Scheduled MonumentsWalesSwansea Castle
Medieval · Castle

Swansea Castle

Wales
Cadw SAM GM012
Period
Medieval
Site type
Castle
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Swansea Castle is a medieval fortress founded in the early twelfth century, likely around 1106, by Henry de Beaumont following the Norman conquest of Glamorgan. The castle occupies a commanding position on a steep rock outcrop overlooking the River Tawe and the settlement of Swansea, serving as both a defensive stronghold and administrative centre for the Norman lordship. Its surviving structures include a substantial stone keep and curtain wall fragments, evidence of significant investment in stone fortification during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The castle remained an important military and administrative installation throughout the medieval period, though it declined in strategic importance following the Tudor conquest of Wales in the early sixteenth century.

Swansea Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference GM012. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Swansea Castle?

Swansea Castle is a medieval fortress founded in the early twelfth century, likely around 1106, by Henry de Beaumont following the Norman conquest of Glamorgan. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference GM012.

What period does Swansea Castle date from?

Swansea 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 Swansea Castle?

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 GM012.

What other scheduled monuments are near Swansea Castle?

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

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