Aberlleiniog Castle

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a description of the Scheduled Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of a motte and bailey castle with a later stone keep on top of the motte. The top of the motte stands about 8m above the level of the ditch, and its diameter across the top is 28m. The motte is surrounded by a dry ditch 11m wide and between 1 and 2 m deep. On the south side are the remains of a bailey consisting of two mounds lying against the ditch on the east and west sides and slight traces of a bank on the east side. A steep gully runs outside the west mound. The stone structure on top of the motte is about 18m square with a tower at each corner, although the east tower no longer exists. The walls remain to a height of 2-3 m and are about 0.75 m wide. Each length of walling is supported by three small buttresses. The entrance was probably on the SE side where there is now a 2 m wide gap. The north tower has been rebuilt and now stands about 4.5m high and is lit by 5 rectangular loops. The south and west towers are in a very poor state of repair and are leaning outwards at a dangerous angle. The motte and ditch are covered with trees and overgrown with bramble. The motte is thought to have been built by Hugh of Avranches, Earl of Chester in 1088-90.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval building and fortification practices. It retains significant archaeological potential and there is a strong probability of the presence of structural evidence.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.