Caergwrle Castle, Medieval castle ruins on hilltop in Hope, Wales.
Caergwrle Castle consists of stone ruins standing on a 130-meter hill, with remnants of thick walls and a circular tower base still visible. The structure spreads across the hilltop and allows views across the surrounding landscape.
The site was built in 1277 by Dafydd ap Gruffydd after receiving land from Edward I, marking the last fortress constructed by native Welsh rulers. A fire in 1283 caused its permanent decline and left it in ruins as it appears today.
The castle shows a blend of English and Welsh building styles that reflects how the two cultures were connected at that time. You can see these differences in the stone walls and tower remains that still stand today.
A walking path from the main street leads to the ruins, with the climb taking about 20 minutes and requiring steady effort going uphill. Good footwear is wise, as the path is steep and the ground underfoot is uneven.
The site once housed Queen Eleanor of Castile before a fire in 1283 destroyed its use as a residence. This brief royal occupation is often overlooked in accounts of the castle's past, yet it shows how important the location was to English rulers.
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