Goodrich Castle, Herefordshire

16th September 2014

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Set near the Anglo-Welsh border this castle is considered one of the best preserved of all English medieval castles. 
1176 - Richard Strongbow de Clare builds a castle keep
1219 - castle defences were upgraded by William Marshal
Late 1200s - castle mostly rebuilt by William de Valence, after being given to him by his half brother Henry III
1646 - Civil War - after a 2 month siege the Royalist garrison was forced to surrender to Parliamentarians. The castle sustained a lot of damage during the Civil War as a result of mortar fire

This castle is set in a lovely setting and is very intact. There are good views of the castle on your approach. There is lots to see here including the canon “Roaring Meg” which is the only surviving mortar from the Civil War. “Roaring Meg” was designed to fire gun powder filled shells weighing 85kg which was the only mortar able to penetrate Goodrich castle defences. There is a lovely chapel with stain glass windows. The castle has also been used as a filming location for the BBC series, Merlin.

Owned by English Heritage
Designated parking
Shop, tea room, toilets 
Guidebooks and audio tours available
Dogs are allowed 

N & K

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