StoneRoad2013's photos with the keyword: hill

There was a saying on the CLW campus - If you can see Pen Dinas [marked by the stone column] it is going to rain, if you can't, it is already raining. {More of a comment on Welsh weather !} en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pen_Dinas

CADW notice alongside the entrance gate to Castell y Bere. It's a bit difficult to not climb on the monument, as some of the walls are very short. I think they mean don't climb up the towers nor on the curtain wall - there's a goodly drop onto rocks in most places.

Look closely at the stem in the centre - it is actually two ash saplings twisted around each other. If they were to survive [the area has ash-dieback disease] and grow to full tree size, that would make for some very interesting grain patterns.

The first of three sets of steps / bridges that combine into the entrance for Castell y Bere. Definitely would have been difficult obstacles for an attacking army. However, the wooden sections are in need of repairs / replacement. Wet Wales and passing time have combined to reduce some pieces of the timber to fragments - nothing overtly dangerous, and some repairs have been already been done. However, I hate open riser stairs like these !

Apart from the strategic value of location this hillock had another advantage - a water supply. Not sure if this a true well, an enclosed spring or merely a cistern collecting rain water draining from within the castle. It looks less than salubrious to modern eyes, but frequent drawing of water would prevent stagnation, even if it is just a cistern. The fence is very necessary, as the ground level on that side is almost level with the top of the wall - and there's nothing to help you climb out.

Looking towards the North Tower buildings from by the threshold to the South Tower complex. Part of the remains of the ruined curtain walls are on the left. On the right of this image is another sample of the local Welsh rock poking up through the thin soil.

The first of three sections to the South Tower complex, possibly built to provide additional accommodation. Note the walls are substantial.

Infographic showing what Castell y Bere looked like, around 1240 {I think}

Looking back [South & East] from the North Tower area

Pen Dinas & monument in the distance.