Photos, videos and docs of StoneRoad2013, with the keywords: "ruin"

mcc[25] - round topped archway

nobody@ipernity.com (StoneRoad2013) — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 20:08:17 +0000

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This type of Archway / window was typical of the 11th & 12th century, and the style is known as "Norman" architecture.
It appears to have been, at least partially, robbed of the ashlar and is deteriorating.

SBB[24]/CyB{16/16} - CADW

nobody@ipernity.com (StoneRoad2013) — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:51:50 +0000

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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.

SBB[24]/CyB{15/16} - twister

nobody@ipernity.com (StoneRoad2013) — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:51:48 +0000

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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.

SBB[24]/CyB{14/16} - entrance steps

nobody@ipernity.com (StoneRoad2013) — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:51:46 +0000

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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 !

SBB[24]/CyB{13/16} - Well

nobody@ipernity.com (StoneRoad2013) — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:51:44 +0000

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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.

SBB[24]/CyB{12/16} - Looking North [HWW]

nobody@ipernity.com (StoneRoad2013) — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:51:42 +0000

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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.

SBB[24]/CyB{11/16} - South Tower

nobody@ipernity.com (StoneRoad2013) — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:51:39 +0000

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

SBB[24]/CyB{10/16} - information

nobody@ipernity.com (StoneRoad2013) — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:51:37 +0000

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

SBB[24]/CyB{9/16} - more or less eastwards

nobody@ipernity.com (StoneRoad2013) — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:51:35 +0000

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

SBB[24]/CyB{8/16} - undercroft

nobody@ipernity.com (StoneRoad2013) — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:51:33 +0000

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What looks like a pillar case in what is probably the undercroft of the North Tower. Note that the area to the right is native Wales / bare rock on which the castle was built.

SBB[24]/CyB{7/16} -

nobody@ipernity.com (StoneRoad2013) — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:51:31 +0000

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Having walked a little was northwards within the courtyard, and climbed to the upper level, it is possible to see much more of the Afon Dysynni valley that lies around the castle.
Definitely rich, flat and fertile farmland - compared to the surrounding hills.

SBB[24]/CyB{6/16} - SW corner

nobody@ipernity.com (StoneRoad2013) — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:51:29 +0000

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Remains of the Round Tower to the left, so looking at the SW Corner of the curtain wall.

SBB[24]/CyB{5/16} - round tower base [HWW]

nobody@ipernity.com (StoneRoad2013) — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:51:27 +0000

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The surviving foundations and lower part of the round tower, which over looks the entrance to Castell y Bere.
The walls are very thick, and the lower part [foundations] may have the noticeable slope as a form of buttressing.

SBB[24]/CyB{4/16} - southern [main] entrance

nobody@ipernity.com (StoneRoad2013) — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:51:24 +0000

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The southern / main entrance to Castell y Bere was exceptionally heavily built for the time, with two drawbridges over dry moats and a couple of Barbican type towers, plus the round tower overlooks the same area.

SBB[24]/CyB{3/16} - speedwell

nobody@ipernity.com (StoneRoad2013) — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:51:22 +0000

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There were quite a few clumps of this plant growing on the castle hill.

Not fully convinced, but I think that it is possibly a pink rather than blue version of Wall Speedwell [Veronica arvensis], actually, the leaves aren't quite right either. I'll have another look in my Keble Martin.

SBB[24]/CyB{2/16} - brambles

nobody@ipernity.com (StoneRoad2013) — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:51:20 +0000

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Tucked away on the side of the castle hill were some quite luscious blackberries.

SBB[24]/CyB{1/16} - entrance info

nobody@ipernity.com (StoneRoad2013) — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:51:18 +0000

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The info board at the entrance to Castell y Bere, Gwynedd.
The hillock seems much more prominent in the landscape without the modern trees cloaking the shape. Still plenty of black cattle and sheep around here, as the valley of the Afon Dysynni is still a very lush agricultural landscape, with plenty of wildlife / wild flowers.

gbw - distant ruin

nobody@ipernity.com (StoneRoad2013) — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 22:15:32 +0000

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Sunny beach leading over to Dunstanburgh Castle.