Cefn Mably

Has been described as a Questionable Uncertain

There are no visible remains

NameCefn Mably
Alternative NamesCefnmabli; Cefn Mabli
Historic CountryGlamorgan
Modern AuthorityCaerphilly
1974 AuthorityMid Glamorgan
CommunityRudry

Approximately 1.8km WSW of Michaelston-y-Fedw Church, on high ground overlooking River Rhymney and reached by private drive W of minor road between Michaelston-y-Fedw and Rudry.

Probably established in the C15 by David Kemeys, but the earliest part of the present building dates from the late C16, built by Edward Kemeys, sheriff of Glamorgan, and consisted of a hall with cross passage to service rooms, and a parlour in a cross wing. The house was probably approached from the NE where a C16 gatehouse is incorporated into the later service block. (Listed Building Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Ruins of C16 house said to stand on site of hunting lodge or castle. Spurgeon writes this can be discounted as a castle site. The site appears isolated from settlement but position on spur overlooking crossing of the Afon Rhymni not inconsistent with hunting lodge or castle.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

This is a Grade 2 listed building protected by law

Historic Wales CADW listed database record number
The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceST223840
Latitude51.5500411987305
Longitude-3.12085008621216
Eastings322350
Northings184050
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. 254 (listed as possible)
  • Newman, J., 1995, Buildings of Wales: Glamorgan (Yale University Press) p. 320-1
  • Salter, Mike, 1991, The Castles of Gwent, Glamorgan and Gower (Malvern) p. 75 (slight)
  • RCAHMW, 1981, An Inventory of the Ancient Monuments in Glamorgan Vol. 4 Part 1: The Greater Houses (London: HMSO) no. 15 p. 159 (later house only)
  • Hague, D.B., 1971, in Pugh, T.B. (ed), Glamorgan County History Vol. 3 The Middle Ages (Cardiff) p. 439

Journals

  • Spurgeon, C.J. with Roberts, D.J. and Thomas, H.J., 1999, 'Supposed Castles in Glamorgan; A review' Archaeology in Wales Vol. 39 27-40