Scheduled MonumentsWalesCardiff Castle and Roman Fort
Medieval · Fort

Cardiff Castle and Roman Fort

Wales
Cadw SAM GM171
Period
Medieval
Site type
Fort
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Cardiff Castle is a medieval fortress occupying a site of Roman strategic importance in the centre of Cardiff, South Wales. The castle was founded in the late eleventh century by Norman knight William the Conqueror's follower, Robert FitzHamon, who established a motte-and-bailey fortification within the circuit of an earlier Roman fort. The Roman fort, known as Taff's Well or Castellum Taff, dates to the late first or second century AD and originally served as an auxiliary fort controlling the strategic crossing of the River Taff. The medieval castle underwent substantial reconstruction and elaboration over subsequent centuries, particularly during the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries, with successive owners adding stone fortifications, domestic ranges, and the prominent keep that dominates the site today.

Cardiff Castle and Roman Fort is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference GM171. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Cardiff Castle and Roman Fort?

Cardiff Castle is a medieval fortress occupying a site of Roman strategic importance in the centre of Cardiff, South Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference GM171.

What period does Cardiff Castle and Roman Fort date from?

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

Who is responsible for protecting Cardiff Castle and Roman Fort?

Cardiff Castle and Roman Fort 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 GM171.

What other scheduled monuments are near Cardiff Castle and Roman Fort?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Ely Tidal Harbour Coal Staithe Number One (3.8 km), Penarth Churchyard Cross (Now in St Augustine's Church) (4.6 km), Cwm George Camp (5.4 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 Cardiff Castle and Roman Fort