Castle Ditches Camp

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of a defended enclosure, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 43). The enclosure is located on a narrow coastal promontory above the sea that marks part of the defensive circuit.

Level ground between the Colhugh Valley and the sea is partitioned by a series of three massive banks and ditches measuring about 45m overall. The outer two banks are of earth and rubble construction, the inner predominantly rubble, they measure up to 3.5m above the ditch bases, the ditches are c. 2.5m wide. The defences continue on around the north side of the enclosure where the outermost ditch is absent and the banks represented by a series terraces. Close to the western tip of the promontory slight traces of an inner enclosure bank and ditch have been reported. Progressive coastal erosion over the millennia has reduced the original scale of the enclosure. Promontory forts may have represented a symbol of power within the landscape and been associated the control of coastal trade.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later prehistoric defensive organisation and settlement. The site forms an important element within the wider later prehistoric context and within the surrounding landscape. The site is well preserved and retains considerable archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of evidence relating to chronology, layout, building techniques and functional detail.

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