Holt Castle, Medieval castle in Holt, Wales
Holt Castle is a pentagonal ruined castle built on a sandstone ridge beside the River Dee in Wales. Five round towers surround a central courtyard, and the remaining walls stand about 33 feet (10 meters) above the surrounding ground.
Work on the castle began in 1282 under Edward I and John de Warenne, following the defeat of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd and the consolidation of English rule over Wales. After the Civil War in the 17th century, the structure was largely demolished and left to decay.
The name Castrum Leonis, Latin for Lion Castle, comes from a lion carved in stone above the main gate, which visitors can still spot today. This detail was likely a symbol of the power of its builder, John de Warenne, and gives the place a recognizable identity.
A footpath circles the ruins and gives clear views of the different sides of the structure from ground level. After rain the ground can become slippery, so solid footwear makes the walk much easier.
In 1397, King Richard II converted the castle into a royal treasury, using it to store personal wealth rather than as a military base. This shift in purpose makes it a rare example of a border fortress repurposed for royal finance during the medieval period.
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