Burfa Castle facts for kids

Burfa Wood viewed from the east. Burfa Camp was on the summit of the hill

Burfa Castle, also known as Burfa Hillfort, is an ancient fort from the Iron Age. It's located near a small town called Old Radnor in Powys, Wales. This special place is protected as a "scheduled monument," which means it's an important historical site. It sits on a hill called Burfa Bank, close to a famous old path called Offa's Dyke.

What is Burfa Castle?

Where is Burfa Castle Located?

Burfa Castle is found in Powys, Wales. It's on a hill near the small town of Old Radnor. A very old path called Offa's Dyke runs close to the bottom of Burfa Bank. This path was built a long time ago to mark a border.

What Was Burfa Castle Like?

Burfa Castle was a large hillfort built by people in the Iron Age. It was designed for defense. The fort measured about 579 meters long and 187 meters wide. It had several layers of banks and ditches, especially near its entrance. These layers made it hard for enemies to get in.

How Was it Defended?

The hillfort had a clever entrance. It used three or four banks and ditches to create a twisting path. This "torturous entrance approach" would have made it very difficult for attackers to get inside quickly.

Who Lived at Burfa Castle?

People from the Iron Age built and used Burfa Castle. This period was a long time ago, before the Romans arrived in Britain.

Did Romans Visit Burfa Castle?

Yes, objects from the 1st and 2nd centuries CE have been found at the site. This suggests that people were still using the area when the Romans were around. The nearby Radnor Valley was close to where the Romans settled. While there weren't any permanent Roman towns right there, traces of Roman army camps have been found in the area, including one at Burfa. This means Roman soldiers might have camped near or even at the hillfort.