Scheduled MonumentsWalesLlandovery Castle
Medieval · Castle

Llandovery Castle

Carmarthenshire, Wales
Cadw SAM CM015
Period
Medieval
Site type
Castle
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Llandovery Castle is a Norman motte-and-bailey fortress established in the early twelfth century in Carmarthenshire, Wales, serving as a strategic stronghold in the conquest and control of South Wales. The castle comprises a prominent motte with a substantial stone keep, erected during the medieval period, alongside bailey defences that reflect its importance as a military installation. Positioned at the confluence of rivers in the settlement of Llandovery, the castle commanded routes through the Towy Valley and formed part of the Norman network of fortifications designed to secure territorial gains in Wales. The surviving structures, including portions of the keep and motte earthworks, remain substantial evidence of Norman defensive architecture in the region.

Llandovery Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference CM015. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Llandovery Castle?

Llandovery Castle is a Norman motte-and-bailey fortress established in the early twelfth century in Carmarthenshire, Wales, serving as a strategic stronghold in the conquest and control of South Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference CM015.

What period does Llandovery Castle date from?

Llandovery Castle 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 Llandovery Castle?

Llandovery 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 CM015.

What other scheduled monuments are near Llandovery Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Mynydd Myddfai, ring cairns on W end of (6 km), Mynydd Myddfai round cairn (6.3 km), Cae Sara Lead Mine (6.8 km).

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