Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Neath Castle
Neath, Neath Port Talbot, Wales
A Grade II* listed building in Neath, Neath Port Talbot, designated on 5 January 1989.
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II*
- Broad class
- Defence
- Date of designation
- 5 January 1989
- Community
- Neath
- Unitary authority
- Neath Port Talbot
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 51.66507, -3.80348
- Cadw reference
- 11775
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1636 map "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1636 · Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ... (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1637 · The fourth table of England. Cornub. Devonia, Somerset etc. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1865 · England and Wales. England No. 6. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1891 · Sheet 10. Ordnance Survey of England and Wales. . (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1897 · 247 Swansea (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
Cadw's description
Location
Situated between the Hall and Castle Street at the northern end of the Old Town.
History
Late C12 motte besieged by Caradoc ap Iestyn, Lord of Afan in 1185. Works revetted with stone in C13 and 2 towers and a gatehouse added. Castle taken by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth in 1231 and attached again in 1258 when town was destroyed. Captured in 1321 by Earl of Hereford during baronial wars when site was levelled and a new castle erected on the site.
Exterior
Rounded earthwork trace with stone revetment walls. Substantial remains of twin towered gatehouse to W. Three storey, D ended, rubble-work towers, traces of limestone dressings, evidence of C19 repair work. Decayed arrow slits to all floors, one intact to second floor right hand tower, numerous putlog holes. Machiolation arch over gateway at wall walk height, stone voussoirs, impost block survives to right. Blocked lancet over gateway. Pointed 2 order roll moulded arch to gate. Traces of barbican? to front. Steps of earlier C13 gatehouse within gate passage. Short length of curtain to right,single decayed arrow slit.
The building was in a neglected condition, at the time of inspection (June 1988).
Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Nearby in the register
- Neath CastleCastleunder 1 mi
- Friends Meeting HouseReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Moose HallReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- 7a Old Market StreetCommercialunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.