Castlefacts³

Castell Gwern

Has been described as a Questionable Uncertain

There are uncertain remains

Name	Castell Gwern
Alternative Names
Historic Country	Glamorgan
Modern Authority	Neath Port Talbot
1974 Authority	West Glamorgan
Community	Cwmavon

Castle mention by Rice Merrick (c1520-87) as lying within Ynys-afan parish in the Afan valley. It was then in 'utter ruin', and, if genuinely medieval, was probably the work of the lords of Afan. (Davis 1988)

Gatehouse Comments

Ynys Afan is an old name of Cwmafan also known as Michaelston-super-Avon. The valley floor has been much disturbed by mining and development but the obvious feature likely to be taken as a castle in this area is Pen y Castle at SS788917, 'An oval enclosure, c.72m E-W by 32m, occupying the summit of a steep sided hill, defined by two concentric banks, or scarps, c.10m apart and having an E facing entrance' (Coflein NPRN 307232). The likely motte at Cwm Clais, Castell Bolan is in Cwmavon Community and may well have been in Ynys-afan parish but the site is not strictly in the Afan valley.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record

www.cofiadurcahcymru.org.uk/arch/ggat/english/ggat_whatis.html

OS Map Grid Reference	SS788917
Latitude	51.6114196777344
Longitude	-3.75099992752075
Eastings	278800
Northings	191700