Scheduled MonumentsWalesYstradowen Castle Mound
Medieval · Motte

Ystradowen Castle Mound

Wales
Cadw SAM GM228
Period
Medieval
Site type
Motte
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Ystradowen Castle Mound is a motte, a defensive earthwork characteristic of Norman settlement in Wales, located in the parish of Ystradowen in Glamorgan. The monument consists of a prominent artificial mound constructed during the medieval period, typical of the late eleventh and twelfth centuries when such fortifications were established to exert territorial control over conquered Welsh lands. The motte would originally have supported a wooden palisade and possibly a timber tower, serving as both a military strongpoint and a symbol of Norman authority. Though no substantial masonry remains visible, the earthwork survives as a significant archaeological record of Norman military strategy in South Wales.

Ystradowen Castle Mound is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference GM228. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Ystradowen Castle Mound?

Ystradowen Castle Mound is a motte, a defensive earthwork characteristic of Norman settlement in Wales, located in the parish of Ystradowen in Glamorgan. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference GM228.

What period does Ystradowen Castle Mound date from?

Ystradowen Castle Mound dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Ystradowen Castle Mound?

Ystradowen Castle Mound 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 GM228.

What other scheduled monuments are near Ystradowen Castle Mound?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Round Barrow Cairn, 340m west of The Parwg (9.2 km), Deserted Medieval Village North East of Rock Farm (9.5 km), West Orchard Manor House (9.5 km).

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