Scheduled MonumentsWalesNeath Castle
Medieval · Castle

Neath Castle

Wales
Cadw SAM GM039
Period
Medieval
Site type
Castle
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Neath Castle is a Norman castle founded in the late eleventh century in the Vale of Neath in Glamorgan, Wales. The castle comprises a motte and bailey earthwork with stone fortifications, including a substantial stone keep and curtain walls constructed during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. It served as an important centre of Anglo-Norman military control and administration in the region following the conquest of Glamorgan. The castle declined in significance during the later medieval period and was eventually abandoned, leaving substantial earthwork remains and fragmentary masonry structures that survive to the present day.

Neath Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference GM039. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Neath Castle?

Neath Castle is a Norman castle founded in the late eleventh century in the Vale of Neath in Glamorgan, Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference GM039.

What period does Neath Castle date from?

Neath 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 Neath Castle?

Neath 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 GM039.

What other scheduled monuments are near Neath Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Buarth y Gaer, Mynydd y Gaer (4.4 km), Craig Ty-Isaf Camp (4.4 km), Remains of Brunel Dock, Briton Ferry (4.7 km).

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