Scheduled MonumentsWalesBishton Castle
Medieval · Motte

Bishton Castle

Wales
Cadw SAM MM128
Period
Medieval
Site type
Motte
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Bishton Castle is a motte-and-bailey fortress located in the Vale of Glamorgan, Monmouthshire, Wales. The site comprises a substantial earthen mound typical of Norman fortifications erected in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, with associated defensive ditching and bailey features. The castle represents an important example of early Norman settlement strategy in South Wales, where such motte-and-bailey structures served as administrative centres and military strongholds during the period of Anglo-Norman expansion into Welsh territories. The monument is recorded as a Scheduled Ancient Monument under the Cadw protection scheme.

Bishton Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference MM128. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Bishton Castle?

Bishton Castle is a motte-and-bailey fortress located in the Vale of Glamorgan, Monmouthshire, Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference MM128.

What period does Bishton Castle date from?

Bishton 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 Bishton Castle?

Bishton 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 MM128.

What other scheduled monuments are near Bishton Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Wilcrick Hill Camp (1.9 km), St. Mary's Churchyard Cross, Llanwern (2.2 km), Moated Site E of Grangefield Farm (3.1 km).

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