We enjoyed a hot & sunny summer this year but the immediate forecast was for rain and thunderstorms in the coming week. Fortunately, the weather forecast for Tuesday 26th August was dry, sunny and warm, so we set off for Skenfrith Castle, a short (15 mile) drive from Hereford.
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| Photo 1: Circular Keep, Skenfrith Castle (August 2025) |
This ruined fortification has its origins with the Norman Conquest of England though it was remodelled and rebuilt in the 13th Century for Hubert de Burgh, Earl of Kent. Skenfrith was one of the Three Castles, along with Grosmont Castle and White Castle, that controlled the border country between England and Wales. Situated on the banks of the River Monnow, it guarded one of the main routes between the two countries. Skenfrith Castle is Grade II listed.
Entry to the castle is free making it a popular place for family picnics, ball games and wild swimming in the nearby river.
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| Photo 2: Picnics and Ball Games inside the Castle Walls |
The circular keep housed the living quarters of the Lord of the Manor and was also the last line of defence when the castle was under attack.
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| Photo 3: Heavily Fortified Keep, Skenfrith Castle (August 2025) |
After our picnic inside the castle walls, we set off on a
short walk (2 - 3 miles) to include St Bridget's Church just down the road from the castle.
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| Figure 1: Kamoot's 2.6 Mile Circular Walk Starting at the Castle |
First stop was
St Bridget's Church, just
a stone's throw away from the castle. The story behind St Bridget is rather confused to my mind and rather typical of mythology. I found these links (
1,
2,
3,
4) but they didn't tie in exactly with the story I was told of blind St Bridget landing at St Bride's Bay. Please explain if you can!
In any case, the doorway into the church was rather interesting with its notice to both '
mind your head' and '
watch your step'. Flooding of the nearby River Monnow seems to be an issue in Skenfrith so perhaps the raised
threshold offered some protection. The
unintended consequence of watching your step is that you wouldn't be paying sufficient attention to avoid bumping your head!
We both successfully negotiated the doorway and entered the
church built in the 12th Century but with later additions/modifications in the 14
th, 16
th, 19
th and 20
th centuries ...
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| Photo 4: Entrance to St Bridget's Church, Skenfrith (August 2025) |
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| Photo 5: The Skenfrith Cope, St Bridget's Church, Skenfrith (August 2025) |
There were also some interesting architectural features such as this
fine stone chest tomb of John Morgan, a local bigwig who died in 1557 ...
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| Photo 6: John Morgan's Tomb (August 2025) |
a rather good example of a wagon roof ...
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| Photo 7: Wagon Roof at St Bridget's Church, Skenfrith (August 2025) |
some nice 14th Century wall paintings ...
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| Photo 8: 14th Century Wall Murals, St Bridget's, Skenfrith (August 2025) |
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| Photo 10: Font, St Bridget's Church, Skenfrith (August 2025) |
Unsurprisingly, St Bridget's is a Grade I listed building.
Time was getting on so we set off on our circular walk which involved a bit of a climb along a road before setting off across fields (sheep grazing) to a wood. There were quite a lot of fallen trees in the wood which blocked the path; so rather more clambering and
limbo dancing than we had anticipated. The benefit of the initial climb was the excellent views looking down on the surrounding countryside.
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| Photo 11: Views of the Monmouthshire Countryside (August 2025) |
As we neared the end of our walk, we gazed down on Skenfrith Castle (Photo 12) ...
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| Photo 12: Skenfrith Castle and the End of the Walk (August 2025) |
... which makes you wonder about the location of the castle - the attacking forces would have the benefit of the high ground.
The weather turned cooler and wetter the next day so we made an excellent choice to enjoy the countryside and learn something new.
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