A 28 day public consultation has started on a diversion to Public Right of Way LLanfedw FP1 which goes through the Ruperra Castle grounds and would remove public access away from the castle door. 

16 months after making the decision to divert the right of way on safety grounds, Caerphilly Council have publicised the order to divert the right of way around 65 metres away from the castle onto steep banking.

It would also mean that public access to the west castle door, previously the servants entrance, would be lost forever, making it difficult for any charity to work together with any present or future owner to obtain heritage funding.

The Ruperra Castle Preservation Trust believes there is no need to divert the right of way based on a temporary safety issue, especially as planning permission has been granted to turn the outbuildings next to the castle into private flats, and the safety issue would need to be mitigated in advance of that happening. The safety issues have already been identified in a recent structural survey part funded by Cadw.

At the end of the 28 day consultation, if there are any outstanding objections, the decision will go to a Planning Inspector to decide which could result in a public inquiry. 

View the order to divert which includes a map and description of the diverted path.
View the public notice to divert the right of way.

Before an Inspector can confirm an order, they must be satisfied that the diverted route is not substantially less convenient than the original route.  They must also consider how the diversion would impact the public’s enjoyment of the route.  

If you would like to object please write to Robert Tranter Head of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer, email:  [email protected] before 23/08/2026.

Here are some examples of reasons that we believe you may like to consider as part of your objection which would be more powerful and carry more weight if written in your own words:

The diverted route is substantially less convenient than the original route:

• Safety - The route goes across steep banking on the side of the horse arena – the adverse effect of the slope (for example for people of limited mobility) even if it were adequately engineered would be substantially less convenient than the current public right of way on flat ground.
• Safety – the path will not be of the same hard surface as the majority of the current route. Part will be grass which can quickly become muddy and part will be woodchippings on the banking south of the horse arena. These could fall away and turn into a muddy slope.
• Access - The new pedestrian openings in the walls would only be 1.1m wide, much smaller than the north and south openings of several metres which are currently blocked by locked gates.

Impact on public enjoyment of the route:

• Enjoyment of views - the Castle is a grade 2* Listed Building and Scheduled Monument, it is a fine example of a pageant castle - one of only a handful like it in the UK. You will not be able to see the same level of detail and appreciate as much of its architecture if it were moved from right next to the castle door to a matter of 65 metres or so away from the castle – exact distance is not given.
• Enjoyment of views – The proposed route would take walkers behind an active horse arena, with two fences either side, very high individual jumps and traffic cone jumps in use for training horses.
• Enjoyment of views – there is nothing to stop other buildings or trees being planted between the castle and the proposed diverted route in future.

Neither the current route or the proposed diverted route are available for the public to inspect. Join our walk on Saturday 8 August from Ruperra Home Farm to the castle grounds to peer over the walls and through the fences at our right of way and the new proposed route.

Then you can make your own mind up before sending in an objection. We’ll share interesting history about the castle on the walk.
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To attend the walk and be sent further information, email: [email protected].

​Photos of the steepness of the banking towards the south of the horse arena which the diverted route will navigate:

If you would like to object please write to Robert Tranter Head of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer, email:  [email protected] before 23/08/2026.

Robert Tranter
Head of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer
Caerphilly County Borough Council
Penallta House
Tredomen Park
Ystrad Mynach
Hengoed
CF82 7PG

Ruperra Castle was built by Sir Thomas Morgan of Machen and completed in 1626. Join us to celebrate 400 years of the only pageant castle in Wales, a magical scheduled monument at risk of collapse.

The castle’s unique architectural design was inspired from pageantry which sometimes used castles as scenery in celebrations.  We are creating two Ruperra Castles which will be on display at a commemorative local exhibition in October.

Artist Haf Weighton will be running a free workshop in the United Services Club - Machen Legion, Forge Road, Machen CF83 8EP on Thursday 16 July 6.30-8.30pm where you can help embroider the castles. No experience necessary!

Free tea and coffee will be available and the bar will be open to purchase refreshments during the event. Suitable for age 14+ as using needles.

Booking is essential to ensure we have enough materials.
Email: [email protected].

We will be adding words and thoughts about Ruperra Castle. If you would like your quote to be considered then please email it in or share it with us on social media. We encourage messages in Welsh and English which should be no more than one sentence.

Haf Weighton is a textile artist with over 30 years of experience leading arts projects in health, education, and community settings across Wales and internationally. She has exhibited widely including Saatchi Gallery and Y Lle Celf and is a selected member of the Society of Designer Craftsmen. 
​https://hafweighton.art/

This project was made possible with funding from Arts Council of Wales.