Pier Camp, Bangor

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Other/Unknown)

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

NamePier Camp, Bangor
Alternative Names
Historic CountryCaernarfonshire
Modern AuthorityGwynedd
1974 AuthorityGwynedd
CommunityBangor

The probable remains of a strong earthwork enclosure crowns the ridge on the north-west side of the Bangor valley. An 80m stretch of 3.0m high scarp, partly made up of outcropping rock, runs across the crest of the ridge. At the eastern end it turns at right angles to run north-east for up to 40m. An in-turn in this side may represent an entrance. The remainder of the circuit is uncertain, although it may have been up to 110m deep. On the west it appears to have rested upon the crest of steep seaward slopes. A fourth century (Constantinian) coin has been found on the site. Enclosures such as this appears to be are characteristic of Iron Age settlement, although they continued to be constructed and maintained throughout the Roman period and beyond. (Coflein)

Slight traces of castle earthwork. (King)

The remains of this site are as a low bank forming a scarp 2.5 m high, facing SSW, runs for 85 m in a WNW-ESE direction. It then turns and runs for some 37 m in a NNW direction (see sketch plan). A possible entrance exists in the S side, but it may equally be the result of modern disturbance. (Scheduling Report)

The remains of this site are as a low bank forming a scarp 2.5 m high, facing SSW, runs for 85 m in a WNW-ESE direction. It then turns and runs for some 37 m in a NNW direction (see sketch plan). A possible entrance exists in the S side, but it may equally be the result of modern disturbance. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Did King think this might have been the castle of Hugh Earl of Chester recorded by Camden as vanished in his time but said to have situated on the "upon the verie entry of" the Menai straight. This castle seems normally to be identified as Aber.

- 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 ReferenceSH580728
Latitude53.2334403991699
Longitude-4.12737989425659
Eastings258080
Northings372850
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Copyright Dave Barlow of Abaroths World All Rights ReservedView full Sized Image
Copyright Dave Barlow of Abaroths World All Rights ReservedView full Sized Image
Copyright Dave Barlow of Abaroths World All Rights ReservedView full Sized Image
Copyright Dave Barlow of Abaroths World All Rights ReservedView full Sized Image
Copyright Dave Barlow of Abaroths World All Rights ReservedView full Sized Image
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Books

  • Purton, Peter, 2012, 'The first private castles at war' Château Gaillard Vol. 25 p. 307-14
  • Salter, Mike, 1997, The Castles of North Wales (Malvern) p. 49 (slight)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus)
  • RCAHMW, 1960, A Survey and Inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Caernarvonshire Vol. 2: Central (HMSO) p. 16 no. 699 online copy

Antiquarian