For residents of the United Kingdom, heritage is a major source of pride. It’s no wonder that money generated through the National Lottery goes towards our important heritage projects. The latest large HLF grant will allow one major Welsh castle to open to the public. Should all go to plan, Hay Castle in Powys Wales will open from 2017. It has never been opened to the public. From next year, visitors will be able to enjoy castle ruins and a grade I listed mansion. It could become one of the greatest historic monuments for Wales.

Pauline Eccles [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
About Hay Castle
Beginning life as a medieval castle with a motte and bailey structure, it was vital to the medieval history of Wales. Hay Castle changed hands several times in the 1260s – Prince Edward in 1264 and Simon De Montfort in 1265. During the Jacobean period, it underwent serious renovation. The mansion was built alongside the old castle ruins, some of which was still in use. In its time it served as a vicarage and as a town jail. Two major fires in the 20th century could have led to ruin but in 2011, local opinion on its preservation became paramount, leading to a buy-out for the Hay Castle Trust.