Visit to Clifford Castle on June 15th

On a lovely Friday evening on June 15th 2018, a group of 22 members and friends enjoyed a private visit , guided by owner Keith Hill, to Clifford Castle.

Recent funding by Historic England and the Castles Studies Trust has involved a project to provide much better understanding of what was one of the most important castles on the Welsh border, situated right on the River Wye. Founded, by William fitzOsbern Earl of Hereford, cousin and key henchman of William the Conqueror and became the centre of a marcher lordship held by the Cliffords in the 12th and 13th Century and the Mortimers in the 14th Century. The castle saw no military action apart from when Walter Clifford’s men briefly held the castle against King Henry III as part of the Earl of Pembroke’s revolt in 1233. Its claim to fame was that it was where “Fair Rosamund” Clifford, mistress of Henry II, grew up.

We explored the castle and and heard about what has been uncovered by the project. After a short steep climb up to the tower we marvelled at the fabulous views from the top. A number of members remembered visiting the castle before the recent work to uncover and stabilise the walls, particularly at the entrance which had previously been hidden. See more pictures on our Events page.

There is limited parking available so car sharing is suggested.