Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Dolbenmaen Castle Mound
Dolbenmaen, Gwynedd, Wales
A scheduled monument in Dolbenmaen, Gwynedd, recorded as Motte (Medieval).
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Motte
- Period
- Medieval
- Community
- Dolbenmaen
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 52.96413, -4.22509
- SAM number
- CN063
- Cadw record number
- 564
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of WalesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1795 map "To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most humbly inscribed by his obedient humble servant" (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1795 · To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most… (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales)
- 1883 · Watershed map England, Wales 3. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1896 · Sheet 7. Ordnance Survey of England and Wales. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1899 · 118 Nevin (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1901 · Sheet 9 and 10. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
Cadw's description
Summary description and reason for designation
The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.
A motte built by the side of the Afon Dwyfor, part of which has been destroyed by the farmhouse and buildings which lie on the W side. It stands about 6 m high and is 36 m in diameter at the base. The top measures 8 m N - S and 11 m W - E. A masonry wall 0.75 - 1 m high encircles the top. The area inside this wall has been damaged by trees which have grown and subsequently fallen, creating large holes. The same thing has happened on the sides of the motte. The ditch, visible on the S and W sides, is between 0.75 and 1 m deep, and about 7 m wide.
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval 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.
Nearby in the register
- Washhouse Building at Plas DolbenmaenAgriculture and Subsistenceunder 1 mi
- NW Range of Farm Buildings at Plas DolbenmaenAgriculture and Subsistenceunder 1 mi
- NE Range of Farm Buildings at Plas DolbenmaenAgriculture and Subsistenceunder 1 mi
- Plas DolbenmaenDomesticunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.