Scheduled MonumentsWalesWat's Dyke: Sections S of Bryn y Bal
Early Medieval · Linear Earthwork

Wat's Dyke: Sections S of Bryn y Bal

Flintshire, Wales
Cadw SAM FL121
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 that forms part of the defensive frontier system of the Welsh-English borderlands. This section south of Bryn y Bal in Flintshire represents a portion of a substantial bank and ditch construction that extends for approximately forty miles along the border region. The dyke is conventionally attributed to the eighth century, though debate continues regarding its precise chronology and whether it was constructed under a single programme or over an extended period. Its physical form, comprising an earthen bank with an associated ditch on the western face, reflects strategic investment in territorial demarcation and defence during the early medieval period of Anglo-Welsh interaction.

Wat's Dyke: Sections S of Bryn y Bal is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference FL121. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Wat's Dyke: Sections S of Bryn y Bal?

Wat's Dyke is a linear earthwork of Early Medieval date that forms part of the defensive frontier system of the Welsh-English borderlands. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference FL121.

What period does Wat's Dyke: Sections S of Bryn y Bal date from?

Wat's Dyke: Sections S of Bryn y Bal 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: Sections S of Bryn y Bal?

Wat's Dyke: Sections S of Bryn y Bal 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 FL121.

What other scheduled monuments are near Wat's Dyke: Sections S of Bryn y Bal?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Pen-y-stryt round barrow (6.9 km), Offa's Dyke: Section extending 477m from Coed Talon Banks (7 km), Pentre round barrow (7.3 km).

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