Monmouth Castle

Monmouth Castle is a Grade I listed building primarily constructed from purple and red local sandstone rubble, featuring dressed sandstone quoins and repairs, much of which is from the 20th century, particularly at the projecting corners of the Great Tower. The remaining walling is more substantial than it initially appears. The Great Tower is a large rectangular structure with wide faces and three clasping buttressed corners. The walling on the north (river) side and at the south-east corner is largely missing, having been slighted after the Civil War and subsequently robbed to construct Great Castle House in 1673. The architectural style of the openings in the upper walling varies, along with the type of stone used, indicating significant strengthening and improvements made in the late 14th century. One of the openings at this level features a cusped ogee head, while the doorway leading into the Great Hall has a head with a triple mould. The adjoining Great Hall is in a more ruinous state, although it remained in use as a courtroom until 1724. The north and west walls of the Great Hall still stand, with the taller wall containing two large windows. The interior has only been partially inspected during the resurvey.