Wilton Castle

Overview

Wilton Castle is a partially ruined Norman fortress situated on the banks of the River Wye near Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, England. Built in the 12th century, it served as both a defensive stronghold and the seat of the powerful Grey family for several centuries. Though much of the structure was damaged during the English Civil War, parts of the keep, curtain wall, and gatehouse still stand, integrated into a later 18th-century mansion. The castle remains a striking landmark on the Wye Valley landscape.

Early history

Wilton Castle was established shortly after the Norman Conquest to guard an important crossing of the River Wye and to control movement along the Welsh border. The original motte-and-bailey structure was likely built in timber by the de Longchamps or Bulmer family before being rebuilt in stone during the 12th century. By the 13th century it had passed to the powerful de Grey family, who became the long-term lords of Wilton and transformed the site into a fortified residence of status and comfort.

Building and layout

The stone castle was built on level ground beside the river and enclosed by a curtain wall with circular towers at the corners and a strong gatehouse on the eastern approach. Within the walls stood a great hall, private apartments, kitchens, and service buildings arranged around a courtyard. The riverside position added natural defence, while the nearby bridge and settlement of Wilton developed under the castle’s protection. Its design combined Norman solidity with later medieval refinement, reflecting the transition from fortress to lordly manor.

Later history and decline

The castle remained in the Grey family’s hands for over four hundred years. During the 17th century, it was garrisoned by Royalist forces in the English Civil War and subsequently besieged and burned by Parliamentarian troops in 1645. The damage left it largely uninhabitable. In the 18th century, a new house was built within the outer walls, incorporating parts of the medieval structure into a Georgian residence. Over time, the castle’s ruins became valued for their picturesque qualities, attracting artists and antiquarians.

Present condition

Today, Wilton Castle survives as an evocative blend of medieval ruin and later domestic adaptation. The circular corner towers, sections of curtain wall, and gatehouse remain standing, alongside the Georgian house that replaced the original hall. The site is privately owned but occasionally open to visitors during local heritage events. Surrounded by gardens and meadows overlooking the River Wye, Wilton Castle retains its medieval outline and continues to embody the layered history of England’s borderlands.