Stormy Castle

Stormy Castle stands on a low mound in a quiet field near Cornelly. It is a simple earth-and-stone motte from the 12th century, built without the usual surrounding bailey wall. The Normans introduced this style of defence to Britain and the Welsh quickly adopted it. The site is protected by Cadw and carries the SAM number GM217. It forms part of the largest concentration of such mottes anywhere in Britain, stretching across the historic Welsh Marches. The borderlands—Shropshire, Cheshire, Herefordshire, Powys and Flintshire—are famous for these grassy humps. Visitors find a low, grassy mound with no standing walls. A shallow ditch once ringed the base. From the top there are wide views over the surrounding farmland. The place is quiet, with only the wind and distant traffic breaking the silence.