About
Raglan Castle is the grandest statement of late-medieval castle building in Wales. Constructed primarily in the 1430s by Sir William ap Thomas — known as 'the Blue Knight of Gwent' — and continued by his son Sir William Herbert, Raglan was conceived not primarily as a military stronghold but as a great house designed to proclaim the wealth, culture and political ambitions of one of the most powerful Welsh gentry families of the 15th century.
The castle is dominated by the Great Tower — the Yellow Tower of Gwent — a hexagonal keep of extraordinary sophistication that stands semi-detached from the main castle on its own moated platform. This tower, with its machiolated parapet and subtle polygonal geometry, is unlike any other medieval tower in Britain. It was separated from the main castle by a drawbridge, creating a last refuge within a refuge — though Raglan was always more palatial residence than pure fortress.
The main castle enclosure contains the remains of two courtyards — the Pitched Stone Court and the Fountain Court — surrounded by a suite of apartments, great hall, chapel and kitchen that would have housed a household of considerable luxury. The heraldic decoration of the gatehouse, the sophistication of the apartments and the engineering of the water defences all speak of a building designed to impress visitors and to signal membership of the very highest tier of English and Welsh society.
Raglan's military record came late in its history: the castle withstood a Civil War siege of nineteen weeks in 1646, one of the longest sieges of the English Civil War, before surrendering to Parliamentary forces. The Parliamentarians subsequently slighted the Great Tower — reducing it to ruin — and the castle was never rebuilt. Cadw manages the extensive remains today, which are well preserved and richly atmospheric. Open year-round with admission charge.
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Plan Your Visit
📅 Best Times to Visit
💡 Visitor Tips
- Climb to the top of the gatehouse towers if the access is open — the views over the castle courts and surrounding Monmouthshire farmland are excellent.
- Download the Cadw audio guide before arriving — it covers the castle's full history including the remarkable Civil War siege and significantly enhances the visit.
- The Cadw Explorer Pass covers Raglan along with Tintern Abbey, Chepstow Castle and over 130 other Welsh monuments — an excellent investment for anyone visiting more than two Cadw sites.
- Try to walk around the exterior of the Great Tower on its moated island — the hexagonal form is most apparent when seen from outside and gives a clear sense of how unusual this structure is in the British context.
- Bring a picnic — the setting is rural and pleasant, and there is no on-site café. The Beaufort Arms in Raglan village (300 metres) is a good alternative.
- The castle is particularly atmospheric in low autumn or winter light — the warm golden stonework glows in late-day sun and the absence of summer crowds enhances the sense of discovery.
- Combine with a visit to Tintern Abbey (22 km) for a full day of outstanding Monmouthshire medieval heritage — both are Cadw managed, and the combination gives an excellent cross-section of Welsh medieval architecture.
Highlights
Discover the unique exhibits and collections at this museum.
Collections
Raglan Castle — History and Architecture
Interpretation throughout the site covering the construction by the ap Thomas and Herbert families, the Wars of the Roses, the Civil War siege and the subsequent ruination of the castle.
📍 Throughout site and visitor facilities
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.