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Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales

The Keep at Brecon Barracks

Brecon, Powys, Wales

A Grade II listed building in Brecon, Powys, designated on 16 December 1976.

Ordnance Survey six-inch map, 2nd edition (1888–1913) covering the location of The Keep at Brecon Barracks, Powys, with a pin at the register's coordinates
Ordnance Survey six-inch map, 2nd edition (1888–1913), covering this location. Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland. The pin is ours, placed from the register's coordinates.

The record

Designation
Listed building, Grade II
Broad class
Defence
Date of designation
16 December 1976
Town
Brecon
Community
Brecon
Unitary authority
Powys
Country
Wales
Coordinates
51.94402, -3.38355
Cadw reference
7097

Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.

David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1608 map "(13) Cambriae Typus." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).

Historical maps covering this location

  • 1608 · (13) Cambriae Typus. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1636 · Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ... (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1856 · 42. Brecon. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1898 · 213 Brecon (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1901 · Sheet 14. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)

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This record in Cadw's own full report ↗

Cadw's description

On S side of barracks with elevations to the Watton, and Parade Ground to N.

Built in 1877. Circa 1960 windows and arrow loops were blocked when adapted as Cold War HQ, but are gradually being reinstated.

Medievalising block in brown stone with contrasting dressings. Central 4-storey keep with two taller staircase towers in Parade Ground (N) elevation. East wing of 3 storeys and 2-storey W wing. East and West wings with slate roofs; stone bands. Keep with crenellated parapet with machicolations; ashlar bands at levels of window heads and sills; quoins and window dressings in contrasting stone. Parade Ground side (N) elevation of 6 bays with towers and street elevation of eight. Street elevation has cantilevered bay window with corbelling. Towers in NE elevation with battered bases and crenellated parapet with machicolations; stair windows, three rising in steps on each floor. Many window openings (formerly with sash windows and louvres) now blocked.

Listed as part of the historic Barracks of Brecon, a rare surviving C19 barracks ensemble in Wales whose buildings have mutual Group Value.

Nearby in the register

Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.

Designated Historic Asset GIS Data, The Welsh Historic Environment Service (Cadw), 2026-09-07, licensed under the Open Government Licence http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ Cadw, the Welsh Historic Environment Service · Open Government Licence v3.0
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