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Castell Dyffrynmawr is a medieval motte located in Wales and protected by Cadw as a scheduled ancient monument under reference PE208. The castle sits upon bedrock of Ashgill formation deposits, comprising mudstone, siltstone and sandstone laid down in the Ashgill period. These fine-grained sediments, typical of the region's geology, provided a stable foundation for the earthwork's construction.
The motte itself represents a common form of medieval fortification erected across Wales and the Anglo-Norman frontier. Such mottes—artificial or heavily modified natural hills crowned with timber or stone structures—served as strongholds for local lords and control points over their territories. The raised platform would have supported a wooden or stone tower surrounded by a palisade, with a bailey (defensive courtyard) typically positioned at its base.
The monument survives as an earthwork, its form preserving evidence of medieval defensive strategy and the exercise of territorial authority. The site's protection under Cadw ensures the continued preservation of this significant element of Wales's medieval landscape and its archaeological record.
Castell Dyffrynmawr is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference PE208. View the official record →
Castell Dyffrynmawr is a medieval motte located in Wales and protected by Cadw as a scheduled ancient monument under reference PE208.
Castell Dyffrynmawr dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Castell Dyffrynmawr 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 PE208.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Meini Gwyr (9.2 km), Yr Allor (9.3 km), Earthwork 125m South West of Meini Gwyr (9.3 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 13 strands of Castell Dyffrynmawr's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Castell Dyffrynmawr stands on Ashgill Rocks (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Ashgill. The rock here is mudstone, siltstone and sandstone.