Ancient Monuments

History on the Ground

This site is entirely user-supported. See how you can help.

Castell Heinif

A Scheduled Monument in St. David's and the Cathedral Close (Tŷddewi a Chlos y Gadeirlan), Pembrokeshire (Sir Benfro)

We don't have any photos of this monument yet. Why don't you be the first to send us one?

Upload Photo »

Approximate Location Map
Large Map »

If Google Street View is available, the image is from the best available vantage point looking, if possible, towards the location of the monument. Where it is not available, the satellite view is shown instead.

Coordinates

Latitude: 51.8742 / 51°52'26"N

Longitude: -5.3081 / 5°18'29"W

OS Eastings: 172380

OS Northings: 224683

OS Grid: SM723246

Mapcode National: GBR C4.S01Q

Mapcode Global: VH0TK.Y553

Entry Name: Castell Heinif

Scheduled Date: 8 October 1952

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 153

Cadw Legacy ID: PE295

Schedule Class: Defence

Category: Promontory Fort - coastal

Period: Prehistoric

County: Pembrokeshire (Sir Benfro)

Community: St. David's and the Cathedral Close (Tŷddewi a Chlos y Gadeirlan)

Traditional County: Pembrokeshire

Description

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.

Source: Cadw

Other nearby scheduled monuments

AncientMonuments.uk is an independent online resource and is not associated with any government department. All government data published here is used under licence. Please do not contact AncientMonuments.uk for any queries related to any individual ancient or schedued monument, planning permission related to scheduled monuments or the scheduling process itself.

AncientMonuments.uk is a Good Stuff website.