Visits Goodrich Castle
Goodrich Castle is the most splendid in the county of Herefordshire, and one of the best examples of English military architecture. It is still impressive despite its ruinous state. The castle is perched on a rocky spur above the River Wye, four miles southwest of Ross-on-Wye.
Godric’s Castle – no doubt named after Godric Mappestone, who held the land nearby – is first recorded in 1101. Nothing is left of Godric’s stronghold but within the bailey, very close to the later curtain, rises a well-preserved though relatively small Norman keep. Henry II took over the castle, and the keep is generally attributed to him, but the royal accounts record very little expenditure here.
The keep is a tall, square tower with pilaster buttresses and Norman windows. The original first floor entrance was later converted into a window, with a new doorway inserted immediately below.
Strangely enough, the existing curtain and corner towers are not the first on the site. King John granted Goodrich to the mighty William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, and a stone enclosure followed. Some of his masonry is embedded in the present east curtain and the foundations of a round tower underlie the present southwest tower.
A later Earl of Pembroke, William de Valence, tore this structure down and erected his own. His building is contemporary and comparable with the Edwardian castles of Wales. Such a castle is a rarity in England. It is square in plan, the more vulnerable south and east sides being protected by a wide, rock-cut ditch. A thick curtain surrounds the bailey, with massive round towers at three corners and a gatehouse occupying the fourth. Each tower rises from a solid square base, which sinks back into the cylinder in pyramid fashion. Forming spurs. The spurs projecting from the southeast tower are particularly high.
During much of the 14th and 15th centuries the castle was the home to the Talbots, before they abandoned it in favour of more modern accommodation. The empty castle was reoccupied during the Civil War by Parliamentary forces in 1643 and then Royalist forces in 1645. Following their surrender after a two month siege the castle was slighted to prevent any further use.
For more information on Goodrich Castle please see below. For all your travel needs visit us at myroadtotravel.com. For more on Castles visit myroadtoravelblog.com.
Tel: 01600 890538
E-mail: customers@english-heritage.org.uk
Access to castle: Many steps to the courtyard and Great Hall. Upper floors reached via steep stairs, some spiralled. Access to chapel via one step.
Grounds: Accessed via steps; gravel or paved paths.
Visually impaired: Special audio tour included in admission price.
Hearing impaired visitors: Audio tour with hearing loop included in admission price.
Parking: 330m from entrance. To avoid slopes and steps park near the refreshments area. Path to the castle can be muddy in places. Disabled visitors may take their cars along the driveway (marked no entry) to within 15m of the castle entrance on a rough track, closing gate behind them. (please notify custodian in advance).
Toilets:Adapted WCs in car park with level access.
Refreshments:In car park (privately run, open April – September only), with wooden benches outside.
Sphere: Related Content
