Clan Rising
Newcastle Castle today

Wales · Ruin

Newcastle Castle

Y Castell Newydd

Newcastle Castle is a medieval stone castle sited on Newcastle Hill overlooking the centre of Bridgend in Glamorgan, South Wales. Originating as a Norman fortification, its late 12th-century curtain wall and two square towers survive in ruined form and the site is now managed by Cadw.

Recreate this castle →Defend this castle →

Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1106

Its prime

1185

Today

Ruin

As it stood in 1185

What Newcastle Castle looked like in its prime.

Perched on Newcastle Hill above Bridgend, the castle in its prime was an enclosed stone stronghold: a roughly 40-m-long courtyard bounded by 2-m-thick curtain walls, pierced by a late 12th-century Norman doorway. Two square towers flanked the walls; the south tower rose three storeys, while the west tower stood opposite. The masonry comprised finely worked stone blocks with tightly coursed faces; the whole lay prominently over the town below.

Its story

The story of Newcastle Castle.

Newcastle Castle sits on Newcastle Hill overlooking the centre of Bridgend. It was originally believed to date from 1106, when a ringwork was created here by the Norman baron Robert Fitzhamon, one of three castles the Normans built in the area alongside Coity and Ogmore, and the most westerly point of Fitzhamon's lordship, held by his loyal knight William de Londres.

The defences were strengthened either by William Fitz Robert, 2nd Earl of Gloucester, shortly before his death in 1183, or by Henry II, who took over the lordship of Glamorgan on William's death, most likely in response to the uprising in Glamorgan led by the Welsh Lord of Afan, Morgan ap Caradog. The late 12th-century curtain wall and two square towers survive from this phase.

In 1217 ownership changed again, resting briefly with the Anglo-Norman baron Gilbert Fitz Richard, who that same year handed the castle to Gilbert de Turberville, though de Turberville preferred to continue living at Coity Castle. Today the castle is ruinous, its fine stonework in the care of Cadw.

Step inside

7 places to explore in 1185.

The record describes 7 distinct spots at Newcastle Castle, including 2 interiors: central courtyard, upper chamber of the south tower. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from Bridgend belowCurtain wall with Norman doorwaySouth tower exteriorSite of the west towerCentral courtyardOn the curtain wall between towersUpper chamber of the south tower

Build Your Own Castle

Recreate Newcastle Castle with AI to explore it.

The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1185, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

Recreate this castle →Defend this castle →

Whose castle

Clans who held Newcastle Castle.

The families that held Newcastle Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Fitzhamon

    Robert Fitzhamon created the ringwork about 1106 as the westernmost castle of his lordship of Glamorgan.

  • de Turberville

    Handed to Gilbert de Turberville in 1217, though he preferred to continue living at Coity Castle.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Newcastle Castle.

Cardiff City Stadium, WalesStadiumCardiff City Stadium27 km awayMillennium Stadium, WalesStadiumMillennium Stadium28 km awayLiberty Stadium, WalesStadiumLiberty Stadium28 km away

Questions about Newcastle Castle

What is the history of Newcastle Castle?

Newcastle Castle began as a Norman ringwork in the early 12th century, created to mark the westernmost extent of Robert Fitzhamon's lordship of Glamorgan. Its defences were strengthened in the late 12th century with a curtain wall and two square towers, probably in response to an uprising led by Morgan ap Caradog. Ownership changed several times before Gilbert de Turberville received the castle in 1217.

What is inside Newcastle Castle?

Newcastle Castle contains a central courtyard and an upper chamber in the south tower. The courtyard was enclosed by curtain walls, while the south tower survives to three storeys. The upper chamber formed part of living quarters remodelled in the 16th century, when Tudor windows and fireplaces were added.

Who owns Newcastle Castle?

Newcastle Castle is owned and managed by Cadw. It is also a Grade II* listed building, with that designation recorded since 1986, and is described as a scheduled monument and National Monument of Wales. Cadw’s care includes the surviving fine stonework of the ruin.

Why was Newcastle Castle built, and what was it used for?

Newcastle Castle was built as a Norman frontier stronghold marking the westernmost extent of Robert Fitzhamon's lordship of Glamorgan. Its later curtain wall and towers strengthened the defences, probably in response to the uprising in Glamorgan led by Morgan ap Caradog. Gilbert de Turberville later preferred Coity Castle as his residence.

Where is Newcastle Castle?

Newcastle Castle is on Newcastle Hill overlooking the centre of Bridgend in Glamorgan, South Wales. It stands above the town centre and is located in the administrative area of Bridgend. The castle is one of the Norman fortifications built in the area alongside Coity and Ogmore.

When was Newcastle Castle built?

Newcastle Castle was first raised in 1106, placing its origins in the early 12th century. The original work was a ringwork, while the surviving curtain wall and two square towers belong to a later strengthening phase in the late 12th century. The exact date of that later work is disputed between the period before 1183 and the reign of Henry II.

Which family or clan held Newcastle Castle?

Newcastle Castle was held by the Fitzhamon and de Turberville families at different stages. Robert Fitzhamon created the ringwork about 1106 as the westernmost castle of his lordship of Glamorgan. In 1217, Gilbert de Turberville received the castle, although he preferred to live at Coity Castle.

What did Newcastle Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Newcastle Castle was an enclosed stone stronghold with a roughly 40-metre-long courtyard and curtain walls about 2 metres thick. A late 12th-century Norman doorway pierced the walls, which were flanked by two square towers. The south tower rose three storeys, and the finely worked stone masonry stood prominently above the town.

Is Newcastle Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Newcastle Castle is now a ruin, although its late 12th-century curtain wall and two square towers survive. Only the base of the west tower remains, while the south tower retains three storeys. Some fine stonework, including the Norman doorway, is still present.

Can you visit Newcastle Castle?

Newcastle Castle can be visited as a public historic site under the care of Cadw. It is open throughout the year, and a small parking area adjoins the site. Access for wheelchair users is restricted by a flight of 10 steps between the two main grassland levels.

More castles of Wales

Dale Castle, WalesDale CastlePencoed Castle, WalesPencoed CastleTretower Castle, WalesTretower Castle
All castles of Wales · Castles of Europe · the best castles in Europe · explore the finished reconstructions.