Goodrich Castle

Goodrich Castle is many people’s idea of the perfect medieval castle — a mighty red sandstone stronghold rising from solid rock above the River Wye, guarding an ancient crossing on the English–Welsh border for over 900 years. Remarkably complete, gloriously sited in the Wye Valley and packed with towers to climb and a dungeon to brave, it’s one of English Heritage’s finest and a superb family day out in Herefordshire.

Exploring the Castle

First raised by the Saxon landowner Godric soon after the Norman Conquest, Goodrich grew into one of the most advanced castles of its day under William de Valence, half-brother of Henry III. Today you can cross the barbican over the rock-cut moat, wind up spiral stairs to the battlements for breathtaking views towards Symonds Yat and Wales, peer into the Norman keep, and descend into the genuinely pitch-dark dungeon. The excellent free audio tour brings the whole household vividly back to life, and there’s a family game to collect from the ticket office.

Roaring Meg and the Great Siege

Goodrich’s most dramatic hour came in 1646, when Parliament’s Colonel Birch besieged the Royalist garrison for months in one of the hardest-fought sieges of the Civil War. He finally battered the walls into submission with a monstrous mortar nicknamed Roaring Meg — and astonishingly, Roaring Meg herself still sits inside the castle today, with her handiwork plain to see in the shattered Lady’s Tower.

Visiting Goodrich Castle

The castle is just off the A40 near Ross-on-Wye, with parking, a tearoom doing proper cream teas, and a grassy moat made for picnics; English Heritage members go free, and dogs on leads are welcome almost everywhere. It’s open daily through the main season with reduced winter days — check before travelling. The classic Wye Valley pairing is Symonds Yat Rock, ten minutes away, where peregrine falcons soar over one of the great river views of England.

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