Ewloe Castle, Welsh fortification built in the thirteenth century. It fell into disuse after the Edwardian conquest, and now sits peacefully in a wood near Connah’s Quay. Free entry, thanks Cadw!

6 comments

1. The building history of the castle is not very well understood. I’m inclined to follow the timeline given by Richard Avent, who was an expert in native Welsh castles, and who suggests the apsidal (D-shaped) tower was built by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great) in the early thirteenth century, and that the round tower and curtain walls were added by Llywelyn ap Gruffydd in about 1257.

   Ewloe is significant as it contains the only example of a Welsh apsidal tower which survives to any height. The form is characteristic of native thirteenth-century castles in North Wales, and can also be found at [Castell y Bere](https://www.castlewales.com/cybere.html), [Caergwrle](https://www.castlewales.com/hope.html), [Carndochan](https://www.castlewales.com/carndoc.html), and [Dinas Brân](https://www.castlewales.com/dinas.html). It combines the benefits of a rectangular tower (like that at [Dolwyddelan](https://castlewales.com/dolw.html)), which allowed for a nice first-floor hall, with those of a round tower and its increased field of fire. In English castles, round and apsidal towers were typically placed so that they projected beyond the curtain wall (e.g. those at [Beaumaris](https://castlewales.com/beaumar.html)) to provide flanking fire, but Welsh castle builders didn’t seem to fully grasp this, and at Ewloe the apsidal tower is enclosed within the curtain and so functions more like a keep. The round tower is a further development, and the best surviving Welsh example is at [Dolbadarn](https://www.castlewales.com/dolbd.html).

   Why a castle was built here is a bit of a mystery. The site has a restricted view on three sides and higher ground to the south, significantly impairing its defensive value, so it’s possible it was built as more of a statement than a serious fortress. There’s also no obvious gateway between the two courtyards, which would have made defence even more difficult.

2. Wepre Parc near it is also a fantastic walk.

3. That looks like it would be really cosy back in the day.

4. Where do you park? Doesn’t look like there’s been much effort to make the place accessible for tourists.

5. https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/castell-ewloe

   https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ewloe_Castle

   Right up north of Wales btw

6. Best money I ever spent was membership to all castles in Wales.