Bryniau Tower

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of a masonry tower about 5m high, penannular in plan with a diameter of about 3.5m and walls 1.2m thick. It is marked as an antiquity on OS maps and is thought to have been built in the 17th century. It may have been part of a system of lookouts designed to give warning of pirate attacks but the surviving remains could, from their appearance, easily be medieval and might have some connection with Deganwy Castle about 800m to the south-south-west, or even Conwy.

As a coastal watchtower the significant views are to westward in an arc from north-west to south-west over Conwy Bay with specific views to Llandrillo yn Rhos church which may have been part of the system to combat piracy, and to the south-south-west towards Deganwy Castle.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of 17th century defence. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The structure itself 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.