Skenfrith & Grosmont

It's been a really lovely day and ideal for doing a bit of site seeing. The main blip photo is of Skenfrith Castle and village (with church) and the extra is of Grosmont Castle (with church).

Skenfrith is most famous for its castle, one of the Three (or 'trilateral') Castles – with Grosmont and White Castle – built in the area after the Norman conquest by Marcher Lords to subjugate and dominate this part of the turbulent Welsh Marches into the medieval period. The castle was substantially rebuilt by Hubert De Burgh between 1219 and 1223, but by 1538 it was abandoned and in ruins.

Skenfrith is one of the oldest continually occupied villages in Britain and certainly amongst the most unchanged. In May 2010, the village appeared in an episode of Dr Who ('Amy's Choice') and has been labelled 'the place that time forgot'.

It is said Grosmont may have originated as an Iron Age camp. Grosmont Castle is a major feature of the village and was the birthplace of Henry 1st Duke of Gloucester. It was once an important medieval township.

Today, it forms part of The Three Castles walk which links the castles along with The Monnow Valley Walk.