Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Holt Castle
Holt, Wrexham, Wales
A Grade II* listed building in Holt, Wrexham, designated on 7 June 1963.
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II*
- Broad class
- Defence
- Date of designation
- 7 June 1963
- Locality
- Holt
- Community
- Holt
- Unitary authority
- Wrexham
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 53.07790, -2.88023
- Cadw reference
- 1595
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1608 map "(13) Cambriae Typus." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1608 · (13) Cambriae Typus. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1861 · 73. Market Drayton. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1883 · Watershed map England, Wales 3. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1897 · 122 Nantwich (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1901 · Sheet 9 and 10. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
Cadw's description
Location
Situated at the end of a path to the S side of Deeside. The castle remains are situated on a sandstone boss around which a quarry was later dug out.
History
The remains of the present structure date back to the second Edwardian campaign of 1282-3, however it is probable that the site had been of strategic importance for many centuries before. Bronze Age remains have been found on the site. The Edwardian lordship castle was built by the Earl of Surrey, John de Warenne. When John Noren visited the site in 1620 he described it as 'nowe in great decay'. It is however clear from his drawings that it was a single ward castle, planned as a regular pentagon, with buildings ranged against each curtain wall and a tower at each angle. Four towers were round, with watch turrets and battered plinths while at opposing ends there were square towers, one of which was a gatehouse barbican. The castle changed hands at least twice during the Civil War. The castle was demolished between 1675 and 1683 to provide building material for Sir Thomas Grosvenor's Eaton Hall.
Exterior
The remains stand upon an artificially-shaped boss of red sandstone upon and around which the castle was originally constructed. Sandstone blockwork survives, the S side being the best preserved with a doorway and steps leading into the interior.
Reason for designation
Grade II* for the special interest of its origins as a medieval castle.
Nearby in the register
- Holt CastleCastleunder 1 mi
- War Memorial (including railings)Commemorativeunder 1 mi
- 2 Holt Hall (including the Peking Garden)Domesticunder 1 mi
- 1 Holt Hall (including the Peking Garden)Domesticunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.