Tywyn-y-Parc Promontory Fort

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Promontory isolated from mainland by massive major ramparts and two subsidiary banks.

The main bank runs across the neck of the promontory from the S side and stops just short of the N side; the short gap between the end of the bank and the cliff may have been the entrance. The bank is about 70 m long, 8 m wide and 2.5 m high; there is a small outer ditch. The outer defences consist of two banks which just overlap. The bank to the NW is about 70 m long and between 0.5 and 1.0 m high from the inside, and between 1.5 and 1.8 m high from the bottom of the external ditch. On the E side is a similar low bank, about 36 m long and 1.25 m high from the bottom of the external ditch. Along the NW side of the fort a strong stone wall some 135 m long has been constructed along the top of the cliff edge. Some of this wall is falling over the edge, but much of the bottom course remains. Some finds of Roman date have been found.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of Prehistoric/ Romano British settlement and defence. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The structures themselves may be expected to contain archaeological information concerning chronology and building techniques.

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