Scheduled MonumentsWalesTop Castle
Prehistoric · Ringwork

Top Castle

Carmarthenshire, Wales
Cadw SAM CM039
Period
Prehistoric
Site type
Ringwork
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Top Castle is a prehistoric ringwork situated in Carmarthenshire, Wales. The site comprises a circular or sub-circular defensive earthwork formed by one or more banks and ditches, typical of Iron Age hillforts or earlier Bronze Age settlement enclosures found across South Wales. Its exact dating and functional purpose remain subjects of archaeological consideration, though such ringworks commonly served defensive or administrative roles during the prehistoric period. The monument's topographical position and earthwork construction reflect the strategic land management practices of prehistoric communities in the region.

Top Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference CM039. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Top Castle?

Top Castle is a prehistoric ringwork situated in Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference CM039.

What period does Top Castle date from?

Top Castle dates from the prehistoric period, and is classified as a ringwork. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Top Castle?

Top 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 CM039.

What other scheduled monuments are near Top Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including The Castle, Woodreefe (1.3 km), Garness Farm, round barrow 400m to SW of (1.8 km), Trelessy Defended Enclosure (2 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 Top Castle