Scheduled MonumentsWalesCnwclas Castle
Medieval · Castle

Cnwclas Castle

Radnorshire, Wales
Cadw SAM RD085
Period
Medieval
Site type
Castle
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Cnwclas Castle is a motte-and-bailey fortress situated in Radnorshire, Wales, dating to the Norman period following the late eleventh-century conquest and settlement of South Wales. The castle comprises a substantial earthen mound with an associated bailey, typical of early Norman defensive architecture in the Welsh Marches, representing the initial phase of Anglo-Norman military expansion into the region. Its location in the upland terrain of Radnorshire reflects the strategic importance of controlling the Welsh interior during the period of Norman consolidation. The site remains largely unexcavated, with its survival as earthworks providing valuable evidence of early medieval castle construction techniques and the pattern of Norman settlement in this part of Wales.

Cnwclas Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference RD085. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Cnwclas Castle?

Cnwclas Castle is a motte-and-bailey fortress situated in Radnorshire, Wales, dating to the Norman period following the late eleventh-century conquest and settlement of South Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference RD085.

What period does Cnwclas Castle date from?

Cnwclas Castle dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a castle. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Cnwclas Castle?

Cnwclas 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 RD085.

What other scheduled monuments are near Cnwclas Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Glog Camp (5.9 km), Castell Foel-Allt (6.9 km), Offa's Dyke: Section extending 2143m S from The Firs, Rhos-y-Meirch (7.4 km).

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