Ruperra Castle –Scheduled Monument at risk

by Charlotte Rogers

Just outside Cardiff, where it borders Newport and Caerphilly, in beautiful countryside, is the only pageant castle in Wales – Ruperra Castle, a ruin at risk of collapse.

Built in 1626 by Sir Thomas Morgan of Machen, Ruperra Castle is significant in Welsh history, one of only a handful of pageant castles (built for show, not defence) left in the UK. It is a Grade 2* Listed Building and Scheduled Monument and has statutorily protected gardens. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of post-medieval social, domestic and political life and architectural design. Notably, the sophistication of Jacobean design at Ruperra was unprecedented at the time in Wales making it very rare.

The Castle has a colourful history; it has played host to Charles 1, and the military in WWII, been a family home and hunting lodge, and provided employment for local families. It became part of the Tredegar House estate in 1715 and served as a home for its future heirs.

Ruperra Castle was gutted by fire in 1941 and now stands as a romantic ruin and it is a building at risk of collapse. The unique surrounding listed buildings include Stables, Bothy and Generator House, which is home to a rare Greater Horseshoe bat maternity colony and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The derelict gardens still retain echoes of the past including the remains of a magnificent MacKenzie and Moncur glass house, one of the largest and finest in Wales.

Visit the area

There are some beautiful walks that take in the view of the Castle from Coed Craig Ruperra, including from the Motte which was built on the site of an Iron Age hill fort, part of the historic landscape that frames Ruperra Castle. NB You can’t visit the Castle as it is privately owned - the Castle and its outbuildings are dangerous ruins. There are a number of view points from public footpaths - view walking maps of the area: https:// www.ruperracastle.wales/visit-the-area.html

Sign a petition

The Ruperra Castle Preservation Trust is working to save this beautiful and nationally important place. It would be a tragedy if, without necessary repair work, it deteriorates further and is lost forever. One of the towers has fallen and there are cracks in the others – the building is at risk and it is only a matter of time…

Sign our petition to the Welsh Government to make conservation management plans compulsory for scheduled monuments at risk such as Ruperra Castle: https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/245345

We want to help the local community enjoy its beauty, history, and importance and so run free events with the public. Visit our website to find out more or follow us on social media: www.ruperracastle.wales www.facebook.com/ruperracastle www.twitter.com/ruperra_castle www.instagram.com/ruperracastle