Hay-on-Wye Motte

Ordnance Survey Map Reference SO 226422 (Breconshire)

The motte, rising 10ft (3m) to a summit approximately 65ft (20m) across near the parish church south-west of the town and, is probably the site of the ‘castello de haia’ which is mentioned in 1121. It was probably built by William Revel, one of Bernard de Newmarch’s knights. Later in the 12th century a more commanding site to the north-east was utilised for a large oval ringwork about 280ft (85m) by 230ft (70m).
The motte has free access at all times, and I visited the site on 11th August 2000.