Scheduled MonumentsWalesCefnllys Castle
Medieval · Motte and Bailey

Cefnllys Castle

Radnorshire, Wales
Cadw SAM RD008
Period
Medieval
Site type
Motte and Bailey
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Cefnllys Castle is a motte and bailey fortress located in Radnorshire, Wales, constructed in the Norman period following the conquest of the region in the late eleventh century. The castle comprises a substantial earthen mound, or motte, accompanied by an adjacent bailey, representing a typical example of early Norman military architecture employed to consolidate control over the Welsh marches. The site served as a strategic defensive position during the period of Norman expansion into Wales and subsequent conflicts between Norman and Welsh forces. Cefnllys Castle remains an important archaeological monument documenting the military strategies and settlement patterns of the Norman conquest era in medieval Wales.

Cefnllys Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference RD008. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Cefnllys Castle?

Cefnllys Castle is a motte and bailey fortress located in Radnorshire, Wales, constructed in the Norman period following the conquest of the region in the late eleventh century. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference RD008.

What period does Cefnllys Castle date from?

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

Who is responsible for protecting Cefnllys Castle?

Cefnllys Castle 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 RD008.

What other scheduled monuments are near Cefnllys Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Bryntwppa stone row (7.3 km), Colwyn Castle (7.7 km), Carneddau Round Cairn (7.7 km).

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