Scheduled MonumentsWalesCastell Nos
Medieval · Motte

Castell Nos

Wales
Cadw SAM GM408
Period
Medieval
Site type
Motte
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Castell Nos is a motte-and-bailey castle located in Glamorgan, Wales, with Cadw scheduled ancient monument designation GM408. The site consists of a substantial earthen motte typical of Norman fortifications established in South Wales during the late eleventh and twelfth centuries. The castle represents the pattern of Norman military expansion into Welsh territory following the Norman conquest, serving as a defensive stronghold in the contested borderlands of Glamorgan. The earthwork remains visible today as a prominent raised mound, characteristic of early medieval castle construction before the widespread adoption of stone masonry in Welsh fortifications.

Castell Nos is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference GM408. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Castell Nos?

Castell Nos is a motte-and-bailey castle located in Glamorgan, Wales, with Cadw scheduled ancient monument designation GM408. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference GM408.

What period does Castell Nos date from?

Castell Nos 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 Castell Nos?

Castell Nos 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 GM408.

What other scheduled monuments are near Castell Nos?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Tarren Maerdy cairn (E) (3.5 km), Mynydd Maendy Hillfort (4.7 km), Mynydd Ty'n-tyle cairns (4.8 km).

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