Scheduled MonumentsWalesWat's Dyke: Section extending from Middle Sontley to Black Brook Bridge
Early Medieval · Linear Earthwork

Wat's Dyke: Section extending from Middle Sontley to Black Brook Bridge

Denbighshire, Wales
Cadw SAM DE153
Period
Early Medieval
Site type
Linear Earthwork
Broad class
Monument
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Wat's Dyke is a Early Medieval linear earthwork that forms part of an extensive defensive frontier system constructed in the borderlands of Wales and England. This particular section extends between Middle Sontley and Black Brook Bridge in Denbighshire and comprises a substantial bank and ditch formation typical of the dyke's construction throughout its course. The earthwork is attributed to the 8th century and is believed to represent a territorial boundary or defensive barrier, possibly erected under the authority of Mercian rulers during the Anglo-Saxon period. The monument survives as a significant archaeological record of early medieval border demarcation in the Welsh Marches.

Wat's Dyke: Section extending from Middle Sontley to Black Brook Bridge is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference DE153. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Wat's Dyke: Section extending from Middle Sontley to Black Brook Bridge?

Wat's Dyke is a Early Medieval linear earthwork that forms part of an extensive defensive frontier system constructed in the borderlands of Wales and England. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference DE153.

What period does Wat's Dyke: Section extending from Middle Sontley to Black Brook Bridge date from?

Wat's Dyke: Section extending from Middle Sontley to Black Brook Bridge dates from the early medieval period, and is classified as a linear earthwork. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Wat's Dyke: Section extending from Middle Sontley to Black Brook Bridge?

Wat's Dyke: Section extending from Middle Sontley to Black Brook Bridge 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 DE153.

What other scheduled monuments are near Wat's Dyke: Section extending from Middle Sontley to Black Brook Bridge?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Medieval cross in St Mary's churchyard, Dudleston (8.1 km), Offa's Dyke: Caeau-Gwynion Section (8.3 km), Offa's Dyke: Chirk Park Section extending NE from the Lake (8.8 km).

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