Places Stories

This wonderfully preserved fortification, with a round keep unusual for English castles, is tucked away on the edges of Herefordshire, but is well worth making the journey to.

As you drive towards Longtown from Ewyas Harold the landscape opens up, with the surrounding hills providing a dramatic backdrop to the village.

The village post office and stores, with a large car park, and well stocked shelves, is on the left as you drive in.

Turn right in front of the crown pub, and then immediately right again, and drive up the hill towards the village school.

After three quarters of a mile look out for a grassy area on the right, with some striking cottages opposite.

How to get to Longtown castle

Park on the road here, and the path to the castle is on the left - you can see the outer walls, which are very close to the road.

The site is maintained by English heritage, and is dotted with information boards giving the history of the castle.

You walk along the outer wall to find the gatehouse, sadly without it original two towers.

Walking through this takes you to the impressive castle mound - 35 feet high - topped by the distinctive round keep.

There are steps on the left to take you up to the keep - its worth the climb as the views from the far side are excellent.

The keep was once the site of the gallows – the last person to be hanged there was William Jones, who has poisoned his wife, and was executed in 1790 at Hereford and his body brought back to Longtown to hang.