Clifford Castle and Barbican, Medieval castle ruins in Clifford, England
Clifford Castle is a medieval fortress ruin in England with twin defensive towers flanking its entrance and stone walls that still stand in places. The site occupies a ridge overlooking where the River Wye could be crossed.
The fortress was founded in 1070 by William FitzOsbern to secure Norman control over the region. It stood as a defensive point protecting the settlement and its significant crossing point on the river.
The site carries the legacy of Rosamund Clifford, whose story permeates local place names and shapes how people understand this corner of England. Her connection to the area remains woven into the region's identity today.
The site remains part of a private estate, so access is not always open to the public. Visitors should check current conditions and available visiting times before planning a trip.
Early 20th-century excavations uncovered military arrowheads and pottery that reveal the fortress's daily life and defensive past. These discoveries offer a tangible connection to how people lived and fought at the site.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.