Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Castell Heinif
St. David's and the Cathedral Close, Pembrokeshire, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Promontory Fort - coastal
- Period
- Prehistoric
- Date of designation
- 8 October 1952
- Community
- St. David's and the Cathedral Close
- Unitary authority
- Pembrokeshire
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 51.87420, -5.30809
- SAM number
- PE295
- Cadw record number
- 153
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 LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1608 "(13) Cambriae Typus." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Summary description and reason for designation
The following provides a general 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 sea cliffs 25m high under which lies Ogof Mary a natural arch. The narrow neck by which joins to the mainland on the east is defended by a two curving ramparts c 115m long. The inner bank measures about 2.5m high above the interior and 2.3m above the bottom of the ditch and held a stone revetment. The outer bank is of similar proportions. On the south east side a length of bank of lesser size lies for c 30m between the two main banks where it may have been related to arrangements for an entrance.
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.
Nearby in the register
- Lifeboat HouseMaritimeunder 1 mi
- Old Lifeboat HouseMaritimeunder 1 mi
- St Justinian's WellWater Supply and Drainageunder 1 mi
- Ruins of St Justinian's ChapelReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.