Scheduled MonumentsWalesGreat Castle Head Rath
Prehistoric · Promontory Fort - coastal

Great Castle Head Rath

Pembrokeshire, Wales
Cadw SAM PE195
Period
Prehistoric
Site type
Promontory Fort - coastal
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Great Castle Head Rath is a prehistoric promontory fort located on the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales. The site occupies a naturally defended coastal headland and is characterised by defensive earthworks typical of Iron Age fortification strategies, utilising the steep topography of its promontory position as a primary defensive feature. The fort's designation as a Scheduled Ancient Monument reflects its archaeological significance as evidence of Iron Age settlement and territorial control along the Welsh coastal zone. The precise chronology and phases of occupation remain subjects of ongoing archaeological investigation, though the site represents an important example of promontory fort construction in the Iron Age period.

Great Castle Head Rath is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference PE195. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Great Castle Head Rath?

Great Castle Head Rath is a prehistoric promontory fort located on the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference PE195.

What period does Great Castle Head Rath date from?

Great Castle Head Rath dates from the prehistoric period, and is classified as a promontory fort - coastal. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Great Castle Head Rath?

Great Castle Head Rath 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 PE195.

What other scheduled monuments are near Great Castle Head Rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Dale Airfield (1.2 km), Little Castle Point Defended Enclosure (1.8 km), Dale Point Promontory Fort (Defences) (2.3 km).

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