Castell Dol Wllf, Llanwenog

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Ringwork)

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

NameCastell Dol Wllf, Llanwenog
Alternative NamesCastell Santesau; Castell Sant Esau; Castell Sant Esen; Castell Sant Hesse
Historic CountryCardiganshire
Modern AuthorityCeredigion
1974 AuthorityDyfed
CommunityLlanwenog

OS County series (Cardigan. XLI.7 1889; 1905) depicts a subrectangular mound, some 30m north-east to south-west by 24m, set on the the tip of a south-facing spur, resting on steep natural scarps above the Teifi river-plain to the east and ditched to the west; thought to represent a medieval castle mound, the earthworks have been largely destroyed by building activities. (Coflein)

Castell Dolwlff is situated on a scarp edged promontory overlooking the Afon Teifi at 99m above sea level. The steep fall of c. 9m down to the river on its eastern side afforded good natural defence to this former 24m diameter ringwork; the remaining defences comprised a strong bank and 6m wide ditch on the north and west sides. The site was formerly scheduled (SAM no. Cd 75) but became so mutillated by building development and landscaping that it was descheduled in 1990. Very little, if any, of the original defences are now evident save for the scarp to the east and south overlooking the river. (Dyfed Archaeological Trust HER)

Gatehouse Comments

Ringwork mostly removed in 1968.

- 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 ReferenceSN520445
Latitude52.0798606872559
Longitude-4.15992021560669
Eastings252020
Northings244530
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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

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Books

  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 252 (listed as possible)
  • Davis, Paul, 2000, A Company of Forts. A Guide to the Medieval Castles of West Wales (Gomer Press) p. 29
  • Reid, Alan, 1998, Castles of Wales (John Jones Publishing) p. 52
  • 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. 47
  • Rees, Wm, 1932, Map of South Wales and the Border in the 14th century (Ordnance Survey) (A handbook to the map was published in 1933)

Journals

  • King, D.J.C. and Alcock, L., 1969, 'Ringworks in England and Wales' Château Gaillard Vol. 3 p. 90-127
  • 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
  • King, D.J.C., 1956, 'The Castles of Cardiganshire' Ceredigion Vol. 3 p. 64 no. 23 online copy
  • Evans, 1931, Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 86 p. 408-9
  • Evans, D.C., 1930, 'Rhydlan Deifi' Transactions of the Cardiganshire Antiquarian Society Vol. 7 p. 69 online copy