Scheduled MonumentsWalesOriginal Swansea Castle
Medieval · Castle

Original Swansea Castle

Wales
Cadw SAM GM441
Period
Medieval
Site type
Castle
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Original Swansea Castle is a medieval fortress established in the early twelfth century following the Norman conquest of Glamorgan. The castle occupies a strategic location overlooking the River Tawe and the settlement that would develop into Swansea town, serving as a key administrative and defensive centre for Norman lordship in south Wales. The surviving remains comprise earthwork fortifications including a motte-and-bailey structure with associated ditching, characteristic of early Norman castle construction in Wales. The site represents an important phase in the militarisation of the South Welsh landscape during the period of Norman territorial expansion and consolidation in the twelfth century.

Original Swansea Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference GM441. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Original Swansea Castle?

Original Swansea Castle is a medieval fortress established in the early twelfth century following the Norman conquest of Glamorgan. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference GM441.

What period does Original Swansea Castle date from?

Original Swansea Castle dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a castle. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Original Swansea Castle?

Original Swansea 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 GM441.

What other scheduled monuments are near Original Swansea Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Swansea Castle (0.1 km), Foxhole River Staithes (1.2 km), White Rock Copper Works (1.7 km).

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