Garden Wall of The Mynde

Cadw's description

Location

Along the south east side of Castle Lane at the southern end.

History

This wall is a part of the wall constructed round The Mynde (now No 14 High Street) in 1839. The owner of the house and of Ponthir Plate Works, John Jenkins, was frightened by the possibility of violence and destruction of property by the Chartist Movement and built the wall right round his property to protect it. It is now in six different ownerships, but continues to be visually very important to Caerleon. Its fortress like appearance pays respect to the Castle Mound, a large Norman motte within the enclosure.

Exterior

Coursed squared local red sandstone and conglomerate rubble wall rising from 4 to 5m in height. The castellations may have been removed. There is a 4-centred arch doorway with a plank door and then the modern entrance to The Mynde. It is about 50m long. Interior face not seen.

Reason for designation

Included as a fine wall built in 1839 with historic associations and group value with the surrounding buildings in the centre of Caerleon.