Scheduled MonumentsWalesSkenfrith Castle
Medieval · Castle

Skenfrith Castle

Wales
Cadw SAM MM088
Period
Medieval
Site type
Castle
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Skenfrith Castle is a medieval stronghold located in Monmouthshire, Wales, dating principally to the early thirteenth century. The castle was established as one of the Three Castles of Gwent, alongside Grosmont and White Castle, forming a defensive network in the March of Wales. The surviving structure comprises a substantial circular stone keep set within a quadrangular curtain wall, with a moated enclosure that demonstrates the sophistication of its defensive design. Built under Norman lordship and later held by the Crown, Skenfrith served as an important administrative and military centre throughout the medieval period, though it fell into decline following the Tudor period.

Skenfrith Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference MM088. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Skenfrith Castle?

Skenfrith Castle is a medieval stronghold located in Monmouthshire, Wales, dating principally to the early thirteenth century. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference MM088.

What period does Skenfrith Castle date from?

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

Who is responsible for protecting Skenfrith Castle?

Skenfrith 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 MM088.

What other scheduled monuments are near Skenfrith Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Middle Hendre Round Barrow (6.5 km), Site of Grace Dieu Abbey (7.2 km), Penrhos Mound & Bailey Castle (8.5 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 Skenfrith Castle