Minwear Ringwork

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Ringwork)

There are earthwork remains

NameMinwear Ringwork
Alternative Names
Historic CountryPembrokeshire
Modern AuthorityPembrokeshire
1974 AuthorityDyfed
CommunityMartletwy

The sub-circular defended enclosure at Minwear Wood Nursery measures c.40m in diameter. It is set upon a gradual SE facing slope, defined by a ditch and bank. (Coflein as Iron Age defended enclosure)

Sited on the sloping west side of the valley of the Penglyn Brook, tributary of the eastern Cleddau, and now within coniferous Forestry Commission plantation adjacent to a nursery. Although not now overplanted it is overgrown. The ringwork is circular with a single bank and ditch and an internal area slightly raised above the external. The Cadw description of 'ringwork' rather than the OS 'enclosure' suggests that this may be of medieval rather than Iron Age date. HJ after Cadw AM107 April 20000. SAM PE433. (Dyfed Archaeological Trust HER)

The monument comprises the remains of a well preserved castle-ringwork, which dates to the early part of the medieval period (c. AD 1066 - 1485). The ringwork is located on sloping ground, by the side of a steep cwm, which falls to the Penglyn Brook to the east. The earthwork is circular, 28m in diameter in the interior, and the surrounding bank is approximately 2m high, externally and 5m wide. The external ditch is 1m deep and 5m wide. The interior of the earthwork is somewhat higher than the external ground, and the bank has an external height of only 30cm. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Damaged oval enclosure, possible ringwork or Iron Age fort. Within 400m of the remains of a medieval church and, presumably, a DMV although the manorial centre seems to be Castell Coch at SN071136.

- 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 ReferenceSN061134
Latitude51.7862510681152
Longitude-4.81151008605957
Eastings206180
Northings213470
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 257 (listed as possible)
  • Hull, Lise, 2005, Castles and Bishops Palaces of Pembrokeshire (Logaston Press) p. 141
  • Davis, Paul, 2000, A Company of Forts. A Guide to the Medieval Castles of West Wales (Gomer Press) p. 37
  • Salter, Mike, 1996, The Castles of South West Wales (Malvern) p. 87 (slight)
  • Miles, Dillwyn, 1979 (Revised 1988), Castles of Pembrokeshire (Pembrokeshire Coast National Park) p. 5-7
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 395

Journals

  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1970, 'Castles in Wales and the Marches (Additions and corrections to lists published in 1963 and 1967)' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 119 p. 119-124
  • King, D.J.C. and Alcock, L., 1969, 'Ringworks in England and Wales' Château Gaillard Vol. 3 p. 90-127
  • Talbot, 1966, Archaeology in Wales Vol. 6 p. 23