Scheduled MonumentsWalesCastle Pencader
Medieval · Motte

Castle Pencader

Carmarthenshire, Wales
Cadw SAM CM070
Period
Medieval
Site type
Motte
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Castle Pencader is a motte-and-bailey castle located in Carmarthenshire, Wales, dating to the Norman period following the conquest of South Wales in the late eleventh century. The monument consists of a substantial motte with surviving defensive earthworks that demonstrate the typical military architecture employed by Norman settlers to establish control over the Welsh landscape. The site's strategic location reflects the broader pattern of Norman castle-building in Carmarthenshire, where such fortifications served as administrative and military centres for the newly established Anglo-Norman lordships. Castle Pencader remains an important archaeological example of early medieval military architecture in South Wales, preserving evidence of the region's post-Conquest settlement and defence strategy.

Castle Pencader is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference CM070. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Castle Pencader?

Castle Pencader is a motte-and-bailey castle located in Carmarthenshire, Wales, dating to the Norman period following the conquest of South Wales in the late eleventh century. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference CM070.

What period does Castle Pencader date from?

Castle Pencader dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Castle Pencader?

Castle Pencader 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 CM070.

What other scheduled monuments are near Castle Pencader?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Crugiau Rhos-Wen (4.7 km), Gilfach-Fach Round Barrow (4.9 km), Crugiau Fach Round Barrows (5.3 km).

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