Immediately south of the churchyard and adjoining the River Wye are the earthworks and foundations described as a motte and bailey.

There is an irregular oblong shaped bailey with a narrow projection at the south end on where once stood the keep. The keep appears to have been divided from the bailey by a ditch. The slight mound of the keep indicates foundations of a rectangular building 78ft x 45ft with a projecting bay on the west side and with 2 banks extending from either end of the south side, indicating the position of the curtain wall.

© Paul Wood	© Paul Wood

The enclosure is protected on the East by a scarp to the river and on the north and west sides runs a ditch. A double scarp with berm encloses the south side.

The Manor was granted to John de Bredwardine at the time of the Norman Conquest.

1227: the Castle had become the property of the Baskerville family, with the Bohun’s as their overlords. In the following century was held by Hugh de Lacy.

The building on the site was termed ‘Oldcastle’ as early as the reign of Henry III it is thought to have been built soon after the Norman Conquest. It was rebuilt as a fortress during the wars of Stephen and Maud, which was dismantled in the reign of Henry II or III.

1374: In September of this year it was described as being called Castel Place without any mention of any fortifications. 70 years after this date it is described as being a waste site with no annual value.

The ruined castle and Manor passed from the family of Baskerville to the Vaughan family. Roger Vaughan converted the castle and manor into a multi gabled house thus losing the fortified nature of the building that would have classed it as a castle. This house was named the Castle of Gronw, but became a castle in name only.