Scheduled MonumentsWalesKenfig Castle & Medieval Town
Medieval · Castle

Kenfig Castle & Medieval Town

Wales
Cadw SAM GM042
Period
Medieval
Site type
Castle
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Kenfig Castle is a Norman castle and associated medieval town situated on the Glamorgan coast of south Wales. Founded in the early twelfth century, the castle comprises a motte-and-bailey structure with later stone fortifications, including a substantial keep and defensive walls, representing the evolution of Norman military architecture in Wales. The settlement that grew around the castle became an important medieval town with its own street plan and market privileges, reflecting its role as a centre of Anglo-Norman power in the region. The site declined gradually from the later medieval period and was eventually engulfed by sand dunes, which has paradoxically preserved the archaeological remains in a relatively undisturbed state.

Kenfig Castle & Medieval Town is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference GM042. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Kenfig Castle & Medieval Town?

Kenfig Castle is a Norman castle and associated medieval town situated on the Glamorgan coast of south Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference GM042.

What period does Kenfig Castle & Medieval Town date from?

Kenfig Castle & Medieval Town dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a castle. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Kenfig Castle & Medieval Town?

Kenfig Castle & Medieval Town 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 GM042.

What other scheduled monuments are near Kenfig Castle & Medieval Town?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Sculptured Cross Llanmihangel Farm (1.5 km), Leat & Dam at Llanmihangel Mill (2 km), Pyle Incised Stone (2.1 km).

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