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History

The strong bank and ditch west of the castle is probably the bulwark of an Iron Age fort.  Charcoal from the site has been dated to the 6th century BC. The invading Normans were quick to recognise the potential of this ready made site.  

Further earthworks were built to form the oval Upper Ward and a large outer bailey, the Lower Ward.  Eventually stone walls enclosed the whole area with no separation between the wards except a rise to the Upper Ward. 

In the late 12th century the earthwork of the Upper Ward was faced with stone and a square gatehouse added.  Despite its defences the castle was attacked and easily taken by Welsh forces in 1257. 

The English owners, the de Camville family, decided to make improvements to the defences.  In the mid and late 13th century a wall was constructed around the outer ward with several towers and a huge double-towered gatehouse.  During the Tudor period the gatehouse was converted from a defensive building into a comfortable residence.  

After this period the castle deteriorated considerably and for many years farm buildings stood all along the curtain walls.  In 1959 the care of the castle passed to the Government and careful restoration has been carried out.