CASTELL NANT-Y-GOF BWLCH

'Gwernogle Castle'

Conjectural Reconstruction of the Castle
as it might have been in the later 13th Century

KEY

A -- Guards' Hall
B -- Arming Room
C -- Garderobe
D -- Armoury (Watch Tower)
E -- Guard Room
F -- Gatehouse
G -- Stairs to wall walk and top of gatehouse
H -- Stairs to servants' quarters
I -- Garderobe
J -- Garderobe
K -- Oratory
L -- Prison
There was a postern gate leading out to
the edge of the crag (emergency exit)

The castle consisted of four distinct sections. (1) The Keep, which provided accommodations for the lord; (2) The Great Hall and Presence Chamber, which was the 'public' area where the lord entertained and conducted business; (3) The Kitchen and Service wing; and (4) The Garrison wing.

All but the Keep and northern portion of the Great Hall is now in a very ruinous condition, although the western curtain wall and the outer portion of the watch tower still stand almost to their full original height. The southern part of the castle is a heap of rubble, making interpretation of the structure very difficult until a full excavation can be undertaken.

Note: this plan of the castle is very clean-cut and specific. In actuality, it is totally ruined apart from the Keep and fragments of the curtain wall and foundations of other buildings. The whole site is overgrown with vegetation, piles of earth-covered stone rubble -- and there are even adders lurking in it. Although access to the site is open, be careful when exploring it. When built, this was really a 'low-budget' deal, even for the generally impoverished Welsh Princes. The mortar used, except in the curtain walls and towers, was especially bad, the construction being pretty shoddy for the most part. Where straight lines are shown on the plan, expect uneven alignments, even where the walls still stand. Here is a reduced plan showing the existing site: