BLAENPORTH CASTLE;CASTELL GWITHIAN

Site Details

NPRN
93916
Map Reference
SN24NE
Grid Reference
SN26544886
Unitary (Local) Authority
Ceredigion
Old County
Cardiganshire
Community
Aberporth
Type of Site
CASTLE
Broad Class
Defence
Period
Medieval

Site Description

Blaenporth Castle, with a possible borough enclosure, was established in 1110 and possibly destroyed in 1116. The present site includes a rather irregular enclosure, about 110m east-west by 85m, which rests on steep natural scarps above minor stream valleys. It is otherwise defined by a ditch and rampart, currently much degraded, on the south-west and south. On the east is an oval mound, about 40m north-east to south-west by 37m, and 4.4-7.0m high, having a dished oval summit. 'Brynawelan' occupies a subrectangular area at the foot of the mound, about 32m across, conceivably the site of an inner enclosure.

There are indications of a curvilinear ditched enclosure, about 40m across, set within the eastern part of the enclosed area.

J.Wiles, RCAHMW, 01 March 2004