Stories about people

Grosmont castle is part of the chain of fortifications, built to try and control the volatile Marches area, on the border of Herefordshire and Wales.

The pretty village of Grosmont lies on the B4347 from Ewyas Harold - and to get there you will have to enter Wales, but you can always pretend that you're an invading army, who are no respecters of borders.

How to find Grosmont Castle

As you enter the village you'll see the Angel Inn, and the village Post Office and stores, on the right.

If you park on the street here, you'll see the path to the castle signposted on the left, almost opposite the Post Office.

The whole site is very well maintained - there's a wooden bridge over the deep moat (now dry) and you can walk all the way around the castle from the outside, without getting too out of breath, or having to fight your way through thickets of brambles.

You can read all about the history of the castle on numerous information boards scattered around the walls.

It's also possible to climb to the top of one of the towers, and walk along the ramparts - the view is spectacular, and it's easy to see how strategically important the castle must have been.

Being the Lord of Grosmont castle wasn't the key to a long and successful life:
Earl William Fitz Osbern was killed 1071. Baron Payn Fitz John was killed 1137. Walter Hereford –was killed 1160 (and he only rented the castle). Hubert Burgh almost died of his wounds in 1205.

The Welsh laid siege to the castle in 1405, during the Owain Glyn Dwr rebellion. A relief force from Hereford, sent by the future King Henry v, lifted the siege.

Prince Edmund had the charming nickname of 'Crouchback'.
The name Grosmont may come from the ancient French words for 'big hill'.