Penhow Castle situated between Newport and Chepstow is an 860 year old building which is now described as a fortified manor house. It was originally built to house the knights who served the Lord at nearby Chepstow Castle.
Sir Roger de St Maur – the more famous name being Seymour – was the first Norman owner of the castle, who had the tower house built, is known to have been at Penhow in 1129.
Over the years the castle was extended, minimising the size of the courtyard. Among the rooms were the Great Hall, Minstrel’s Gallery, the Norman Bedroom and Tudor Moat Room which were once open for the public to view.
Apart from the famous Seymour’s once being residents of the castle, it is reputed Charles I had fled to Penhow in fear of his life and became a resident in 1645.
In 1674 the castle was occupied by the Lewis family and by 1714 the castle became a tenanted farm owned by absentee landlords.
After 1933 the castle became derelict until it was bought in 1973 by film producer Stephen Weeks, where he had made extensive restorations for the 30 years he was in ownership, and allowed the public to tour the castle.
However, in 2003 the castle was sold and unfortunately, its doors were closed to the public.
Historic Chronicles 