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The comprehensive gazetteer and bibliography of the medieval castles, fortifications and palaces of England, Wales, the Islands.
 
 
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Castell Gwern

In the community of Cwmavon.
In the historic county of Glamorgan.
Modern authority of Neath Port Talbot.
Preserved county of West Glamorgan.

OS Map Grid Reference: SS78859175
Latitude 51.61142° Longitude -3.75100°

Castell Gwern has been described as a Uncertain although is doubtful that it was such.

There are uncertain remains.

Description

Castle mention by Rice Merrick (c1520-87) as lying within Ynys-afan parish in the Afan valley. It was then in 'utter ruin', and, if genuinely medieval, was probably the work of the lords of Afan. (Davis 1988)
Comments

Ynys Afan is an old name of Cwmafan also known as Michaelston-super-Avon. The valley floor has been much disturbed by mining and development but the obvious feature likely to be taken as a castle in this area is Pen y Castle at SS788917, 'An oval enclosure, c.72m E-W by 32m, occupying the summit of a steep sided hill, defined by two concentric banks, or scarps, c.10m apart and having an E facing entrance' (Coflein NPRN 307232). The likely motte at Cwm Clais, Castell Bolan is in Cwmavon Community and may well have been in Ynys-afan parish but the site is not strictly in the Afan valley.
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This record last updated before 1 February 2016


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