Goodrich Castle

The castle was built on a summit of rock high above the River Wye. A pale red sandstone keep was constructed in the middle of the 12th century.

Today the keep is 60 feet tall but it was originally much higher and would probably have had with battlements.

During the latter part of the 13th century the owners, the de Valence family, transformed the simple tower into a great stronghold. Four immense walls were built around the keep and at three corners they built cylindrical towers with square bases. On the fourth corner a great gatehouse was constructed. This led out to a semi-circular barbican which was designed to force any attackers to make a right-angled turn to reach the gateway leaving them vulnerable to the missiles and arrows of the defenders. The castle was also provided with drawbridges, great doors and portcullises well supplied with loops for the castle's bowmen.

Built on sturdy bedrock and surrounded by a deep moat the castle was very well defended.

A chapel was built in the gatehouse and inside the walls domestic buildings were constructed including a large hall, solar and kitchens.

These buildings are well preserved. Although domestic buildings were included the castle was primarily designed as fortress.