Brecon Castle

Brecon Castle stands in the town of Brecon, Wales, beside the rivers Usk and Honddu. Built in 1093 by Norman lord Bernard de Neufmarché, it was the first stone castle in Wales. The Normans used stones taken from the nearby Roman town of Caer Badden. Its position where the rivers meet gave it both protection and power for mills. The castle changed hands many times, passing through families like de Braose, Bohun and Stafford. The castle saw frequent Welsh attacks in the 13th and 15th centuries, with sieges in 1215, 1264 and 1403 causing serious damage. It was last besieged in 1645 during the Civil War. A shell keep replaced the wooden tower in the late 12th century, and stone walls and towers were added in the 13th and 14th centuries. By the end of the Georgian era it had fallen into ruin. Today the castle is a Grade I listed building and operates as a hotel. Visitors find a restored shell keep, stone walls and two towers—one round, one semi-octagonal—along with a 14th-century hall block. The riverside setting remains a key feature of the site. The hotel occupies the renovated ruins, blending historic stonework with modern comforts.