The Friends of Usk provide a plan and illustrated history and propose urgent works and improvements to this Norman castle in Wales.

Two old postcard views and brief history from Data Wales. Raglan Castle, near Usk in South Wales, was "one of the last true castles ever to have been built in England and Wales". It has been called one of the finest late-medieval buildings in the British Isles. (The picture above is taken from an old postcard view and shows the entrance covered with ivy - now removed.) The castle site is still dominated by the ruins of the Great Tower, originally built by Sir William ap Thomas who had fought at the Battle of Agincourt. This massive tower was designed as a place of last resort in the first half of the 15th century and its gradual additions made it virtually impregnable. Much more of the original tower would be visible today were it not for the "slighting" by the parliamentarian forces after the siege of Raglan Castle in 1646.

Data Wales supplies history, plans and photographs. Invites your views on the proposal to create "Europe's largest all-weather leisure and recreational facility" in the castle grounds. Historic Building Listing. The Secretary of State for Wales is required to compile lists of buildings of special architectural or historic interest. Pencoed Castle is listed as a grade II* building (i.e. considered to be a particularly important building of more than special interest). In practice, listing serves to provide a reference of buildings important to the heritage and acts as a form of protection. Before a listed building can be altered or extended "listed building consent" must be obtained from the appropriate planning authority.

Photograph, very brief history and information on medieval banquets and weddings there from Data Wales. Caldicot Castle in Gwent (Monmouthshire) is often neglected in discussions of the Welsh castles. It is one of the few major castles not within the ambit of CADW (Welsh Historic Monuments) and perhaps this explains the low profile. Within Monmouthshire, however, the castle is much appreciated. The local authority does a great job in making it a valuable community resource. The thumbnails below are links to pictures of the very excellent Lion Rampant group, presenting a picture of medieval combat to a spellbound audience at the castle in June '03.