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Moated Site 250m SW of Pencoed Castle is a medieval moated site situated in Wales and protected by Cadw as an ancient monument. The site lies on bedrock composed of Upper Devonian rocks, undifferentiated sandstone and conglomerate interbedded together, which formed during the Late Devonian period. This geology provides a substantial and stable foundation typical of south Welsh valleys, where such defensive earthworks were commonly established during the medieval period.
The moat itself represents a form of domestic fortification that became widespread in medieval Britain, particularly from the 12th century onwards. The water-filled or water-retaining ditch surrounding the raised dwelling platform served both defensive and status-conferring functions, marking the residence of a person of some social standing. Its proximity to Pencoed Castle, a substantial nearby fortification, suggests this moated site may have formed part of a wider pattern of medieval settlement and land control in the locality.
The survival of the moat's earthwork structure demonstrates the durability of such features when constructed on stable bedrock. Archaeological evidence from comparable sites indicates that moated sites typically comprised a central platform containing domestic buildings, surrounded by a ditch, sometimes with external banks. This particular example remains a significant record of medieval settlement organisation and social hierarchy within the Welsh landscape.
Moated Site 250m SW of Pencoed Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference MM201. View the official record →
Moated Site 250m SW of Pencoed Castle is a medieval moated site situated in Wales and protected by Cadw as an ancient monument. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference MM201.
Moated Site 250m SW of Pencoed Castle dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a moated site. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Moated Site 250m SW of Pencoed 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 MM201.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Wilcrick Hill Camp (1.6 km), Medieval Building adjoining Magor Churchyard (3 km), St. Mary's Churchyard Crosses, Magor (3 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 13 strands of Moated Site 250m SW of Pencoed Castle's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Moated Site 250m SW of Pencoed Castle stands on Upper Devonian Rocks (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Late Devonian. The rock here is sandstone and conglomerate, interbedded.