Snodhill Castle

Snodhill Castle
Herefordshire, England
Snodhill Castle; the southwest corner of the high keep
Snodhill Castle
Coordinates	52°03′28″N 2°59′24″W / 52.057650°N 2.989889°W / 52.057650; -2.989889
Grid reference	grid reference SO322403
Type	Motte-and-bailey castle
Site information
Owner	Snodhill Castle Preservation Trust
Open to the public	Public access
Condition	Ruined

Snodhill Castle is a ruined motte-and-bailey castle, about 1 mi (1.6 km) south of the village of Dorstone in west Herefordshire, England. It is recognized as one of the major castles of the Welsh Marches. It was built in the 11th century to secure the border between Norman England and the Welsh Princes. Archaeological excavations show that it was one of the first Norman castles in England to have stone-built fortifications, with more sophisticated defenses being added in later centuries.^[1]

The castle was first referenced in 1142. Although it was recorded as being in decay in the mid-16th century, it was thought to still be in use during the 17th century.^[2] It remained in private hands until 2016, when it was acquired by a charitable trust backed by Historic England to preserve the remaining structure.