Castle Bank

Nearest town:
Llandrindod Wells (6km NW)
OS reference:
SO08725614
OS sheet:
147
Latitude:
52° 11' 43.67 N
Longitude:
3° 20' 8.22 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Castle Bank (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

The natural defences of the eastern flank, looking approx south... note how the main rampart of the northern exclosure acts as a cross-bank.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Sep 27, 2020
Image of Castle Bank (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

Lots of stone still in situ here at this magnificent hill fort.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Sep 27, 2020
Image of Castle Bank (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

Southern enclosure, looking toward the northern... note the twin defence lines of the latter here.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Sep 27, 2020
Image of Castle Bank (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

The inner, southern defences of the northern enclosure, looking south... the main rampart can be seen arcing around to the left, with the southern ‘annex’ beyond.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Sep 27, 2020
Image of Castle Bank (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

Eastern flank of the northern enclosure, looking approx north... I found no trace of any former defences here... although whether there was a token wall back in the day, now fallen and within the scree below, dunno. I would assume not, since the angle is very steep. The traveller is immediately reminded of a similar plan at the great Dinas hill fort overlooking Llyn Clywedog further to the north.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Sep 27, 2020
Image of Castle Bank (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

Sunburst upon the powerful western defences of the northern enclosure, looking approx north.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Sep 27, 2020
Image of Castle Bank (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

Looking across the main entrance to Y Carneddau.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Sep 27, 2020
Image of Castle Bank (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

The unexpectedly well preserved main entrance into the northern enclosure, from the southern.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Sep 27, 2020
Image of Castle Bank (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

Y Carneddau... bearing hill forts and cairns galore ... from the SW corner of the northern enclosure.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Sep 27, 2020
Image of Castle Bank (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

Looking approx south along the very powerful western defences... this really is a first-class hill fort.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Sep 26, 2020
Image of Castle Bank (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

The approach from the north...

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Sep 26, 2020
Image of Castle Bank (Hillfort) by GLADMAN

The superb Castle Bank hill fort from the equally fine ‘fort overlooking Cwm Berwyn to approx SW. I had taken a brief from the previous visitor’s fieldnote and decided to forego a visit... but, clearly, could not disregard the evidence of my own eyes.. consequently re-arranging the itinerary to enable a visit at the end of the week. Exceptional. It would appear Coflein agree.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Sep 26, 2020
Image of Castle Bank (Hillfort) by postman

Looking through the entrance

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Nov 29, 2010

Articles

A quick glimpse of a rather fine hillfort in exceptional countryside.

GLADMAN
GLADMAN Apr 1, 2021

Castle Bank

postman
postman Nov 29, 2010

There is room to park at the western end of the hill, from there proceed more or less directly to the top and this will take you through the entrance to the fort.
When we first arrived here the hill was invisible behind its secretive curtain of fog, but after our revisit to Gelli hill the fort was popping in and out of existence, floating mysteriously on thin veils of mist.
Eric took some coaxing up the hill but after a little bit of reverse psychology, and a few rest breaks to take in the scenery, which also popped in and out of our reality, we made it to the entrance, which if i’m honest hasn’t fared too well over the last two millenia. Nor are the banks and ditches that impressive, sometimes grassed over and in other places the tumbled walls have scattered themselves down the hill in a wide spread.
There are no earthworks on the steeper northern slope, and a small modern cairn marks the top of the hill, presumably for folk that can’t tell when there at the top.
So it isnt one of the best hillforts in Wales, but as ever it was a treat to be out in the Welsh wilds wlth my son and time to spend in the hills, the weather which had so hampered us earlier now made it all the better, a view would open up and morning glow would fill the void, then close and open up elsewhere, we were shown the view slowly peice by peice.
It is a bit cold though, time for some grub, and away we go.

Miscellaneous

Castle Bank
Hillfort
postman
postman Mar 15, 2008

We didn’t have much time left and I promised Eric we could go to Ludlow castle, so I made do with these misty pics from the road.
Coflein describes it thus..
An elongated defended enclosure, 270m by 70-32m, laid out NNE-SSW above steep slopes to the E, defined by banks and scarps, having an entrance at the furthest SW point, beyond which is a further enclosed area, 120m by 30-50m; additional banks also extend the work to the N.

Hillforts/defended enclosures are really great because they combine two of my greatest loves ancient history and sitting around on hilltops daydreaming.

Sites within 20km of Castle Bank

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