Ewloe Castle
Flintshire, Wales
Photo: Rept0n1x, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Rept0n1x, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Colin Park, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Cadw
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
- Nearest station
- Shotton, 1.5 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Hidden Welsh castle in woodland; 500m walk across farmland; free
Pinpoint
61 Maes Deri, Deeside CH5 3BZ
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| 1st April - 31st March | Open all year |
Open all year - during reasonable daylight hours
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
A free native Welsh castle tucked into woodland above the Wepre brook, reached by a short walk across farmland - reviewers describe stumbling on it as feeling like discovering a forgotten place.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The seclusion itself - well preserved but genuinely quiet, with reviewers often having it entirely to themselves.
Before you go
Ignore Google Maps' routing down a private road - park in the large layby on the main road instead and walk in from there, about five minutes on a level path.
What visitors say
Ewloe Castle reviews · 4.6 / 5 across 872 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently enjoy Ewloe Castle's unusual, hidden woodland setting, describing it as atmospheric and untouched, with free entry and a short walk from the main road.
One visitor notes the ground can get muddy and slippery after rain, so sturdy shoes are worth bringing, but otherwise the reviews are uniformly enthusiastic about its peaceful, off-the-beaten-path character.
“5 min walk from the main road and along a tidy and relatively even path. Nice place for a picnic and it appears a longer walk is possible but not tried this time”- Robert Pettitt, visitor review
Within reach of Liverpool (15 miles), Manchester (39 miles) - see what else is nearby.
Getting in - what Cadw says
Terrain Level 3 – Moderate difficulty. Approx 500 metres from roadside via farmland. Roughly 40-50 modern steps of low risers; visitors advised to stick to right-hand side using provided steps and handrails.
Taken from Cadw’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
History
Llywelyn ab Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great) · 13th century
This native Welsh castle was begun in the early thirteenth century by Llywelyn the Great, though exact dates remain uncertain-estimates range between 1213 and 1237. Llywelyn ap Gruffudd rebuilt and strengthened it in 1256-57. The distinctive D-shaped keep and circular tower stood as a stronghold against English encroachment in north-east Wales.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Facilities
- “Nice place for a picnic and it appears a longer walk is possible but not tried this time” - Robert Pettitt
Common questions about Ewloe Castle
Where is Ewloe Castle?
Ewloe Castle is in Flintshire, Wales, at 61 Maes Deri, Deeside CH5 3BZ.
Is Ewloe Castle free to visit?
Yes - Ewloe Castle is a free, open-access site with no ticket booth, looked after by Cadw. There may still be a charge for nearby parking, and open-access arrangements can change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel.
What is the highlight of visiting Ewloe Castle?
The seclusion itself - well preserved but genuinely quiet, with reviewers often having it entirely to themselves.
Is Ewloe Castle a ruin or still intact?
Ewloe Castle is a ruin - Hidden Welsh castle in woodland; 500m walk across farmland; free.
