Wales’ youngest stone castle, located just off the A40 seven miles southwest of Monmouth, is often driven past by hundreds of Monmouthshire residents on a daily basis

But when was the last time you visited the site which is open for business nearly all year round?.

Raglan castle, which is still owned by the Duke of Beaufort, has many surviving details and unique qualities that members of staff at the castle, as well as Cadw, believe need to be experienced by all.

The castle’s construction began in the 1430s by Sir William ap Thomas which was then continued after his death in 1445, by his son.

Today the castle is maintained by Cadw (Welsh Historic Monuments) on behalf of the secretary of state for Wales.

Custodian Jim Fanning explained that the castle gets an average of 100 daily visitors at this time of year and between 500-1000 visitors during peak season, which spans Easter to September.

Each visitor spends an average of an hour and a half exploring the enormous late medieval castle.

"A significant number of visitors are people who have been before" stated Jim but he also feels that more people who live locally should be coming to view the castle’s beauty.

Raglan Castle has six members of staff in charge of ensuring visits run smoothly.

This includes three part time members as well as three full time members.

Lead custodian Jill is the longest serving member of staff with 30 years working with Cadw to maintain and display the medieval castle to visitors.

The staff at Raglan castle also do cover shifts at surrounding castles in Monmouthshire.

Jim emphasised Cadw’s focus of ensuring the "accessibility of the visitor while maintaining the integrity of the monument."

Many repairs have recently undergone within the castle including the main staircase and the replacement of the large bay window.

Although expensive, Cadw want to display the history through the castle and the repairs were necessary in allowing that to happen.

The poor weather in February 2020 caused damage to the stairs leading up to the main tower, also known as the Yellow Tower of Gwent.

The repairs on the tower were delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and therefore, the tower couldn’t reopen until July 2021.

The Yellow Tower of Gwent was the main element of the castlewhich was destroyed during the English Civil War and therefore as a predominant feature and a key part of the history of the castle, it was vital to reopen the tower as soon as possible.

Jim said that in order to maintain the castle, Cadw has landscapers employed from Usk as well as in house stonemasons and they occasionally use contractors in order to "preserve the monuments as they came."

Many mason marks can be found in the gatehouse of the castle. These marks would have been used to aid the stonemasons while building the castle. The marks on the stones would have been used to show the direction the stones would face explained Jim. He also stated "it’s the most marks in any castle I’ve seen." The most loyal visitor to Raglan castle was named by Jim as Andrew Tivenan who runs Amicorum, a late 14th century medieval group. Andrew has been visiting the castle for more than 20 years and "he knows the place inside out" and "finds something new in every visit," said Jim. Andrew Tivenan has a particular interest in the mason marks that can be found dotted throughout the castle and states he has been "taking photos of the mason marks on the castle walls over a number of years."

As frequent visitors to the castle, Andrew and his wife also do re-enactment events at the castle.

Andrew organises these re-enactments which includes re-enactors travelling from all over England and Wales to participate.

The next event will be held at the castle on August bank holiday next year.

There are many fine details that have survived within the castle which Jim feels people should experience.

There are many gargoyles that can be spotted perched upon the gatehouse of the castle where some of them had the purpose of being rainwater spouts.

Raglan castle is also home to the unique surviving windows such as the large oriel window at the dais end of the hall, ornate windows found in the hall and original plaster moulding that can be found in a few of the window frames throughout the castle.

Window badges and shield above the State Apartments are also one of the surviving features of the medieval castle and can be seen from the Yellow tower of Gwent from across the moat.

Many items from the original castle can now be found in The Beaufort restaurant and hotel in Raglan, after being removed from the castle in the beginning of the 20th century when it was abandoned.

Jim says that the original stone fireplace from the castle was placed in the lounge of The Beaufort. As well, the wooden structure that divided the living and sleeping quarters of the castle can now be found in the foyer of the restaurant.

Jim said Henry Tudor, who went on to become Henry VII, "was held as a political hostage as a child at Raglan castle." Although Henry Tudor’s time at Raglan from 1462 is viewed as imprisonment, it was likely that he was treated nicely during his stay. He spent the next seven years learning new sword skills, getting educated and observing battles.

The history surrounding Henry Tudor is a popular aspect within the history of the castle as he then went on to become the King of England in 1485.

Sue, another member of staff at the castle states her favourite element of the castle is looking at the entire castle from the back terraces.

She described the view as "amazing" because "you would think the castle was still intact."

From many angles of the castle, it would seem as if the castle is in the same condition as it was after the extensive construction was completed in 1525 by Sir William Herbert.

Another staff favourite is the views of the Sugar Loaf and the Blorenge from the castle, especially from the Yellow Tower of Gwent.

Raglan castle is open 10am-4pm until March when it then stays open until 5pm.

The castle is only closed on December 24, 25 and 26 and January 1. Ticket prices range from £7.40 for adults, a family ticket up to two adults and three children is £24.40, junior (age 5-17), student as well as Veterans and Armed Forces tickets are £5.20 and a senior ticket (age 65+) is £6.90.

The castle is dog friendly, has accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, picnic tables and disabled access.

Jim says: "I’ve been working here for six years and I always find new things" and encourages people to look for more details around the castle because "there’s so much to see."

Main tower (Yellow tower of Gwent)

Oriel window

Mason marks made by the stone masons

Andrew Tivenan’s photos:

How many times have your driven down the A40 and glanced over to see the impressive outlines of historic Raglan Castle?

Have you every visited the Cadw site or is it a case of you don’t notice what is literallly on your doorstep?

Reporter Lauren Meredith paid a visit to the Cadw site to meet the staff and explore the site.

Here is what she discovered...