Scheduled MonumentsWalesHen Castell
Medieval · Moated Site

Hen Castell

Breconshire, Wales
Cadw SAM BR056
Period
Medieval
Site type
Moated Site
Broad class
Domestic
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Hen Castell is a moated domestic site located in Breconshire, Wales, dating to the medieval period. The site comprises a substantial rectangular moat surrounding an elevated platform that once supported a timber-framed or stone dwelling, representing a form of aristocratic or gentry residence characteristic of medieval Wales. The moat, which is clearly visible as an earthwork feature, would have served both defensive and status functions, marking the homestead as a place of some social standing. The site remains archaeologically significant as evidence of medieval settlement patterns and domestic architecture in the Welsh border region during the later medieval period.

Hen Castell is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference BR056. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Hen Castell?

Hen Castell is a moated domestic site located in Breconshire, Wales, dating to the medieval period. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference BR056.

What period does Hen Castell date from?

Hen Castell dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a moated site. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Hen Castell?

Hen Castell 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 BR056.

What other scheduled monuments are near Hen Castell?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Brake Engine on Hill Pits Tramroad Incline (7.3 km), Pwll Du Tunnel (7.4 km), Old Coal Pits, Blaenavon (7.6 km).

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