Longtown Castle
Herefordshire, England
Photo: John H Darch, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Colin Park, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Hchc2009, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
- Nearest station
- Abergavenny, 9.7 miles (straight-line)
Pinpoint
Llanwonog Ln, Longtown, Hereford HR2 0LE
Telephone 0370 333 1181
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
Open any reasonable time during daylight hours
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- Limited off-road parking is available by the castle entrance.
- Dogs
- Dogs on leads are welcome.
- Safety
- Steep steps to the keep can be slippery in wet weather; no climbing permitted.
A round keep - one of only a handful left in England - rising from earthworks in the Herefordshire hills. Reviewers trace the site's origins to a possible Roman fort before the Normans rebuilt in stone; it's unstaffed and free, so what's standing is all there is.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The round keep itself, though check before travelling - visitors report the internal walkway has been closed pending repair funding.
Before you go
There's no signage from the road and the entrance is easy to miss; treat it as a short stop on a longer walk, not a destination on its own.
What visitors say
Longtown Castle reviews · 4.3 / 5 across 328 Google reviews
Reviewers enjoy this small castle ruin set in a friendly village, though several note that a large part of the site is currently fenced off or otherwise inaccessible - including the round keep, closed due to a lack of funding for repairs - which shortens what would otherwise be a longer visit.
Most describe it as a quick 15-30 minute stop, with the well-preserved gatehouse and tower views still considered worthwhile, though there's no on-site parking.
“Nice historical place, pity the round keep was not accessible due to lack of funding for the walk way to be repaired”- John, visitor review
Within reach of Cardiff (34 miles), Bristol (39 miles) - see what else is nearby.
Getting in - what English Heritage says
Steep stairs and uneven surfaces; daylight-hour access only
Taken from English Heritage’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.
Walks at Longtown Castle
Longtown Castle is on our walks roll because a visitor described a walk here in their own review:
“A beautiful little castle ruin in a friendly and pleasant village with good walking routes in the surrounding area.”- Jane Samuels, visitor review
Also worth knowing: the site itself is free to enter and dogs are reported welcome.
Comparing options? See every UK castle with a walk visitors describe.
One visitor's account, not a route guide. We hold no distances, waymarks or start points. For the actual route, check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map before you set out, and treat coastal and clifftop paths as weather- and tide-dependent.
History
Walter de Lacy · 11th century
Established in the 11th century by Walter de Lacy on the site of a Roman fort, the castle was rebuilt in stone by Gilbert de Lacy after 1148 with a distinctive circular keep design. It declined in importance by the 14th century but was briefly refortified by Henry IV in 1403.
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.
- Parking
- “There is no parking on site but the street outside may be sufficient depending on how busy the site is when you attend.” - Mike K
- Terrain & accessibility
- “The gate house, inner bailey wall and tower are all well preserved and the short climb up the tower steps is rewarded with stunning views of the nearby valley.” - Mike K
- Facilities
- “There are few picnic benches here so you can have lunch if weather allows.” - Gr3at White
Common questions about Longtown Castle
Where is Longtown Castle?
Longtown Castle is in Herefordshire, England, at Llanwonog Ln, Longtown, Hereford HR2 0LE.
Is Longtown Castle free to visit?
Yes - Longtown Castle is a free, open-access site with no ticket booth, looked after by English Heritage. 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.
Are there walks at Longtown Castle?
Visitor reviews describe walking here - one reviewer wrote: “A beautiful little castle ruin in a friendly and pleasant village with good walking routes in the surrounding area.”. That is one visitor's account rather than a route guide, so check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map for distances, paths and start points before setting out.
What is the highlight of visiting Longtown Castle?
The round keep itself, though check before travelling - visitors report the internal walkway has been closed pending repair funding.
Is Longtown Castle a ruin or still intact?
Longtown Castle is a partial ruin.
