Scheduled MonumentsWalesBedford Castle
Medieval · Motte

Bedford Castle

Wales
Cadw SAM GM113
Period
Medieval
Site type
Motte
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Bedford Castle is a motte and bailey castle located in Wales, designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument (Cadw SAM GM113). The monument consists of an earthwork mound characteristic of Norman defensive architecture, dating to the medieval period following the Norman Conquest. The site represents a typical example of early medieval fortification strategy employed during the conquest and consolidation of Welsh territories. The castle's physical remains preserve evidence of this significant period of Welsh and Norman interaction in the medieval landscape.

Bedford Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference GM113. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Bedford Castle?

Bedford Castle is a motte and bailey castle located in Wales, designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument (Cadw SAM GM113). It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference GM113.

What period does Bedford Castle date from?

Bedford Castle dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Bedford Castle?

Bedford Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is GM113.

What other scheduled monuments are near Bedford Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Castle Ditches Camp (2.8 km), West Orchard Manor House (3 km), Summerhouse Camp (3.2 km).

Aubrey Research

Generate a full report for this location

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in the UK — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.

Research the area around Bedford Castle