Scheduled MonumentsWalesRadnor Castle
Medieval · Motte and Bailey

Radnor Castle

Radnorshire, Wales
Cadw SAM RD033
Period
Medieval
Site type
Motte and Bailey
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Radnor Castle is a motte and bailey fortress constructed in the early Norman period, likely in the late eleventh or early twelfth century, commanding the valley of the River Radnor in Radnorshire. The castle comprises a substantial earthen motte, or artificial mound, surrounded by a bailey or outer defensive enclosure, representing a typical Norman defensive strategy for controlling the Welsh border territories. The site was strategically positioned to guard the important route through central Wales and to assert Norman control over the region during the period of Anglo-Norman expansion into Welsh lands. Though now reduced to earthwork remains, the castle's prominent topography and defensive configuration preserve important evidence of early medieval military architecture and settlement in the Radnor valley.

Radnor Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference RD033. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Radnor Castle?

Radnor Castle is a motte and bailey fortress constructed in the early Norman period, likely in the late eleventh or early twelfth century, commanding the valley of the River Radnor in Radnorshire. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference RD033.

What period does Radnor Castle date from?

Radnor Castle dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte and bailey. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Radnor Castle?

Radnor 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 RD033.

What other scheduled monuments are near Radnor Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Gilwern Brook round barrow (5.6 km), Worsell Wood cairn cemetery (5.7 km), Llanfihangel Hill round barrow (5.9 km).

Aubrey Research

Generate a full report for this location

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in Britain — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.

Research the area around Radnor Castle