Scheduled MonumentsWalesPen y Castell
Prehistoric · Hillfort

Pen y Castell

Wales
Cadw SAM MG082
Period
Prehistoric
Site type
Hillfort
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Pen y Castell is a prehistoric hillfort situated in Monmouthshire, Wales, designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument under Cadw reference SAM MG082. The site consists of a substantial defensive earthwork comprising banks and ditches positioned to exploit the natural topography of the hilltop, characteristic of Iron Age fort construction in Wales. Pen y Castell dates to the Iron Age period and represents the type of fortified settlement that would have served as a focal point for tribal authority, defence, and communal activity during the pre-Roman period. The monument remains a significant archaeological resource for understanding settlement patterns and territorial control in prehistoric South Wales.

Pen y Castell is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference MG082. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Pen y Castell?

Pen y Castell is a prehistoric hillfort situated in Monmouthshire, Wales, designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument under Cadw reference SAM MG082. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference MG082.

What period does Pen y Castell date from?

Pen y Castell dates from the prehistoric period, and is classified as a hillfort. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Pen y Castell?

Pen y Castell 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 MG082.

What other scheduled monuments are near Pen y Castell?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Dolgwden Enclosure (1.5 km), Penyclun Lead Mine (1.7 km), Pen y Clun Camp (2.1 km).

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