Holt Castle is a late 13th century stone enclosure and bailey fortress, founded by John de Warenne, earl of Surrey. Built as the administrative centre of the district of Iâl, it replaced the abandoned hill-top site of Castell Dinas Bran. Sadly this Edwardian castle has been completely dismantled and only thin internal walls remain, built into a pentagon shaped boss of sandstone. The most prominent feature, is a doorway in a substantial fragment of wall, it leads to a flight of steps that gave access to the inner court. After Civil War slighting, all the remaining stonework in the surrounding curtain wall, the flanking angle towers, a detached barbican tower and the outer bailey, were used in the construction of the original Eaton Hall, founded by Thomas Grosvenor. 3 miles south-east is Shocklach Castle and 8 miles north-west is Caergwrle Castle.