Scheduled MonumentsWalesWat's Dyke: Section SSW of Wrexham Station, 130m Long
Early Medieval · Linear Earthwork

Wat's Dyke: Section SSW of Wrexham Station, 130m Long

Denbighshire, Wales
Cadw SAM DE191
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 linear earthwork of Early Medieval date forming part of a significant defensive boundary system in the Welsh Marches. This section, extending approximately 130 metres south-south-west of Wrexham Station, preserves a substantial portion of the dyke's characteristic form as a substantial bank with ditch. The monument dates to the seventh or eighth century and is traditionally associated with Aethelbald of Mercia, though its precise chronology and the identity of its builder remain subjects of scholarly debate. The dyke represents an important fortified frontier, running for many miles across north-east Wales and the borderlands, and serves as significant evidence for early medieval territorial control and military engineering in the region.

Wat's Dyke: Section SSW of Wrexham Station, 130m Long is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference DE191. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Wat's Dyke: Section SSW of Wrexham Station, 130m Long?

Wat's Dyke is a linear earthwork of Early Medieval date forming part of a significant defensive boundary system in the Welsh Marches. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference DE191.

What period does Wat's Dyke: Section SSW of Wrexham Station, 130m Long date from?

Wat's Dyke: Section SSW of Wrexham Station, 130m Long dates from the early medieval period, and is classified as a linear earthwork. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Wat's Dyke: Section SSW of Wrexham Station, 130m Long?

Wat's Dyke: Section SSW of Wrexham Station, 130m Long 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 DE191.

What other scheduled monuments are near Wat's Dyke: Section SSW of Wrexham Station, 130m Long?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Wat's Dyke: Section extending from Black Brook Bridge to Pentre-Clawdd (5.8 km), Gardden Camp (6.7 km), Offa's Dyke: Y Gardden Camp Section (6.8 km).

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