Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Dolbenmaen Castle Mound
Dolbenmaen, Gwynedd, Wales
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
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1795 "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).
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.