caerwent, Monmouthshire, Wales (Welsh: Caer-went, Sir Fynwy, Cymru)) off the A48 on a minor road where the site is reached by track and then footpath.

Caldicott Castle - Castell Cil-y-coed

Caldicot Castle and trees circa 1800 by Hoare, -Richard Colt, 1758-1838 Byrne, William, 1743-1805 National Library of Wales

Caldicot Castle is built on the site of an late eleventh Norman motte and bailey castle and has an early thirteenth century stone keep, corner towers and curtain wall. A gatehouse was later added.in the fourteenth century. The castle had significant restoration undertaken in the nineteenth century and is an impressive site standing in large landscaped grounds. It is located at Caldicott Monmouthshire, Wales (Welsh: Cil-y-coed, Sir Fynwy, Cymru) off the A48 between Chepstow (Cas-gwent) and Newport (Casnewydd)..

Caerwent Castle - Castell Caerwent and Caerwent Roman Town

Caerwent - part of the Roman remains

Caerwent contains the remains of a substantial Roman settlement covering an area of some forty-four acres and there are significant remains from that period. The castle is now thought to be a fort site from that era. The site is about 5 miles southwest of Chepstow (Welsh: Cas-gwent) off the A48 towards Newport (Welsh: Casnewydd) in southeast Wales (Cymru).

Chepstow, Bulwark Camp

This is a late Iron Age site and made up of an enclosure with a double bank and ditch bordering the River Wye. It is located off the A48 at the end of Alpha Road in Chepstow.

Chepstow Castle - Castell Cas-gwent

Chepstow Castle picture from Cadw

This site overlooks the River Wye and the first Norman castle was built in stone here in the late eleventh century. It was further fortified and rebuilt in the late twelfth century with the addition of walls and towers and residential apartments and these are many of the remains seen today. Chepstow also has the oldest castle doors in Europe. Made of wood and 800 years old. It was the site of military action during the English Civil War and is located in Chepstow off the A48.

Harold's Stones Trellech

Harolds Stones -(Image courtesy of Clive Perrin/Creative Commons)

Harold's Stones are a row of three large standing stones dating to the Bronze Age (c. 2150-800 BC).and are off the A466 south of Monmouth in a field just south from the village of Trellech, Monmouthshire, Wales ( Welsh: Tryleg,  Sir Fynwy, Cymru) along the B4293 road. These stone are aligned and stand at different angles and vary in height, the tallest being almost 13 feet.

Monmouth Castle - Castell Trefynwy

Monmouth Castle, Church, &c : Bridge over the Wye at Monmouth - 1800

Monmouth Castle - Castell Trefynwy was originally built in the mid eleventh century the remains seen today are mainly the twelfth century tower, thirteenth century great hall and parts of the castle walls. It is located in the town of Monmouth, Monmouthshire, Wales (Welsh: Trefynwy, Sir Fynwy, Cymru) off the A40 road.

Raglan Castle - Castell Rhaglan

Reconstruction of Raglan image courtesy of Cadw

Raglan Castle - Castell Rhaglan is a fifteenth century castle and building began on the site of a previous manorial site in 1435. A significant feature of the castle is the 'Great Tower' which was heavily damaged in the English Civil War. It is surrounded by a wall with corner turrets and an impressive double towered gatehouse. The castle is located just north of the village of Raglan, Monmouthshire, Wales (Welsh: Rhaglan, Sir Fynwy, Cymru) off the A450 southeast of Abergavenny (Welsh: Y Fenni).

White Castle (Llantilio Castle) - Castell Gwyn

White Castle image courtesy of Cadw

White Castle - Castell Gwyn is a twelfth century castle on an earlier Norman site. The remains seen today are mainly from the thirteenth century with outer bailey defences and include large twin towered gatehouse and four D-shaped towers surrounded by a moat. The site is close to the villlage of Llantilio Crossenny, Monmouthshire, Wales (Welsh: Llandeilo Gresynni, Sir Fynwy, Cymru) about eight miles northeast of Abergavenny (Welsh: Y Fenni) off the B4521 road.

Abergavenny Castle - Castell Abergavenny

A Norman castle was on this site in 1081. The remains today include a fourteenth century gatehouse and four towers. Abergavenny museum in the castle grounds. The castle in the late twelfth century is noted for the treacherous deed undertaken by William de Broaose in 1175 when he invited Seiyllt ap Dyfnwal and other prominent Welsh guests to celebrate Christmas. He had the Welsh guests murdered and then attacked Seisyllt ap Dyfnwal's Castell Arnallt where he had his wife and child killed. This inspired a Welsh rebellion with Abergavenny castle being burnt. The castle is in the town of Abergavenny on the A40.

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