Longtown Castle
Herefordshire, England
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
More castles in Herefordshire →
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
