Castell Bach, Llanwinio

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte Ringwork)

There are earthwork remains

NameCastell Bach, Llanwinio
Alternative Names
Historic CountryCarmarthenshire
Modern AuthorityCarmarthenshire
1974 AuthorityDyfed
CommunityLlanwinio

A ditched circular mound, c.30m in diameter & 12m high, having a summit area, c.20m across; set c.200m NE of a further suspected castle site (Nprn304212). (Coflein)

Castell Bach motte is situated in the SW corner of a pasture field and is fenced off from the surrounding area. It is very overgrown with trees and bracken. There is a ditch c.1.6m deep surrounding the mound except at the northern side where the ground falls steeply down to a small brook water originating from a spring further east. ER Evans 29-02-84 (Dyfed Archaeological Trust HER)

The monument comprises the remains of a motte and ditch, dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). A motte is a large conical or pyramidal mound of soil and/or stone, usually surrounded by either a wet or dry ditch, and surmounted by a tower constructed of timber or stone. Castell Bach measures 20ft high and 60ft in diameter across the top of the mound. There is a ditch on three sides and the ground falls away steeply on the fourth. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

An isolated motte, or possible ring motte, having faint traces of a ditch, but no sign of a bailey. Set across a stream valley from the possible castle site of Castell Mawr.

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSN247275
Latitude51.9190711975098
Longitude-4.54946994781494
Eastings224770
Northings227580
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.

Calculate Print

Books

  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 236 (listed)
  • Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p. 58
  • Davis, Paul, 2000, A Company of Forts. A Guide to the Medieval Castles of West Wales (Gomer Press) p. 28
  • Salter, Mike, 1996, The Castles of South West Wales (Malvern) p. 46 (slight)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 58
  • RCAHMW, 1917, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Carmarthenshire (HMSO) p. 200 no. 588 online copy

Journals

  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1963, 'Early castles in Wales and the Marches: a preliminary list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 112 p. 77-124