Clun Castle

Contact Details

• Clun
• Shropshire
• SY7 8JT

• Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk

Description

The dramatic riverside ruins and extensive earthworks of a Welsh Border Norman Castle, it's tall keep unusually set on the side of it's mound.

Clun Castle was built in the motte and bailey style around the 1100's by the Norman, Robert de Say. The original castle would have been built from wooden timbers however, as time progressed these would have been replaced with stone, as was typical with most Norman defensive structures.The position of the Castle may have originally been chosen as a good defensive site, close to the Welsh border where any Welsh troublemakers could be kept under Norman control. The proximity of the confluence between the Rivers Clun and Usk had created a rocky outcrop, which could easily have been used to serve as the motte. It was also in a good position to be able to able to control the movements of people on the Clun-Clee Ridgeway, a historic road where cattle was taken from Wales to markets in the Midlands and London.

In 1196, under the leadership of Lord Rhys, records show that Clun castle was besieged by the Welsh. The castle then came into the ownership of the Fitzalan family, who established the surrounding town. The Fitzalan family is perhaps known as establishing Arundel castle in southern England (today the home of the Dukes of Norfolk), but they were also lords of Clun and Oswestry. William Fitzalan died in 1210, however his family remained at the castle for a time continuing to establish the town. The Fitzalan family abandoned Clun Castle in the 1270's to concentrate their efforts on the more impressive, Arundel Castle. After the departure of the Fitzalan's, the castle started to fall into ruin. Several other Welsh Raiders including Owain Glyndwr, attacked the castle with varying degrees of success, however over time Clun castle lost its defensive significance and after Glyndwr's assault, the castle vanishes from the historical records. The remains of the 80-foot tall keep are still standing on the site today. With one wall resting in the ditch and the opposite wall, sitting on the mound. Remnants of the curtain wall which would once have enclosed the motte can still be seen.

Today the town of Clun has grown up around the castle; however the remains of the rectangular keep and two baileys make it a site worth visiting. The castle and grounds are freely visible to the public from motte-level.

Facilities

Directions

From Shrewsbury follow A49 south towards Craven Arms. At Craven Arms follow the A4368 towards Clun.

Opening Times

Disclaimer

The details displayed on this page are correct at the time of publication however, Shropshire Tourism would like to advise all visitors to check prices & opening times with the venue prior to traveling in case of changes that might have occured since the publication of this page. Whilst Shropshire Tourism endeavours to ensure that the information on this site is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its accuracy and Shropshire Tourism does not accept any liability for error or omission. The directions above are for planning purposes only and should be used alongside a general roadmap or satnav system. Variables such as road/construction works, traffic, weather conditions etc may cause alterations to the route.