The history of the West Country has left a rich legacy of castles and other fortifications throughout its landscape, built wherever power and wealth needed to be displayed, strategic points controlled or territory and local populations defended. In this book author Andrew Powell-Thomas explores the castles built over the centuries in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire. Many of them defend the region’s towns and cities, while others are dotted along the strategically important coastline or are set in more remote areas. The earliest hill forts date back to prehistory, and some still stand in all their glory, such as Pendennis Castle in Falmouth. Others have been carefully preserved or restored to other uses; some such as Corfe Castle in Dorset are picturesque ruins, and others such as Bridgwater Castle in Somerset no longer exist.

This fascinating portrait of the castles and other fortifications of the West Country will interest all those who know the area, as well as those wish to know more about the history of its castles and fortified structures.