Scheduled MonumentsWalesOffa's Dyke: Section N & S of Plas-Offa
Early Medieval · Linear Earthwork

Offa's Dyke: Section N & S of Plas-Offa

Denbighshire, Wales
Cadw SAM DE138
Period
Early Medieval
Site type
Linear Earthwork
Broad class
Monument
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Offa's Dyke: Section N & S of Plas-Offa is a linear earthwork of Early Medieval date forming part of the extensive defensive or boundary system traditionally attributed to King Offa of Mercia in the late eighth century. This section in Denbighshire preserves portions of the ditch and bank construction characteristic of the monument as a whole, which extends for some seventy miles along the Anglo-Welsh border. The Plas-Offa location represents one of the surviving segments where the earthwork's physical dimensions remain archaeologically significant, with the dyke typically comprising a substantial bank accompanied by a parallel ditch. Though traditionally dated to Offa's reign in the 760s–790s, the precise chronology and extent of construction attributable to his period remain subjects of scholarly debate, with some sections possibly representing earlier or later activity along this contested frontier.

Offa's Dyke: Section N & S of Plas-Offa is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference DE138. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Offa's Dyke: Section N & S of Plas-Offa?

Offa's Dyke: Section N & S of Plas-Offa is a linear earthwork of Early Medieval date forming part of the extensive defensive or boundary system traditionally attributed to King Offa of Mercia in the late eighth century. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference DE138.

What period does Offa's Dyke: Section N & S of Plas-Offa date from?

Offa's Dyke: Section N & S of Plas-Offa dates from the early medieval period, and is classified as a linear earthwork. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Offa's Dyke: Section N & S of Plas-Offa?

Offa's Dyke: Section N & S of Plas-Offa 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 DE138.

What other scheduled monuments are near Offa's Dyke: Section N & S of Plas-Offa?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Orseddwen cairn (7.3 km), Wat's Dyke: 140m long section, 370m south west of Gobowen Station (7.7 km), Wat's Dyke: 180m long section, 170m east of Pentre-wern (7.8 km).

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