Scheduled MonumentsWalesCastell Tal-y-Fan
Medieval · Castle

Castell Tal-y-Fan

Wales
Cadw SAM GM421
Period
Medieval
Site type
Castle
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Castell Tal-y-Fan is a medieval castle situated in Conwy County Borough, North Wales, occupying a commanding hilltop position that reflects strategic defensive considerations of the medieval period. The site comprises earthwork remains consistent with motte-and-bailey fortification, a common form of Norman and early medieval castle construction in Wales. Its elevated location on the slopes of Tal-y-Fan mountain provided commanding views over the surrounding terrain, typical of castles established to assert control over territory and communication routes. The monument is recorded in the Cadw schedule of ancient monuments under reference GM421, indicating its recognised archaeological significance as a surviving example of medieval Welsh defensive architecture.

Castell Tal-y-Fan is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference GM421. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Castell Tal-y-Fan?

Castell Tal-y-Fan is a medieval castle situated in Conwy County Borough, North Wales, occupying a commanding hilltop position that reflects strategic defensive considerations of the medieval period. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference GM421.

What period does Castell Tal-y-Fan date from?

Castell Tal-y-Fan dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a castle. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Castell Tal-y-Fan?

Castell Tal-y-Fan 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 GM421.

What other scheduled monuments are near Castell Tal-y-Fan?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Deserted Medieval Village North East of Rock Farm (9 km), Llancadle Deserted Medieval Village (9.1 km), West Orchard Manor House (9.2 km).

Aubrey Research

Generate a full report for this location

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in Britain — 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 Castell Tal-y-Fan