Tretower Court and Castle
Tretower, Powys
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Quick Guide
See below grid for details
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Tretower castle is in the village of Tretower,
near Crickhowell. It was originally a motte and bailey castle and in the 12th
century a shell-keep was added and by the 13th century a circular keep was added
inside the shell keep. In the 1300's residential buildings, now called
Tretower Court, were constructed away from the original fortifications and the
castle fell into disuse.
 
When visiting you in fact enter the Tretower
Court first, and then walk through the grounds of this into the castle area. It
is primarily the 13th century keep that remains in ruin. Originally it was three
storeys high with a basement. It was designed to give a garrison a clear field
of fire over the outer parapet. It was joined to the outer curtain wall by a
bridge. Inside a single room with a fireplace and windows shows it was intended
for residential use.
By the 14th century Tretower Court appears to
have become the residential part of this site and has developed and grown to the
needs of its residents over the period. During the 16th century it came into the
hands of the Vaughan family who over the years undertook extensive works when
they left the house became a farm and some of the buildings were adapted as
barns and sheds.
Today Tretower Court can be seen with its
central courtyard, with buildings on all 4 sides, and you enter it through its
gatehouse and there are various rooms to explore on two levels. Many of
the rooms have extensive woodwork in them especially in the gallery with sliding
wooden shutters, and the panelled timber partitions in the hall. Outside the
castle is accessed via the grounds of Tretower Court and the keep and castle
walls are at the rear of a farm. There is also a recreated medieval garden
within the grounds.
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Location: Tretower Castle, nr Crickhowell,
Powys |
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Grid Reference:
SO184212 |
Ceremonial County:
Brecknockshire
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Map Link:
StreetMap
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Aerial photo:
Google Aerial
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Getting there: From the A40 take the A479
towards Crickhowell. The castle is on the roadside at the village of
Tretower. |
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Access: |
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Website:
CADW
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Other Useful Websites:
Castles of Wales
Wiki
ecastles
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Email: |
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Address: Tretower, Crickhowell, Powys |
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Postcode: NP8 1RF |
Telephone: |
Opening Times: 1 Apr-31 Oct Daily 10am-5pm;
1 Nov-31 Mar Fri & Sat 10am-4pm and Sun 11am-4pm |
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Charges: Adult: £4; Reduced Rate £3.60; Family
(2+ all children under 16) £11.60; Child Under 5 FREE; Disabled Visitor +
companion: FREE |
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Nearby Locations: |
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Other Location Pages: |
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Other Relevant Pages:
Tretower
Court & Castle
Castles of Wales
How to photograph a
castle
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Notes: Assistance Dogs only
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