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Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales

Norton Camp

Penrice, Swansea, Wales

A scheduled monument in Penrice, Swansea, recorded as Ringwork (Medieval).

Ordnance Survey six-inch map, 2nd edition (1888–1913) covering the location of Norton Camp, Penrice, Swansea, with a pin at the register's coordinates
Ordnance Survey six-inch map, 2nd edition (1888–1913), covering this location. Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland. The pin is ours, placed from the register's coordinates.

The record

Designation
Scheduled monument
Site type
Ringwork
Period
Medieval
Community
Penrice
Unitary authority
Swansea
Country
Wales
Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
51.55952, -4.17751
SAM number
GM157
Cadw record number
3746

Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.

David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1636 map "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).

Historical maps covering this location

  • 1636 · Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ... (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1637 · The fourth table of England. Cornub. Devonia, Somerset etc. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1865 · England and Wales. England No. 6. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1891 · Sheet 10. Ordnance Survey of England and Wales. . (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1907 · 246 Worms Head (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)

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This record in Cadw's own full report ↗

Cadw's description

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

The monument comprises the remains of a well preserved castle-ringwork, which dates to the medieval period (c. AD 1066 - 1485). Norton Camp occupies a small peninsula site. The main defences, a single bank and ditch, are constructed across the neck of the peninsula. The rampart curves inward to control the entrance - along the scarp on the steep north-east side, there are subsidiary works, facing outwards, at the tip of the spur. A levelled house site, probably of later date, lies just within the entrance.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval settlement, organisation and defence. The site forms an important element within the wider medieval landscape. It 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.

Nearby in the register

Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.

Designated Historic Asset GIS Data, The Welsh Historic Environment Service (Cadw), 2026-09-07, licensed under the Open Government Licence http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ Cadw, the Welsh Historic Environment Service · Open Government Licence v3.0
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