Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Cymmer Castle
Llanelltyd, Gwynedd, Wales
A scheduled monument in Llanelltyd, Gwynedd, recorded as Motte (Medieval).
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Motte
- Period
- Medieval
- Date of designation
- 26 September 1994
- Community
- Llanelltyd
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 52.75854, -3.88076
- SAM number
- ME150
- Cadw record number
- 533
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 · 135 Harlech (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.
Cymmer Castle stands on a prominent hilltop overlooking the valley leading down to the Mawddach estuary. The site is of considerable importance as the earliest surviving example of a castle mound constructed by a Welsh Lord. The Brut y Tywysogion records that it was built by Uchdryd ab Edwin in 1116. The centre of the mound has been disturbed by a more recent folly or 'gazebo' which stands on the top.
The steep-sided mound measures about 40m across and rises approximately 5-8m above the surrounding ground. The top is flat, measuring about 14m across from NNW-SSE. The sides are particularly steep around the N, W and S, but on the E side there is a more gradual ramped approach, probably associated with the folly which crowns the mound.
The folly or 'gazebo' is a rectangular, stone-built tower, probably associated with the Nannau Estate, it measures approximately 6.5m by 7.5m but is now ruined. It appears to have had three floors; a cellar sunk partly into the mound, a main floor with a corner fireplace, and an attic. There are openings on the E and N and indications of an opening on the S side.
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval settlement and defence. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The mound and tower 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
- Cymmer CastleDefenceunder 1 mi
- Coed Pen-y-Bryn Defended SettlementEnclosure - Defensiveunder 1 mi
- Foel Faner Defended EnclosureEnclosure - Defensiveunder 1 mi
- Arch at Maes-y-Bryner IsafDomesticunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.