Scheduled MonumentsWalesPorth y Bwch Defended Enclosure
Prehistoric · Promontory Fort - coastal

Porth y Bwch Defended Enclosure

Pembrokeshire, Wales
Cadw SAM PE548
Period
Prehistoric
Site type
Promontory Fort - coastal
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Porth y Bwch Defended Enclosure is a prehistoric promontory fort located on the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales. The monument occupies a naturally defensible headland position and is defined by artificial defensive works comprising banks and ditches that cut across the promontory to create an enclosed settlement area. Dating to the Iron Age, the site exemplifies the promontory fort tradition characteristic of coastal Wales during the later prehistoric period, wherein natural topography was enhanced with constructed defences to create secure settlements and potential centres of local control. The monument remains an important archaeological record of Iron Age settlement patterns and defensive strategies in southwest Wales.

Porth y Bwch Defended Enclosure is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference PE548. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Porth y Bwch Defended Enclosure?

Porth y Bwch Defended Enclosure is a prehistoric promontory fort located on the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference PE548.

What period does Porth y Bwch Defended Enclosure date from?

Porth y Bwch Defended Enclosure dates from the prehistoric period, and is classified as a promontory fort - coastal. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Porth y Bwch Defended Enclosure?

Porth y Bwch Defended Enclosure 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 PE548.

What other scheduled monuments are near Porth y Bwch Defended Enclosure?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Burial Chamber (0.6 km), Lime Kilns (1.1 km), Promontory Fort S of Solva Harbour (1.1 km).

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