WIGMORE VILLAGE & CASTLE - 02/10/08

A short walk through Wigmore Village and to the ruins of Wigmore Castle is the subject of this third page of photographs from a visit to the Welsh Borders at the beginning of October. Wigmore is located in the north of the county of Herefordshire not far away from the English border with Wales and very close to the last location featured on Boots and Paws - Croft Castle which is just to the south-east of Wigmore Village along the A4110 road, close to Leominster.

The castle is located a short distance from the centre of the village, it is around half a mile away and is signposted from the castle car park and village centre. The walk is a steady uphill climb to the castle, muddy in sections at the time of our visit and takes you past come of the ancient timber framed buildings in the village such as the Post Office pictured above and through the churchyard of St. James' Church. The small village is a popular place for tourists with accommodation, pubs and a shop all in the centre.
It can be a little confusing after leaving the churchyard to determine which way the castle is from this point but if you carry straight on uphill through the meadows you will eventually catch your first glimpse of the castle ruins ahead before you approach the remains of the gatehouse, (centre photograph above). There were no admission fees to visit the ruins and dogs are permitted on the site. Not a lot remains of the castle which dates back to Norman times and was built by William Fitzosbern, one of William the Conqueror's Captains but what does remain gives you a good idea of the scale of the castle which was one of the biggest in the area.
There are spectacular views across the surrounding countryside from the castle which sits on a rocky mound. The castle is in the care of English Heritage, a disclaimer before you enter the castle grounds states, "Wigmore Castle and Lands are privately owned. The owner has deeded the castle into State 'Guardianship'. The Secretary of State delegates English Heritage to manage the castle." One million pounds worth of works were carried out over the course of four years from 1995 to 1999 to ensure that what remains of the castle does not deteriorate any further and find out more about the site which is thought to have had a fortress long before the current castle was built.