Am Bryn y Beili

The site itself is of significant historical importance. Mold Castle was a substantial fortress, captured and recaptured many times. It was the scene of a series of bloody conflicts between Norman lords and Welsh princes, in particular Owain Gwynedd and Llewelyn ab Iorwerth in the 12th Century and Dafydd ap Gruffydd a century later. Damage was regularly inflicted, but was always repaired. Until the end of the 14th century that is, when the castle’s importance declined… Sadly the site then became an area of wasteland, until it was enclosed in the late 18th Century. Throughout this time it continued to be used for fairs and celebrations, as indeed it had been for centuries.

Bailey Hill is a special place. The site of an 11th century medieval Norman castle, this scheduled ancient monument sits in a conservation area of the historic market town of Mold in north Wales.

The Hill has played an important part in the history and development of Mold, the town that grew up alongside it. Indeed, it’s thought that the name Mold comes from Mont Haut (High Hill), the family name of the Norman baron who built the castle.

In 1870, the townspeople of Mold clubbed together to buy the site from the landowning Mostyn family – who agreed to sell for the discounted price of £400. Under the stewardship of successive local councils, Bailey Hill was developed into a public park and now provides an important and nurturing green space in the town centre.

Exciting new archaeological finds during the 2020 regeneration project have really brought the site to life. For example, recent evidence suggests that while Mold Castle was probably a wooden structure, substantial stone walls and buildings were present on the site in the 12-13th century. Our living history lesson continues apace!