Castle ruins tend to come hand in hand with political tensions and war.

That’s typically why they’re ruins in the first place. Built to keep certain folk in and certain folk out, during the 13^th century, castles were being knocked up and then knocked right back down like they were made of LEGO® bricks.

Standing only a few miles from the Welsh-English border, Dolforwyn Castle had a mighty task on its hands in staying upright.

In 1277, the same year the Welsh finished constructing the castle, the English came to capture it.

100 years later, it was little more than what remains today.

Breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside

Arriving at the castle, you’ll soon understand what all the fuss was about.

Standing high above the countryside, watching the River Severn wind its way through the land, fields stretch into England on one side and the Welsh landscape dominates the other.

The thing about castles being strategically positioned up high? The views of the surrounding area are always incredible.

Take a moment to pause, to really look at the landscape around you, and appreciate how beautiful the UK countryside is.

Wandering around the castle ruins, you’ll be convinced the walls grow out of the very earth itself.

Exposed brick and crumbling mortar turn at sharp angles and rise at some points to the heights of surrounding trees.

Long grasses hide the lower parts of walls and cover large patches inside the castle.

Find a comfy little seat to take a moment and admire the trees bordering the castle as well as the spectacular views.

Keep an eye out on your explorations. Excavations of the site have been conducted where stone catapult balls and silver coins were uncovered dating back to the 13^th century.

Perhaps the very rock you’re kicking along your way was catapulted in to break down the castle walls all that time ago.

History and legends combine

According to ancient legend, the British princess Sabrina became goddess of the River Severn after her scorned stepmother drowned her in the waters near Dolforwyn Castle.

Was that wind you heard, bustling through the grounds? Or the whispers of Sabrina crossing the land? You’ll have to decide that one for yourself.

Later, the main tensions became between Llywelyn ap Gruffydd at Dolforwyn and King Edward I at nearby Montgomery Castle.

You can imagine it now, Llywelyn staring out east and King Edward I, atop the walls of Montgomery Castle, glaring back at him from the west, the waters of the Severn and the spirit of Sabrina standing between them.

Walking to the castle

The walk from the car park to the castle is quite steep, but heart thumping and legs tingling, the views when you arrive at the top will make the climb easily worth it.