Town Wall at Watton Mount

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

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

The monument comprises the remains of a stretch of the 13th century medieval town wall of Brecon. The wall was built to enclose the 12th century expansion of the town. Along the line of the wall there were several towers as well as four gateways leading into the town: the Watton Gate (east), the Strowed or Struet Gate (north), the Water Gate (at the crossing of the Honddu) and the Bridge Gate (towards Llanfaes).

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval defensive organisation and of the growth of towns. The monument forms an important element within the wider medieval context and the structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information in regard to chronology, building techniques and functional detail. It forms an important part of the heritage of Brecon and is, at the time of the scheduling revision, in a disgraceful state of neglect.

The area to be scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is broadly rectangular and measures 48m from NE to SW by 26m transversely.