Castell Madoc Ringwork

Castell Madog is a medieval earthwork mound in Powys, Wales. It stands near the village of Castell Madog, about five kilometres from Brecon. Unlike many castles, it lacks the usual surrounding defensive wall called a bailey. Built between the late 11th and mid-12th centuries, it was constructed from earth and stone with a ditch around it. The Normans introduced this type of fortification to Britain from France. Welsh rulers later adopted the design for their own defences. Cadw, Wales’ historic environment service, recognises the site and lists it as a scheduled monument under reference BR155. The area around the Welsh borders holds the largest concentration of such earthworks in Britain. This includes parts of Shropshire, Cheshire, Herefordshire, Powys and Flintshire. The site offers a quiet, grassy mound with views over the surrounding countryside. Visitors can walk around the ditch and earthworks to imagine how it once stood as a lookout post.